d) at Xylem

Lainate, Lombardy, Italy

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Not SpecifiedCompensation

Senior (5 to 8 years), Expert & Leadership (9+ years)Experience Level

Full TimeJob Type

UnknownVisa

Water Technology, Procurement, AIIndustries

Requirements

Procurement expertise combined with strong AI fluency, understanding how artificial intelligence, data analytics, and digital platforms create business value
Curious, hands-on with emerging tools
Confident engaging both business and technical stakeholders to translate innovation into measurable impact

Responsibilities

Develop and execute the global category strategy for AI vendors (software, services, data)
Lead sourcing projects, including market analysis, RFPs, supplier evaluation, and contract negotiation
Support development and apply tailored procurement framework for AI: covering risk, IP protection, data privacy, and performance management
Conduct supplier benchmarking and market intelligence to ensure competitiveness and innovation
Establish framework agreements with key partners to enable scalable adoption
Maintain a category innovation roadmap aligned with business priorities and emerging AI technologies
Monitor total cost of ownership (TCO) and realized value from AI solutions
Build and maintain long-term relationships with strategic AI vendors and emerging innovators
Co-develop, pilot, and scale AI solutions that support business priorities
Track supplier KPIs and SLAs to ensure consistent delivery, compliance, and innovation
Represent Procurement in supplier performance reviews and steering committees
Run structured innovation reviews and capability assessments with suppliers
Develop supplier maturity to meet enterprise-grade standards in security and compliance
Act as the Procurement lead for AI sourcing initiatives in collaboration with IT, AI CoE, Legal, Cybersecurity, and business stakeholders
Collaborate with AI Navigators to operationalize vendor-provided AI solutions within the AI Tool Decision Tree process
Align sourcing activities with AI governance, budgets, and business cases
Partner with IT BRMs to forecast AI demand and integrate sourcing into project planning
Promote AI sourcing best practices and enable knowledge sharing across functions
Manage the lifecycle of AI vendor-supported programs, from pilot to global rollout, ensuring delivery on time, budget, and performance KPIs
Track procurement KPIs for AI transformation (savings, time-to-contract, innovation contribution)
Provide reporting and insights on supplier performance, market trends, and risk
Partner with Finance and stakeholders to measure ROI and realized value of AI initiatives
Co-develop and implement governance and compliance measures

Skills

Key technologies and capabilities for this role

Strategic SourcingContract NegotiationSupplier ManagementRFPMarket AnalysisAI ProcurementVendor ManagementProcurement StrategyDigital TransformationData Analytics

Questions & Answers

Common questions about this position

What is the employment type for this role?

This is a full-time position.

Is this role remote or does it require office presence?

This information is not specified in the job description.

What key skills are required for the Global Category Manager role?

The role requires procurement expertise, strong AI fluency, and the ability to engage business and technical stakeholders. Ideal candidates are curious, hands-on with emerging tools, and skilled in strategic sourcing, supplier management, and cross-functional collaboration.

What is the company culture like at Xylem?

Xylem fosters a culture dedicated to advancing sustainable impact, empowering employees, and exceeding customer expectations through innovative and sustainable water solutions.

What makes a strong candidate for this position?

A strong candidate combines procurement expertise with AI fluency, is hands-on with emerging tools, curious, and excels at engaging stakeholders to drive innovation and measurable impact.

Xylem

Water technology solutions for sustainability

About Xylem

Xylem focuses on developing solutions to tackle global water challenges through smart technology. The company provides a range of products and services aimed at ensuring water security and sustainability. Its offerings include advanced water pumps, treatment systems, and analytical instruments, as well as hydrographic software through its HYPACK brand, which is used by clients worldwide for managing water bodies. Xylem serves various clients, including municipalities, industrial companies, and agricultural businesses, helping them manage water resources efficiently and improve water quality. Unlike many competitors, Xylem combines both hardware and software solutions, allowing for a comprehensive approach to water management. The company's goal is to promote sustainability and address environmental concerns while meeting the increasing demand for eco-friendly water solutions.

Washington, District of ColumbiaHeadquarters

2011Year Founded

$356.2KTotal Funding

IPOCompany Stage

Data & Analytics, Industrial & Manufacturing, EnergyIndustries

10,001+Employees

Benefits

Professional Development – To advance the capabilities of our people, we offer a wide variety of experiences to support our employees’ professional growth and continuous learning.

Total Rewards – We offer comprehensive programs for compensation, benefits, recognition, learning and development, work-life integration and corporate citizenship.

Watermark – Watermark is our corporate social responsibility program working to provide education and access to safe water to ensure healthy lives, gender equality, and resilient communities. Employees have the opportunity to learn and volunteer on various water-related projects.

Employee Networks – Our Employee Networks provide a professional, supportive network for employees from diverse backgrounds, including Women’s, LGBT+ and Allies, Veteran’s, People of Color and Allies, Hispanic Origin & Latin Affinity, Emerging Leaders, and Working Parents Networks.

Risks

Emerging startups using AI and IoT may threaten Xylem's market share.

Rising raw material costs could impact Xylem's profit margins.

Global semiconductor shortage may delay Xylem's smart system production.

Differentiation

Xylem offers both hardware and software solutions for comprehensive water management.

The company focuses on sustainable and eco-friendly water technology innovations.

Xylem's HYPACK software is a leader in hydrographic and dredging applications.

Upsides

Xylem's acquisition of Idrica enhances its digital water utility market presence.

Growing interest in atmospheric water harvesting opens new market opportunities for Xylem.

Integration with ElectraMet boosts Xylem's industrial sector position in metals recovery.

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