Category Manager, IT

1st Executive; Bristol; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company is seeking a Procurement professional to enhance their IT capabilities and become an SME in Cloud technologies. This role offers a dynamic environment with significant projects underway, focusing on category management and supplier relationships, requiring strong negotiation and stakeholder engagement skills.

Qualifications

• Experience in Professional Services and IT.
• Ability to manage high-value negotiations.
• Confidence to propose innovative solutions.

Responsibilities

• Establish category plans aligned with business strategies.
• Execute sourcing strategies and lead negotiations.
• Develop governance frameworks for supplier management.

Skills

Negotiation

Problem Solving

Stakeholder Management

Job description

Job Description

This role is ideal for a Procurement professional seeking to gain more IT experience and develop into an SME in Cloud technologies. It offers a varied and engaging environment at a pivotal time for the organization, with numerous large projects and change initiatives underway.

The role requires a blend of experience in Professional Services, IT & Digital, with a need to understand software licenses. The focus will likely be on CLOUD (AWS) and Networks, while also supporting other Technology categories and suppliers.

Key Responsibilities

1. Category Management: Establish and maintain category plans aligned with business and technology strategies to create value, ensure resilience, mitigate risks, and meet technology roadmap and demand commitments.
2. Sourcing: Execute sourcing strategies based on category plans, lead end-to-end sourcing activities including market assessments, complex supplier negotiations, and contract implementation. Negotiate contracts, support supplier onboarding through thorough due diligence, and ensure compliance with company standards and policies. Focus on delivering commercial value and achieving savings targets.
3. Supplier Management: Develop a robust governance framework to manage supplier relationships, monitor performance and risk, and ensure ongoing value delivery throughout the contract lifecycle. Protect and enhance the Group's brand reputation.

Candidate Requirements

• Experience working across business units with senior stakeholders to develop category plans, build credibility, and drive cost savings.
• Ability to establish supplier resilience, governance, and performance management to mitigate risks.
• Strong negotiation and problem-solving skills, with experience in managing high-value, complex negotiations.
• Confidence to challenge existing processes and propose innovative ways of working, leveraging new technologies to secure sustainable savings and value.