Marcus Schlenker is the Head of IT Contract & Vendor Management at Infineon Technologies AG. He is based in Munich, Germany, and since 2013 globally responsible for the contracts of the IT organization, including IT for manufacturing. In his current role he leads the contract negotiations and contract management for any kind of IT Software, Hardware, Cloud Services, Professional Services and Outsourcing. Marcus has more than 25 years of experience in IT and Telecommunications. Marcus’s expertise spans contract and vendor management, supplier relationships and procurement processes, leveraging his extensive background in strategic sourcing and business development. He brings a deep understanding of technology and supplier ecosystems, helping Infineon navigate the complexities of global IT contract landscape. During his professional career he held several leading positions in Partner Management at Nokia`s Systems Integration Business and in Product Management and Business Development at Siemens Communications. Marcus graduated from the Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg and holds a diploma in electrical engineering.

The Pop in Your Job:
"Working with great people and building successful teams in an ever-changing technological and business environment is my every day motivation”

Åsmund Asland is an experienced IT Sourcing Manager at Storebrand, where he has also been managing the company’s software assets for over 11 years. As he transitions into the field of IT procurement, he expanded his expertise to encompass broader procurement strategies, integrating his background in Software Asset Management with an evolving focus on sourcing and vendor management. Åsmund has focused on contract management and sourcing software and cloud services, ensuring effective license management and compliance. Åsmund has worked with software and IT service agreements for more than 15 years in different roles, from sales, asset and contract management to sourcing and procurement.

The Pop in Your Job:
"To work in IT sourcing with SAM experience is an exciting task that combines technology and strategy. It is rewarding to help the business to find solutions, negotiate agreements and optimize usage. There is always an opportunity to chase, whether it is to realize a cost saving, secure a cost avoidance or support business strategy with good agreements with the right vendors."

ADVISORY BOARD

Louise Bäckman has been the Global IT Sourcing Manager at Essity since 2015, responsible for Global IT Applications and IT Services across the company’s business application portfolios. Her role involves developing and executing the IT Software Supply Stream Strategy in alignment with Essity's broader IT and Global Sourcing strategies. She collaborates closely with key stakeholders to drive cost-saving initiatives, optimize supplier portfolios, and implement effective Supplier Relationship Management frameworks tailored to market and business needs.
With extensive experience across sectors such as finance, legal, automotive, chemical, IT, and consumer goods, Louise has developed expertise in IT procurement, vendor and stakeholder management, contract negotiations, and sourcing strategy execution. Her skills also extend to supplier evaluation, process management, and strategic program development.
Before joining Essity, Louise held various strategic procurement roles at Volvo Group and Volvo Cars, focusing on IT services, software licensing, and supplier relationships. Her work has consistently centered on leveraging procurement strategies to foster innovation, cost efficiency, and robust vendor partnerships.

Over the past decade, Nick has amassed a wealth of invaluable experience in the SaaS industry. With a rich background encompassing both the buy and sell sides, Nick has been involved in thousands of SaaS transactions and has become a true expert in the field. His extensive knowledge and expertise have positioned him as an industry leader, guiding a global team of SaaS Procurement Managers to achieve remarkable results for customers and suppliers. 

Infineon Technologies AG is a global semiconductor leader in power systems and IoT. Infineon drives decarbonization and digitalization with its products and solutions. The Company had around 58,060 employees worldwide (end of September 2024) and generated revenue of about €15 billion in the 2024 fiscal year (ending 30 September). Infineon is listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (ticker symbol: IFX) and in the USA on the OTCQX International over-the-counter market (ticker symbol: IFNNY).

Storebrand is a leading financial services provider in the Nordic market, with a strong legacy spanning over 250 years. As Norway's largest private asset manager, Storebrand manages over NOK 1.3 trillion invested in companies worldwide. With more than 1.8 million customers in Norway and Sweden, the company takes its responsibility seriously, aiming to deliver both profitable and responsible investment strategies. Storebrand’s mission is to ensure a bright future for its clients, focusing on the creation of secure pension plans and investments that support a sustainable future. The company offers a wide range of financial products, including pension plans, savings, insurance, and banking services to individuals, businesses, and public institutions, with a strong commitment to meeting both financial and environmental goals.

Essity is a leading global hygiene and health company dedicated to improving well-being through our products and solutions, essentials for everyday life. The name Essity stems from the words essentials and necessities. Our sustainable business model creates value for people and nature. Sales are conducted in approximately 150 countries under the leading global brands TENA and Tork, and other strong brands, such as JOBST, Leukoplast, Libero, Libresse, Lotus, Nosotras, Saba, Tempo, Vinda and Zewa. Essity has about 46,000 employees. Net sales in 2020 amounted to approximately SEK 122bn (EUR 11.6bn). The company’s headquarters is located in Stockholm, Sweden, and Essity is listed on Nasdaq Stockholm. Essity breaks barriers to well-being and contributes to a healthy, sustainable and circular society

Vertice is a spend optimization platform that saves companies up to 30% on their SaaS and cloud costs. It empowers companies of every size and industry to get more visibility and control of their software and cloud spending and leverages automation and machine learning to deliver guaranteed cost savings. Today, Vertice manages over $3.4B in contract spend and is the only platform worldwide that empowers companies to view, control, and save on both SaaS and cloud costs with an integrated unified offering.