IT Category Manager

Unum; Basingstoke; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking an IT Category Manager to drive strategic development and enhance supplier performance across IT spend categories. This role offers the opportunity to lead innovative initiatives and foster strong relationships with stakeholders. You will be at the forefront of developing category strategies that align with business objectives, ensuring maximum long-term value. With a generous benefits package and a supportive environment, this position is perfect for someone looking to make a significant impact in a collaborative setting.

Benefits

Generous Bonus

Private Medical Insurance

Life and Income Protection Insurance

Excellent pension contributions

Access to remote GP

Nutrition coaching

Personal training

Unlimited mental health support

27 days holiday

Electric car scheme

Qualifications

• Significant experience in category management across IT spend categories.
• In-depth understanding of IT procurement and contract management.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategy development and oversee sourcing initiatives.
• Manage supplier selection processes and complex negotiations.

Skills

Category Management

IT Procurement Principles

Contract Management

Supplier Relationship Management

Negotiation Skills

Strategic Thinking

Communication Skills

Market Trends Analysis

Job description

Job Posting End Date: May 22

Who are we?

We’re a specialist employee benefits provider, striving to create healthy, happy workplaces. As part of the international Unum Group, we’re on a collective mission to help the working world thrive.

The role

What will you be doing?

IT Category Manager

Location: Hybrid, Dorking or Basingstoke, 2-3 days a week

We are looking for an IT Category Manager to join us here at Unum UK. You will be responsible for leading strategy development, generating value beyond cost savings, and overseeing sourcing initiatives and supplier performance management across all IT spend categories. As a trusted business partner, you will foster strong relationships with stakeholders, ensuring alignment between procurement strategies and business objectives to maximise long-term value.

You will develop IT category strategies that align with business objectives and communicate these to leadership and cross-functional teams. You will be responsible for establishing a 3-5 year roadmap, identifying new opportunities, and driving innovation to enhance category performance. Additionally, you will manage supplier selection processes, including RFI/RFP development, and lead complex negotiations while managing supplier relationships.

What will you bring?

What you will bring:

• Significant experience in category management and strategy development across a wide spectrum of IT spend categories such as data, marketing technology, IT Software & licensing, hosting, cloud, infrastructure, BPO, and hardware.
• In-depth understanding of IT procurement principles, contract management, and market trends.
• Outstanding relationship and communication skills.
• Proven ability to engage with all levels of management and become a trusted business partner.
• Proven ability to manage performance and enhance long term supplier relationships.
• Direct experience in leading complex IT negotiations, including understanding trade-offs between strategic and financial value drivers and contractual protections.
• Exceptionally strong strategic thinking, decision-making and planning skills, balanced with proven track record of delivering tangible results.
• Strong initiative with ability to proactively set stretch goals and define steps to achieve results.
• Ability to articulate difficult ideas and concepts to generate buy-in to initiatives, along with presentation skills.
• Experience in unlocking value beyond cost savings.
• Experience with leveraging global relationships and working collaborative with leaders across other regions.
• Appetite to explore and expand into other categories of spend across the business.

Our Benefits:

• Generous Bonus
• Private Medical Insurance
• Life and Income Protection Insurance
• Excellent pension contributions
• Access to remote GP, nutrition coaching, personal training, unlimited mental health support, and medical second opinion
• 27 days holiday with the option to buy and sell holiday up to 5 days (plus Bank Holidays)
• Salary sacrifice, electric car scheme with free on-site electric chargers.

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Why join us?

At Unum, we’ve created a workplace where people feel supported to progress and grow, and can see their ambitions coming to life.

We’ve built a supportive, inclusive environment where you can be yourself, whilst also being part of a growing organisation. From charity and volunteer opportunities to career growth, your possibilities are endless.

If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to [e-mail].

Company:

Unum UK