Manager – IT and Digital Category

Department of Finance - Abu Dhabi; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 720,000 - 960,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Finance - Abu Dhabi seeks an experienced senior procurement leader to own the IT category. The role requires developing and executing a comprehensive IT category strategy, negotiating with major IT suppliers, and leading supplier performance management across software, hardware, cloud services, and IT infrastructure.

You will collaborate with CIO/IT teams and senior stakeholders to align procurement with digital transformation priorities and governance frameworks, driving value

Qualifications

• 10+ years of relevant procurement/strategic sourcing experience
• Significant IT Category Management experience
• Experience managing high-value IT procurement portfolios
• Proven SRM, negotiations, and supplier development track record
• Demonstrated cost savings, value optimization, and commercial improvements
• Experience collaborating with CIO/IT leadership and other senior stakeholders
• Bachelor’s degree in Procurement, Supply Chain, Business Administration, Finance, IT or related field
• CIPS or equivalent qualification preferred
• IT, technology or category-management certifications are a plus
• Government or large enterprise experience is desirable

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end IT category management lifecycle including spend analysis, market analysis, sourcing strategy, supplier segmentation, and performance management.
• Develop, implement, and update IT Category Strategy aligned with procurement plan and priorities.
• Lead strategic negotiations with key IT suppliers for favorable terms and SLAs.
• Establish and maintain SRM frameworks for strategic IT suppliers; monitor and improve performance against KPIs.
• Identify opportunities to consolidate suppliers and optimize the IT supplier portfolio.
• Partner with IT stakeholders to translate business requirements into commercially viable procurement solutions.
• Provide procurement leadership for major IT projects and digital transformation initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with procurement policies, delegation of authority, governance, and regulations.
• Develop business cases and recommendations for strategic sourcing decisions, supplier selections, and renewals.
• Monitor IT market developments and benchmark pricing and supplier practices for continuous improvement

Skills

IT procurement

Category management

Supplier relationship management

Strategic negotiations

Spend analysis

RFPs and tenders

Contract management

Stakeholder engagement

IT governance

Market intelligence

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Procurement, Supply Chain, Business or IT

CIPS certification or equivalent

Professional procurement/supply chain qualification

Job description

Lead and manage the IT procurement category, developing and implementing a comprehensive category management strategy that delivers optimal value, cost efficiency, innovation, supplier performance, and risk management.

The role is responsible for establishing a strategic approach to IT sourcing and supplier relationship management, ensuring that procurement activities are aligned with the Department’s business objectives, technology strategy, procurement policy, and long-term digital transformation priorities.

The position will provide strategic procurement leadership across the IT category, leveraging strong category management expertise, commercial acumen, supplier market knowledge, and a sound understanding of IT products, services, technologies, and market dynamics.

• Develop, implement, and continuously update the IT Category Strategy and Category Plan, aligned with the Department’s Procurement Plan and business priorities.
• Lead the end-to-end category management lifecycle for IT spend, including spend analysis, demand management, market analysis, sourcing strategy, supplier segmentation, contract strategy, and performance management.
• Analyze historical and projected IT spend to identify cost-saving, cost-avoidance, consolidation, standardization, and value-creation opportunities.
• Develop strategic sourcing strategies for IT products and services, including software, hardware, cloud services, IT infrastructure, cybersecurity, telecommunications, professional services, managed services, and emerging technologies.
• Establish and maintain a strong understanding of the IT supplier market, technology trends, commercial models, pricing structures, and emerging solutions.
• Lead strategic negotiations with key IT suppliers to achieve optimal commercial terms, service levels, contractual protections, and long-term value.
• Establish and maintain effective Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) frameworks for strategic and critical IT suppliers.
• Monitor and evaluate supplier performance against contractual KPIs, SLAs, quality standards, delivery commitments, and commercial obligations.
• Develop supplier performance improvement plans and lead corrective actions where required.
• Identify opportunities to consolidate suppliers, leverage enterprise-wide spend, establish preferred suppliers, and optimize the Department’s IT supplier portfolio.
• Partner with IT stakeholders to understand business requirements, challenge demand where appropriate, and identify commercially and technically viable procurement solutions.
• Provide procurement leadership and commercial advice for major IT projects, digital transformation initiatives, technology implementations, and strategic technology investments.
• Ensure sourcing and category management activities comply with applicable procurement policies, procedures, Delegation of Authority, governance requirements, and applicable regulations.
• Lead and oversee complex RFPs, tenders, RFQs, negotiations, and strategic sourcing exercises within the IT category.
• Develop business cases and commercial recommendations for strategic sourcing decisions, supplier selection, contract renewals, and major procurement initiatives.
• Monitor IT market developments and benchmark pricing, commercial models, and supplier practices to identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Establish category-level KPIs and dashboards covering savings, spend, supplier performance, competition, contract coverage, sourcing effectiveness, and value delivered.
• Identify and proactively manage commercial, supplier, operational, technology, and supply-chain risks within the IT category.
• Support the development and implementation of procurement digitalization, automation, and data-driven procurement initiatives.
• Promote innovation through engagement with the IT supplier market and identification of new technologies, solutions, and alternative commercial models.
• Provide regular management reports and strategic insights on IT procurement performance, risks, opportunities, and priorities.

Experience and Qualifications

• 10+ years of relevant professional experience in procurement, strategic sourcing, supply chain, or category management, preferably within a large organization or government environment.
• Significant experience in IT Category Management, with demonstrable responsibility for developing and implementing IT category strategies.
• Strong experience managing complex IT procurement portfolios and high-value strategic sourcing initiatives.
• Demonstrated experience in IT supplier relationship management, including strategic supplier segmentation, performance management, negotiations, and supplier development.
• Proven track record of delivering measurable cost savings, cost avoidance, value optimization, and commercial improvements.
• Strong experience in strategic negotiations and complex commercial arrangements with major technology suppliers.
• Experience working closely with CIO/IT leadership, technology teams, Finance, Legal, and other senior stakeholders.
• Experience in developing and implementing category plans based on spend analysis, market intelligence, demand analysis, and supplier assessment.
• Experience managing complex RFPs, tenders, framework agreements, managed services, software licensing, cloud services, technology consulting, and/or IT infrastructure procurement.
• Experience managing strategic suppliers and resolving complex commercial and performance issues.
• Experience in a government, semi-government, or large enterprise environment is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional teams and strategic procurement initiatives.
• Proven ability to operate at a senior level and provide credible commercial and strategic advice to senior management.
• Bachelor’s degree in Procurement, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Finance, Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related discipline.
• A relevant professional procurement or supply chain qualification is preferred, such as CIPS or equivalent.
• Professional certification in IT, technology, or related areas would be an advantage.
• Relevant qualifications in contract management, strategic sourcing, supplier relationship management, or category management would be advantageous.