Category Manager - IT

Robert Walters; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading university in the UK seeks a Category Manager - IT to guide procurement strategies in a dynamic setting. This role encompasses managing software, hardware, and cloud services contracts while promoting digital innovation. With opportunities for professional growth and hybrid working options, you'll influence the university's technological transformation.

Benefits

Flexible hybrid working arrangements

Generous annual leave

Excellent pension schemes

Continuous professional development opportunities

Access to on-site facilities and staff discounts

Qualifications

• Experience in IT procurement within complex or regulated environments.
• Familiarity with software licensing and cloud service delivery.
• Strong understanding of public procurement regulations.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic sourcing and supplier management across IT.
• Oversee contract negotiations for software and cloud services.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to understand technical needs.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Supplier management

Contract negotiation

Attention to detail

Understanding of public procurement regulations

Education

CIPS qualification or equivalent experience

Job description

Robert Walters is proud to be working on a retained basis with The University of Manchester, one of the UK's leading Universities, to recruit a Category Manager - IT. This key role will lead strategic sourcing and supplier management across IT, digital infrastructure, software, and tech services within a complex and high-impact environment.

The University of Manchester, a globally respected institution, is seeking a Category Manager - Information Technology to join their forward-thinking Procurement Team. This is an exceptional opportunity for you to shape the digital future of one of the UK's most prestigious universities by leading IT and digital procurement strategies that underpin vital technology transformation projects. With hybrid working options and access to outstanding benefits, this role offers the chance to make a meaningful impact in a supportive and inclusive environment where your expertise will be valued and your professional growth encouraged.

• Join a world-leading Russell Group university with a strong commitment to digital innovation, sustainability, and staff wellbeing, where your work will directly support academic excellence and technological advancement.
• Enjoy flexible hybrid working arrangements, generous annual leave including closure days, excellent pension schemes (USS or LGPS), and comprehensive wellbeing support as part of an inclusive and collaborative team.
• Benefit from continuous professional development opportunities, access to on-site facilities, staff discounts, and the chance to build your network within a renowned higher education institution.

What you'll do:

As Category Manager - Information Technology at the University of Manchester, you will take ownership of a diverse portfolio encompassing software acquisition, hardware procurement, cloud infrastructure management, licensing negotiations, and managed service contracts. Your day-to-day responsibilities will involve collaborating with cross-functional teams to understand evolving technical needs while driving value through competitive tendering processes. You will be instrumental in managing supplier relationships ensuring compliance with regulatory frameworks - and contributing towards broader institutional goals like cyber security resilience and digital sustainability. Success in this role requires you to balance strategic planning with hands-on contract management while maintaining open communication channels with both internal stakeholders and external partners.

• Develop and implement effective category strategies across all IT, digital, and technology service areas to ensure alignment with the university's strategic objectives.
• Lead high-value tenders and complex contract negotiations for software, hardware, cloud solutions, digital infrastructure, licensing agreements, and managed services while ensuring compliance with regulations.
• Collaborate closely with IT Services teams and other key stakeholders across the university to understand technical requirements and future plans for digital transformation.
• Deliver measurable value through competitive procurement processes, demand management initiatives, and fostering supplier-driven innovation that supports business-critical services.
• Manage supplier relationships proactively by overseeing contracts for software licensing, SaaS providers, cloud-based services, and ensuring ongoing performance meets agreed standards.
• Contribute actively to data governance initiatives by supporting cyber security measures and promoting digital sustainability goals throughout procurement activities.
• Support the university's commitment to ESG (Environmental, Social & Governance) principles by integrating sustainability considerations into IT sourcing decisions.
• Champion accessibility in IT sourcing by ensuring products and services meet relevant standards for inclusively.

What you bring:

In this Category Manager - Information Technology position at the University of Manchester, your background in IT procurement will be essential for navigating complex regulatory environments while delivering value-driven outcomes. Your interpersonal skills will allow you to collaborate effectively with colleagues from diverse backgrounds whether they are technical experts or administrative professionals ensuring everyone's needs are understood and addressed. A deep understanding of public sector frameworks combined with practical experience negotiating contracts for software licensing or cloud services will set you apart.

• Demonstrated experience in IT procurement within complex or regulated environments where attention to detail and compliance are paramount.
• Good understanding of public procurement regulations ensures you can navigate complex compliance requirements confidently.
• Familiarity with software licensing models, digital frameworks such as G-Cloud or similar platforms, and cloud-based service delivery mechanisms.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement skills that enable you to build trusted relationships across technical teams and non-technical departments alike.
• Strong supplier management capabilities including contract negotiation experience for SaaS providers or large-scale technology vendors.
• CIPS qualification (or working towards) or equivalent professional experience that demonstrates your commitment to best practice procurement methodologies.
• Ability to contribute meaningfully to data governance initiatives by supporting cyber risk mitigation strategies within IT sourcing activities.
• Awareness of ESG factors including digital sustainability and accessibility influencing modern IT procurement decisions within higher education or public sector settings.

'The University of Manchester are an equal opportunities employer we welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of age, sex, gender (or gender identity), ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation and transgender status. All appointments are made on merit.'

Robert Walters Operations Limited is an employment business and employment agency and welcomes applications from all candidates