Category Manager - ICT

Butler Ross Limited; Reading; Hybrid; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A not-for-profit organisation is looking for an IT Category Manager to lead the strategic development and implementation of national framework agreements in the education sector across the south of England. The role involves managing supplier relationships, ensuring high standards, and engaging with key stakeholders. Candidates should have strong leadership experience and a background in complex procurement, particularly within the IT category. The position offers flexible working, generous holidays, and a dynamic work environment.

Benefits

Flexible working - one day a week in our Reading office

Generous holiday allowance of 38 days

Participation in a company pension plan

Investment in development of competencies

Qualifications

• Proven experience in strategic category management and complex procurement within IT category.
• Strong knowledge of public procurement regulations.
• Demonstrable leadership and management experience.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver category strategies across IT.
• Oversee procurement and management of national framework agreements.
• Manage supplier relationships to ensure high standards.

Skills

Strategic category management

Complex procurement

Stakeholder engagement

Commercial acumen

Analytical ability

Job description

A fantastic opportunity to join a not-for-profit organisation working within the education sector across the south of England. The Category Manager (ICT) will lead the strategic development, implementation, and ongoing management of national framework agreements primarily within the IT category. Operating within a dynamic and collaborative environment, you will ensure that value for money, innovation, and sector-wide benefits are consistently delivered to members.

Principal Responsibilities of the IT Category Manager

• Develop and deliver category strategies across IT and other categories, ensuring they align with the strategic objectives and deliver measurable value to members.
• Lead complex supplier negotiations and oversee the procurement and management of major national framework agreements.
• Build and maintain effective, trusted relationships with member institutions, their procurement teams, and key stakeholders.
• Actively sector bodies, and professional networks, representing the organisation across the wider higher education landscape.
• Manage strategic supplier relationships to ensure high standards of delivery, continuous improvement, and innovation.
• Ensure framework agreements meet performance expectations, including contractual compliance, supplier delivery, and stakeholder satisfaction.
• Drive ongoing supplier performance and contract lifecycle management through robust monitoring, review, and corrective action as needed.
• Carry out spend analysis reviews in order to identify and develop savings opportunity assessments, undertaking benchmarking where possible to support this.
• Maintain the procurement pipeline for the accountable category areas. Ensure the pipeline is continually reviewed to ensure it remains consistent with the strategic aims and objectives of the business and of any significant development in the respective supply markets.
• Provide effective leadership, support, and performance management to a team of Category Managers
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performing team culture, encouraging continuous improvement and skills development.
• Ensure all procurement activities adhere to relevant legislation, framework rules, and internal policies, promoting ethical, transparent, and compliant practices.

Person Specification of the IT Category Manager

Proven experience in strategic category management and complex procurement within IT category.

• Strong knowledge of public procurement regulations and frameworks.
• Demonstrable leadership and line management experience, with the ability to motivate and develop high-performing teams.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement, influencing and communication skills.
• Commercial acumen, analytical ability, and a commitment to value for money.
• Contract Management experience within Public Contracting Regulations, ideally with experience of having led on placing major frameworks, or use of them with the ability to drive a broad and diverse set of contracts

Benefits for the IT Category Manager Position

• Flexible working - one day a week in our Reading office
• Generous holiday allowance of 38 days, including bank holidays and closure days
• Participation in a company pension plan
• A dynamic work environment where new ideas and innovations are welcomed
• Investment in the development of your competencies, with guidance and support
• The opportunity to support a values-focused sector

This role would suit a procurement professional who has held position of Category Manager, Procurement Manager, Sourcing Manager or Commercial Manager with experience of the the IT / ICT Category