Category Specialist - Technology

Primark; Reading; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare

Pension

Bonus

Leave 27 days

Bank holidays and buy 5 more

Tax Saver Tickets

Fitness centre

Cafeteria discount

Job summary

Primark is seeking a Category Specialist - Technology in Reading. This hybrid role offers 1-2 days working from home, with a strong focus on developing and executing the Technology category strategy across software, SaaS, cloud, and hardware.

You will analyse spend, manage supplier performance, and negotiate contracts to drive value and mitigate risk. The ideal candidate will bring 5+ years in procurement, deep tech procurement experience, and strong negotiation skills.

Qualifications

• 5+ years’ experience in Procurement.
• Technology procurement including software/SaaS, cloud, hardware and services.
• Strong negotiation skills with experience managing contracts.

Responsibilities

• Support the development and execution of the Technology category strategy across software, SaaS, cloud and hardware.
• Analyse spend, supplier performance, contracts, and market trends to identify cost-saving opportunities.
• Lead sourcing activities, supplier negotiations and contract renewals.
• Build relationships with stakeholders, suppliers and offshore delivery partners.
• Drive supplier governance, performance management and continuous improvement.
• Leverage data and analytics to improve procurement efficiency and ensure governance compliance.

Job description

Category Specialist - Technology

Because we strive to put people first. Culture, our way.

Procurement at Primark

What’s a career at Primark all about? The positive impact you’re making, the experiences you’re having and the people you’re with. You’re our inspiration. Embrace what sets you apart, own your career and develop in ways you never expected. Leave your mark. And do it your way.

What You’ll Get

This role is a hybrid opportunity, offering 1-2 days Working from home. People are at the heart of what we do here, so it’s essential we provide you with the right environment to perform at your very best.

• Healthcare, pension, and potential bonus.
• 27 days of leave, plus bank holidays and if you want, you can buy 5 more.
• Because Primark is all about tailoring to you, we offer Tax Saver Tickets, fitness centre, and a subsidised cafeteria.

What You’ll Do

• Support the development and execution of the Technology category strategy across software, SaaS, cloud, infrastructure, telecommunications, hardware, and professional services.
• Analyse spend, supplier performance, contracts, market trends, and business requirements to identify opportunities for cost savings, value creation, and risk mitigation.
• Lead and support sourcing activities, supplier negotiations, and contract renewals, delivering commercially advantageous outcomes aligned with business objectives.
• Build strong relationships with business stakeholders, suppliers, and offshore delivery partners to ensure successful procurement planning and project execution.
• Drive supplier governance, performance management, and continuous improvement initiatives to enhance service quality, innovation, resilience, and sustainability.
• Leverage data, analytics, and digital tools to improve procurement efficiency, increase spend visibility, support decision-making, and ensure compliance with governance standards.

What You’ll Bring

• 5+ years’ experience in Procurement, with strong knowledge of procurement processes, sourcing, supplier management, and category management principles.
• Technology procurement expertise, including software/SaaS, cloud, hardware, telecommunications, managed services, and technology professional services.
• Strong commercial and negotiation skills, with experience evaluating pricing and licensing models, managing contracts, and delivering value-driven outcomes.
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing abilities, building trusted relationships across internal teams, suppliers, and external partners in a matrixed environment.
• Analytical and strategic mindset, using spend, supplier, contract, and market data to identify opportunities, manage risk, and support evidence-based decision-making.
• Highly organised, proactive, and results-focused, with strong communication, project management, problem-solving, and change-driving capabilities, alongside a keen interest in technology market trends and category development.

Excited? Good. Because it’s energising to put your skills to work, in a growing global business committed to encouraging people to express themselves – and feel a sense of belonging.

About Primark

At Primark, people matter. They’re the beating heart of our business and the reason we’ve grown from our first store in Dublin in 1969 to a £9bn+ turnover business a over 80,000 colleagues and over 440 stores in 17 countries today. Our values run through everything we do. In essence, we're Caring and always strive to put people first. We're also Dynamic, bravely pushing the boundaries to stay ahead. And finally, we succeed Together.

If you need any reasonable adjustments or have an accessibility request, during your recruitment journey, such as extended time or breaks between online assessments, a sign language interpreter, mobility access, or assistive technology please contact your talent acquisition specialist.

All offers of employment are subject to background checks, including right to work, reference education and for some roles criminal, and financial checks. If you have any concerns, please reach out to our talent acquisition team to discuss.