Category Manager - IT

JSS; Bolton; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Benefits package

Job summary

JSS in the Manchester area is seeking an IT Category Manager to own and drive procurement within the IT spend area. The role involves leading end-to-end procurement activities, from early engagement through tenders to award, with a strong emphasis on delivering value and cost efficiencies.

The successful candidate will collaborate with stakeholders, influence governance decisions and work with Finance on budgets and cost drivers.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of IT procurement management experience.
• Experience with e-sourcing/e-tendering systems.
• Ability to lead procurement activities and build procurement strategies.
• Ability to build credibility with internal stakeholders.
• Strong influencing and relationship-building skills across levels.
• Knowledge of Procurement Act, PCR/UCR, governance and public procurement principles.
• Demonstrated track record of adding value through procurement in IT categories.

Responsibilities

• Drive value through procurement activities, seeking efficiencies and benefits.
• Own the IT category and provide recommendations and commercial advice to stakeholders.
• Lead procurement and contract negotiation of goods and services and support contract commitments.
• Ensure supplier credentials comply with policies, governance and values.
• Identify procurement risks and opportunities and manage them.
• Lead end-to-end procurement: tenders, supplier evaluation, selection, and awards.
• Develop procurement strategies delivering value and efficiencies.
• Hold regular reviews with stakeholders and contract managers for planning and pipeline management.
• Ensure governance compliance with procurement policy in stakeholder discussions.
• Collaborate with Finance to identify cost drivers and review budgeting and reporting.

Skills

IT procurement

e-sourcing

Procurement strategy

Stakeholder management

Influencing skills

Public procurement laws

Value delivery

Job description

I am currently recruiting an IT Category Manager position for an exciting organisation in the Manchester area.

This is a critical role, taking ownership of a key spend area within a fast-paced business.

The role:

• Ability to drive value through procurement activities, seeking out efficiencies and benefits.
• Ownership of the IT category and being able to provide recommendations and commercial advise to stakeholders.
• Leading procurement and contract negotiation of goods and services, supporting contract committed obligations.
• Ensure that supplier credentials adhere to policies, procedures, governance, and values.
• Lead and Identify procurement related risks and opportunities and manage these effectively.
• Lead the end-to-end procurement activity via early engagement through to producing tenders, supplier evaluation, selection, contract negotiation and finalising awards.
• Produce and own procurement strategies which deliver value and efficiencies.
• Lead and manage regular reviews with relevant stakeholders and contract managers to deliver proactive contract planning and pipeline management.
• Endorse and influence governance compliance to internal stakeholders where procurement policy is required.
• Work closely with the Finance function, identifying cost drivers and reviewing strategic savings and benefits, based on agreed targets and budgets.
• Work with Finance to periodically review budgets for each area and provide support with reporting based on Procurement governance and contract negotiations.

Your profile:

• 3+ years’ experience in an IT Procurement Manager role
• Experience of procurement systems including e-sourcing/e-tendering
• Ability to work proactively and lead procurement activities including building procurement strategies.
• Ability to build credibility with internal stakeholders
• Well-developed influencing skills in managing effective working relationships with key stakeholders at all levels
• Working knowledge of Procurement Act, PCR/UCR legislation, governance requirements, and public procurement principles.
• Demonstrable track record of adding value through procurement in relevant category areas.

What’s on offer?

• £60,000-70,000 salary
• Highly competitive benefits package
• Hybrid working (2 days per week in the office)