Category Manager - IT

Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS); Havant; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A regional water supplier is seeking an experienced IT Category Manager to lead category plans and manage supplier relationships. This role involves driving compliance, continuous improvement, and delivering value throughout the contracting process. Ideal candidates will have strong negotiation skills, relevant qualifications, and a background in strategic sourcing. Join the team to contribute to innovative procurement practices and enhance service delivery.

Qualifications

• Ability to analyse and present complex data to stakeholders.
• Strong organizational skills to manage multiple workstreams.
• Experience in strategic sourcing in multi-stakeholder environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage end-to-end category plans for IT suppliers.
• Drive compliance with procurement regulations and enhance service delivery.
• Collaborate with leaders for cost reduction and efficiency.

Skills

Negotiation skills

Stakeholder management

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Education

CIPS or MCIPS qualification

Project management qualifications

Job description

Portsmouth Water are looking for a strategic and innovative professional to join our Procurement team, focusing on IT Category Management. In this role, you will lead and manage end-to-end category plans, identifying initiatives that maximise value and minimise commercial risk for Portsmouth Water.
You will be responsible for a portfolio of IT suppliers, ensuring continuous improvement and added value throughout the contract lifecycle. Your extensive IT category expertise and market insight will support internal stakeholders and inform sourcing strategies.
You will also lead sourcing initiatives, including tenders and negotiations, ensuring value delivery and regulatory compliance. This is a key role in shaping how Portsmouth Water delivers its IT services.

What will you be doing?
Key Responsibilities

• Support the development and continual improvement of procurement best practices across the full lifecycle, ensuring processes remain current and effective.
• Build strong, trusted relationships with internal stakeholders and external suppliers, with the ability to influence at senior levels.
• Deliver exceptional customer service to both internal teams and external partners, promoting clear and proactive communication.
• Promote continuous improvement in procurement procedures and working practices to enhance service delivery and efficiency.
• Manage IT category spend with high strategic impact, ensuring alignment with business goals and risk mitigation.
• Develop and implement category and demand strategies by engaging stakeholders to understand business needs and specifications.
• Lead commercial activities across the sourcing lifecycle, delivering value creation and minimising total cost of ownership.
• Collaborate with business leaders to drive cost reduction through standardisation, aggregation, and minimising tail spend.
• Ensure full compliance with utilities procurement regulations, statutory obligations, and data protection requirements throughout sourcing processes.
• Embed Portsmouth Water’s health, safety, and wellbeing values into sourcing strategies and supplier qualification processes.

What do you need?
Skills, Qualifications & Competencies

Essential

• Ability to analyse and present complex commercial/contractual data and concepts to a wide range of stakeholders
• Strong organisational skills and ability to manage multiple workstreams
• Solid negotiation, influencing and resolution skills
• Outstanding communication skills and customer service ethic with strong stakeholder engagement capabilities
• Self-starter – resilient and tenacious under pressure and willingness to develop skills and experience
• Knowledge of the water industry and/or IT category specific supply chain
• Experience of strategic sourcing in a multi-stakeholder environment and f working within multi-disciplinary teams
• Relevant transferable business and/or supply chain knowledge
• Track record in delivering against stretching target

Desirable

• Excellent proven commercial and contractual acumen
• Knowledge and experience of regulated procurement procedures (either UCR, PCR or PA23)
• CIPS or MCIPS qualified; or alternative qualifications in transferable expertise
• Project management experience or qualifications