> Markdown version of [/jobs/ext/4155502-it-category-lead](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/jobs/ext/4155502-it-category-lead). Every page supports `.md` or `Accept: text/markdown`. Links point to the HTML versions so they work for humans too. Agent guide: [/agents.md](https://www.wearedevelopers.com/agents.md). --- # IT Category Lead - **Company:** BSI-Group - **Location:** London, UK - **Experience:** Expert - **Contract:** Permanent contract - **Skills:** Cloud Computing, Information Technology - **Published:** October 20, 2026 - **Apply:** https://wd3.myworkdaysite.com/recruiting/bsigroup/BSI_Careers/job/Covent-Garden/IT-Category-Lead_JR0021011-1 ## About the Role * Significant experience in IT category management and complex technology sourcing, including areas such as software, hardware, cloud or IT services. * A proven track record leading high-value, high-risk sourcing and negotiations with senior stakeholders. * Strong commercial and contracting expertise across statements of work, pricing or rate models, performance frameworks and change or exit controls. * Strong understanding of strategic supplier management within technology environments. * Excellent senior stakeholder influencing skills with the confidence to challenge requirements and shape commercial decisions. * Strong analytical capability to interpret spend data, market insight and commercial options and build business cases. * Experience operating within governance-led, audit-ready procurement environments. * Understanding of sustainable procurement principles and ESG frameworks such as ISO 20400, EcoVadis or equivalent. * Ability to operate effectively with ambiguity, framing commercial risks, options and recommendations clearly. * Relevant degree or equivalent professional experience. Do you believe the world deserves excellence? ## Description We are looking for an IT Category Lead to shape and deliver procurement strategies across some of BSI's most commercially significant and risk-sensitive technology spend areas. Covering Software, IT Services, Telecommunications and Cloud, you will take end-to-end accountability for commercial outcomes and strategically important third-party relationships that underpin BSI's digital and operational capabilities. A key part of the role is influencing decisions early - bringing commercial rigour into scope definition, supplier selection and delivery model design before commitments are made, rather than trying to optimise value after the decision., * Develop and own multi-year category strategies and annual plans across Software, IT Services, Telecommunications and Cloud. * Build category insight using spend data, demand drivers, supplier economics and market benchmarking. * Identify and quantify opportunities across savings, cost avoidance, service improvement, resilience and risk reduction. * Translate category strategy into prioritised sourcing pipelines aligned to technology and business plans. * Act as the primary commercial authority for IT sub-categories, challenging scope, supplier selection and commercial approach where appropriate. * Partner with senior technology and business stakeholders to shape requirements and influence decisions ahead of investment and supplier engagement. * Lead complex end-to-end sourcing, evaluation, negotiation and award activities across strategic technology spend. * Negotiate robust commercial arrangements covering pricing, deliverables, intellectual property, liability, performance, change and exit requirements. * Manage strategic supplier relationships through structured governance, KPIs, performance reviews, improvement plans and renewal strategies. * Embed appropriate due diligence, procurement controls and audit-ready documentation across sourcing and supplier management. * Integrate sustainability and responsible procurement considerations into category strategy, supplier selection and performance management.