IT Category Manager

As IT Category Manager, you will take ownership of an international IT category portfolio, with a particular focus on Software, SaaS and IT Professional Services.You will lead complex end-to-end sourcing activity, contract negotiations and renewals, while developing category plans and building strong relationships with senior technology stakeholders. The role has significant exposure across the technology leadership team and requires someone comfortable acting as a genuine procurement business partner.Key areas will include:

• Software, SaaS and Cloud sourcing
• IT Professional Services, including application development, testing and managed services
• Outsourced and offshore/nearshore technology services
• Complex RFP/RFx activity and supplier negotiations
• Contract and commercial negotiations
• Category planning and market analysis
• Supplier management and contract ownership
• Working across multiple sourcing projects and stakeholder groups simultaneously

You will have strong experience within IT procurement, sourcing or category management, with demonstrable depth across Software/SaaS and ideally IT Professional Services.You will be comfortable handling complex technology contracts and commercial terms, with enough contractual knowledge to challenge terms and take ownership of negotiations rather than relying entirely on Legal. You will also need:

• Experience leading end-to-end strategic sourcing projects
• Strong Software/SaaS procurement knowledge
• Experience developing and implementing category plans
• Excellent commercial and contractual negotiation skills
• Confidence partnering with CIO-level and senior technology stakeholders
• Experience working within complex organisations
• The ability to manage multiple priorities and sourcing projects concurrently
• A proactive, curious and high-energy approach, with a willingness to take ownership

Experience within insurance, financial services or another regulated environment would be beneficial but is not essential. What you’ll get in return This is an opportunity to take genuine ownership of a broad, international IT category within a well-established procurement function, with direct exposure to senior technology leadership and significant business-critical technology spend.You’ll work across complex Software, SaaS and Professional Services requirements, with the opportunity to shape category strategy rather than simply execute individual sourcing exercises.The organisation will also support continued professional development, including CIPS, alongside a hybrid working pattern of three days per week in the London office.