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# Category Specialist - IT

- **Company:** Distinct Recruitment Ltd.
- **Location:** Derby, UK
- **Salary:** £47,440.0
- **Contract:** Permanent contract
- **Skills:** Artificial Intelligence, Cyber Security, Interoperability, Procurement Software
- **Published:** September 18, 2026
- **Apply:** https://www.reed.co.uk/jobs/category-specialist-it/57359206

## About the Role

* Significant procurement or category management experience.
 * Previous Digital and Data/IT procurement and contract management experience.
 * Experience managing complex procurement exercises and contracts.
 * Strong commercial and supplier-management skills.
 * The ability to work autonomously and use sound commercial judgement.
 * Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills.
 * The confidence to work with technical specialists and senior stakeholders.

Previous experience within the NHS, healthcare or wider public sector would be advantageous, as would knowledge of public procurement regulations/frameworks and a CIPS qualification or equivalent experience.

## Description

Reporting to the Head of Procurement, you'll take responsibility for developing category strategies and delivering complex, high-value procurement activity across Digital and Data.

You'll work closely with Digital, Data, Clinical, Operational, Finance and Governance teams, providing commercial expertise throughout the procurement lifecycle and helping the organisation achieve value for money while maintaining appropriate governance, service resilience and supplier performance., * Develop and deliver Digital and Data category strategies.

 * Lead complex, high-value procurement and sourcing exercises from initial market engagement through to evaluation and contract award.
 * Support major digital transformation programmes across cloud, infrastructure, EPR, cyber security, interoperability, data and AI technologies.
 * Provide commercial advice around contract structures, pricing models and risk.
 * Manage key technology suppliers and strategic supplier relationships.
 * Monitor supplier performance against contractual obligations, SLAs, KPIs and quality standards.
 * Manage commercial and supplier risk, including data protection, information governance and cyber security considerations.
 * Use market intelligence, benchmarking, spend analysis and data to inform commercial decisions.
 * Work closely with senior stakeholders to translate technical and operational requirements into effective procurement strategies.
 * Support wider procurement and cost-improvement activity across the organisation where required.


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