Category Manager (IT)

Role overview This is a summary of the role and their objectives

The Category Manager is responsible for end-to-end sourcing and commercial activity across defined spend areas. It supports the delivery of category and sub-category strategies, driving cost savings, managing supplier and commercial risk, and making sure procurement activity meets governance requirements.

This role delivers sourcing activity across a range of IT categories, adhering to the established category strategies and commercial approaches. It supports technology sourcing decisions by working with stakeholders and suppliers across multiple IT spend areas.

The role leads complex sourcing activity, negotiations and supplier engagement. The role works closely with senior stakeholders to shape approaches, make decisions and deliver outcomes across multiple initiatives. It contributes directly to procurement performance, value delivery and risk management.

Role accountabilities What will they be delivering? Category and sub-category strategies are applied and delivered through clear sourcing plans Cost savings and value opportunities are identified and delivered through proactive spend and supplier management Competitive sourcing leads to the right supplier choices, strong commercial terms and managed risk Complex commercial negotiations successfully securing contracts that balance cost, risk and business needs Supplier and commercial risks are identified early and addressed through sourcing and supplier decisions Stakeholders are influenced and challenged to support clear, well-informed commercial decisions Procurement governance is applied consistently, with the right controls, approvals and documentation in place Procurement input supports bids and wider business initiatives, contributing to successful outcomes Sourcing and contracts deliver ongoing value and support longer-term category and business priorities, Successful delivery of annual savings target Successful delivery of annual non-savings targets Spend portfolio meets compliance to Procurement policy targets Positive stakeholder feedback Key customers, people & partners Who will they interact/engage with (internal & external) Commercial Legal Finance Risk Budget and spend owners across the organization Third party suppliers

Essential skills and experience What strengths, skills and experience are needed to do this role? Knowledge & experience Experience delivering sourcing or category activity across defined spend areas Understanding of category strategies and how they translate into sourcing activity Experience running sourcing processes and supplier negotiations Experience working with stakeholders to shape requirements and progress activity Understanding of supplier management and contract performance Experience managing multiple sourcing activities and keeping delivery on track Experience delivering IT sourcing activity across multiple categories (e.g. software, services, cloud, hardware) Experience working with technology suppliers and progressing sourcing activity end-to-end Experience in an organisation where supplier selection is strongly driven by client demand

Attributes/qualities (soft skills) Commercially aware, able to make balanced decisions on cost, risk and value Confident working with stakeholders to progress activity and decisions Takes ownership of delivery and follows work through to completion Organised and able to manage competing priorities Willing to challenge appropriately and escalate where needed Proactive in identifying issues and opportunities Ability to communicate with and influence stakeholders across separate internal businesses to achieve overall optimal outcomes Qualification(s) or technical skills Experience in procurement, category management or a related role Strong working knowledge of sourcing processes and negotiations Understanding of procurement governance, policy and controls Confident using procurement systems and data to support activity Understanding of supplier performance and contract basics Working knowledge of IT commercial models (e.g. SaaS, licensing, services) Ability to run sourcing and negotiations for technology products and services, including software, cloud and IT services Desirable skills and experience It would be great if they had… MCIPS (or working towards) - preferred Experience managing Hardware and Telecoms spend Key performance indicators How will they be measured?