Category Manager - IT FTC

Places for People; Cuerden Green; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading social enterprise in the UK is seeking a Category Manager – IT to enhance procurement strategies and drive value across the organization. The role involves managing end-to-end procurement processes, aligning strategies with organizational goals, and fostering team collaboration. Candidates should possess significant experience in procurement and category management, with strong negotiation skills. The position offers competitive benefits and emphasizes a commitment to an inclusive workplace.

Benefits

Competitive salary with yearly review

Pension with matched contributions up to 7%

Up to 35 days annual leave

Healthcare cashback plan up to £500 annual saving

2% bonus scheme for all colleagues

Training and development opportunities

Discounts on shopping and entertainment

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience in IT category management and strategic sourcing.
• Strong commercial acumen with the ability to influence business decisions.
• Skilled in developing and implementing category strategies.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of the IT category and develop procurement strategies.
• Manage end-to-end procurement processes ensuring compliance.
• Lead and motivate a team while building strong stakeholder relationships.

Skills

Procurement experience

Category management

Strategic sourcing

Commercial acumen

Negotiation skills

Job description

At Places for People, we hire People, not numbers! So, if you like the sound of one of our jobs, please apply - you could be just whowe'relooking for! Of course, experience andtrack recordare important, butwe'remore interested in hiring someone that embodies our People Promises. That'ssomeone that does the right thing, is enthusiastic and motivated to grow, believes in Community spirit, is respectful and enjoys their work. As the UK's leading SocialEnterprisewe'rededicated to creating inclusive and thriving Communities for both our Customers and Employees.

So, what are you waiting for? Join a community that cares about you!

Are you ready to lead strategic procurement in the fast-moving world of technology? We’re looking for a Category Manager – IT to drive value, efficiency, and innovation across our organisation. This is a fantastic opportunity to shape IT procurement strategies that deliver real impact.

The role is FTC for 12 months

More about the role

In this role, you’ll take ownership of the IT category, developing and implementing strategies that align with organisational goals. You’ll manage end-to-end procurement processes, ensuring compliance and delivering value for money.

Leading and motivating a small team, you’ll foster collaboration and continuous improvement while building strong relationships with stakeholders across IT, Finance, and Legal.

More About You

You’ll have experience in procurement, with a strong track record in category management and strategic sourcing. Your commercial acumen and negotiation skills will enable you to influence decisions and deliver value. Experience in managing and developing teams is essential, along with a deep understanding of IT markets and supplier capabilities.

The essential Criteria

• Experience in procurement, with demonstrable experience in IT category management and strategic sourcing.
• Strong commercial acumen with the ability to deliver value and influence business decisions.
• Skilled in developing and implementing category strategies, sourcing plans, and robust procurement recommendations in the IT category

The benefits

• Competitive salary, with a salary review yearly
• Pension with matched contributions up to 7%
• Excellent holiday package – up to 35 days annual leave with the option to buy or sell leave
• Cashback plan for healthcare costs – up to £500 saving per year
• A bonus scheme for all colleagues at 2%
• Training and development
• Extra perks including huge discounts and offers from shops, cinemas and much more

What's next?

If you meet the criteria and are ready to make the next step in your career then click apply. You will be redirected to our careers site where you can discover more about the role, read a full job description and apply directly to us.

As part of our commitment to diversity and inclusion, we offer a guaranteed interview to candidates who are disabled, neurodiverse, or have served in the Armed Forces, provided they meet the essential criteria for the role. If you would like to be considered under this scheme, please indicate this in your application. We are dedicated to creating a supportive and accessible recruitment process for all.

We are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. If you require any reasonable adjustments to support your application or interview experience, please let us know. We're happy to work with you to ensure you have the opportunity to perform at your best.

If you are a Places for People customer and you're looking for support with your application, please contact our skills and employment team on [e-mail].

We understand the importance of a supportive and inclusive work culture so please talk to us at interview about flexibility you may need. We can't promise to give you exactly what you want, but we promise not to judge you for asking. For this role we are open to discussing the possibility of reduced hours, flexible start and finish times or compressed hours.

If you are a recruitment agency please note we operate a PSL and do not take cold calls.

Safeguarding

At Places for People, safeguarding is everyone's responsibility. We are committed to creating safe communities for our customers and colleagues by protecting children, young people, and adults at risk from harm, abuse, and neglect.

We follow robust safeguarding policies and procedures, ensuring all employees, volunteers, and contractors uphold the highest standards of safeguarding and accountability. Our recruitment process includes pre-employment checks, including Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks where applicable, to promote a safe and secure working environment.

By joining Places for People, you are expected to contribute to our safeguarding culture, following our policies and reporting concerns to protect those in our communities.