Category Manager

James Fisher and Sons plc; United Kingdom; Remote; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Car Allowance

Private Medical Insurance

Life Assurance

Cycle to work scheme

Company Pension

Job summary

James Fisher and Sons plc, a global engineering services company, seeks a Group Category Manager for Enterprise Software and IT Infrastructure. You will own the commercial strategy for a multi‑million-pound technology spend, spanning ERP, software licensing, cloud, cyber security, and IT hardware.

You will lead negotiations, manage vendor relationships and drive measurable cost savings while aligning with IT, Finance and Legal stakeholders across the UK and international operations.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in IT procurement and commercial contract negotiation.
• Knowledge of software licensing, vendor management and licence compliance.
• Experience with ERP programmes, systems integration contracts and governance.
• Sourcing IT hardware, infrastructure and support services.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the enterprise software and IT infrastructure category strategy, driving sourcing activity and cost savings.
• Lead the commercial management of the Group ERP estate and software licensing.
• Optimise software licensing and reduce audit risk.
• Manage the commercial lifecycle of IT infrastructure, including hardware and support agreements.
• Negotiate contracts to secure favourable terms and risk controls.
• Manage renewals, expiries, and supplier relationships to maximise value.
• Lead supplier consolidation and performance management.
• Ensure governance and procurement policy compliance across IT categories.
• Deliver measurable cost savings and improvements across the portfolio.
• Collaborate with IT, Finance, Legal and business stakeholders on strategic sourcing.

Skills

IT procurement

Contract negotiation

Software & SaaS

IT infrastructure

Vendor management

Licence compliance

ERP programmes

Commercial governance

Sourcing IT hardware

Stakeholder management

Audit requirements

Procurement best practice

Education

Degree educated

CIPS / IACCM membership desirable

Job description

Group Category Manager – Enterprise Software & IT Infrastructure

Full-Time, Permanent

UK, Remote with travel

The Role:

As Group Category Manager – Enterprise Software & IT Infrastructure, you will lead the commercial strategy for a multi-million-pound technology spend portfolio, spanning enterprise applications, ERP, software licensing, cloud services, cyber security, telecommunications, and critical IT infrastructure.

Working at a Group level, you will drive value, reduce risk, influence major technology decisions, and establish the commercial frameworks that underpin our digital transformation initiatives.

This is a unique opportunity to take ownership of a strategically important category and build commercial leverage across a complex, evolving technology landscape.

What you'll be doing:

• Develop and deliver the enterprise software and IT infrastructure category strategy, driving sourcing activity, savings, and value creation.
• Lead the commercial management of the Group ERP estate, software licensing, and implementation partners.
• Optimise software licensing, reduce audit risk, and eliminate unnecessary spend.
• Manage the commercial lifecycle of IT infrastructure, including hardware, support agreements, and refresh programmes.
• Negotiate software and technology contracts to secure favourable commercial, service, and risk terms.
• Proactively manage renewals, contract expiries, and supplier relationships to maximise leverage and value.
• Lead supplier consolidation, performance management, and strategic vendor partnerships.
• Ensure compliance with procurement policies, governance requirements, and risk controls.
• Deliver measurable cost savings and commercial improvements across the category.
• Partner with IT, Finance, Legal, and business stakeholders to support strategic sourcing and investment decisions.

What we're looking for:

• Proven experience in IT procurement and commercial contract negotiation, particularly software, SaaS and IT infrastructure.
• Strong knowledge of software licensing, vendor management and licence compliance.
• Experience with ERP programmes, systems integration contracts and commercial governance.
• Expertise in sourcing IT hardware, infrastructure and support services.
• Track record of delivering category strategies, supplier rationalisation and cost savings.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence across IT, Finance, Legal and operational teams.
• Knowledge of contract controls, audit requirements and procurement best practice.
• Degree educated; CIPS and/or World Commerce & Contracting (IACCM) membership desirable.
• Experience within regulated or defence-related environments advantageous.
• Competitive salary and benefits package aligned with experience (Car Allowance, Private Medical Insurance, Life Assurance, Cycle to work scheme, Company Pension, etc.)
• Clear pathways for career development and organisational visibility.
• Inclusive and supportive culture that values individual contributions.
• Meaningful work with impact across safety, innovation, and global operations.

About Us:

James Fisher is a global engineering services company with over 50 years of experience delivering complex offshore energy projects in some of the world’s most challenging environments. We operate across Energy, Defence, and Maritime Transport, leveraging cutting-edge technology and deep expertise to support the full lifecycle of our customers’ assets.

Our One James Fisher strategy unites our capabilities under a single vision, building a stronger, more cohesive business within the Blue Economy.

Visit our website at: Home | James Fisher and Sons plc

For more information about our values and behaviours, follow the link: About us | James Fisher and Sons plc

At James Fisher and Sons, we are committed to taking positive action on diversity and strongly encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and recognise that our success is driven by the talent and diversity of our workforce.

To support an accessible and inclusive recruitment experience in the UK, we partner with Vercida. You can learn more about our approach by visiting our company page: James Fisher and Sons diversity, inclusion, culture - VERCIDA