Global Category Manager – IT Procurement

EA First; Liverpool; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

EA First is seeking a Global Category Manager for IT Procurement, based in the UK, to lead global and European IT sourcing initiatives and partner with stakeholders across IT infrastructure, services, cybersecurity and cloud. This senior role reports to the Global Director of IT Procurement and will shape a unified operating model while driving cost efficiency and supplier consolidation across regions.

You will influence multi-country contracts, RFPs and renewals with major suppliers, ensuring

Qualifications

• At least six to eight years' experience specifically within IT or technology procurement.
• Strong experience across infrastructure, IT services and/or cybersecurity.
• Experience working with major enterprise technology suppliers (e.g., Microsoft, Oracle, AWS, SAP, Cisco, Dell).
• Previous responsibility for global, EMEA or multinational procurement projects.
• Solid understanding of software licensing, SaaS, cloud and managed-service agreements.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex global and European IT sourcing initiatives.
• Develop and execute category strategies across infrastructure, IT services, cybersecurity, software, SaaS and cloud.
• Negotiate high-value agreements with major global technology suppliers.
• Review regional requirements and determine whether to manage locally or in global agreements.
• Identify opportunities for supplier consolidation, cost optimisation and contract rationalisation.
• Manage contract renewals, RFPs and strategic supplier negotiations.
• Partner with IT, Infrastructure, Cybersecurity, Finance and Legal across countries.
• Support development of a consistent global IT procurement operating model.
• Monitor supplier performance, contractual risk, savings and cost avoidance.

Skills

IT procurement

Sourcing strategy

Contract negotiations

Stakeholder management

Global/EMEA experience

Job description

Global Category Manager - IT Procurement

I'm working exclusively with a major global organisation to recruit a Senior Category Manager specialising in IT Procurement.

This is a newly created position with a genuinely global remit. Based in the UK, you will act as the senior IT procurement contact for European stakeholders while reporting into the Global Director of IT Procurement in the US.

The organisation is bringing together its global technology suppliers, contracts and procurement processes. You will play a key role in shaping that journey-supporting European stakeholders, leading complex sourcing projects and identifying opportunities to consolidate regional and global supplier agreements.

The role will influence approximately £50m of technology spend, with an initial focus on IT infrastructure, technology services and cybersecurity.

Key responsibilities:

• Lead complex global and European IT sourcing initiatives.
• Develop and execute category strategies across infrastructure, IT services, cybersecurity, software, SaaS and cloud.
• Negotiate high-value agreements with major global technology suppliers.
• Review regional requirements and determine whether they should be managed locally or incorporated into global agreements.
• Identify opportunities for supplier consolidation, cost optimisation and contract rationalisation.
• Manage contract renewals, RFPs and strategic supplier negotiations.
• Partner with IT, Infrastructure, Cybersecurity, Finance and Legal stakeholders across multiple countries.
• Support the development of a consistent global IT procurement operating model.
• Monitor supplier performance, contractual risk, savings and cost avoidance.

About you:

• At least six to eight years' experience specifically within IT or technology procurement.
• Strong experience across infrastructure, IT services and/or cybersecurity.
• A track record of leading complex, high-value sourcing and contract negotiations.
• Experience working with major enterprise technology suppliers such as Microsoft, Oracle, AWS, SAP, Cisco, Dell or similar.
• Previous responsibility for global, EMEA or multinational procurement projects.
• Strong commercial awareness and an understanding of software licensing, SaaS, cloud and managed-service agreements.
• Comfortable influencing senior technology stakeholders and working across different cultures and legal entities.
• Proactive, self-sufficient and comfortable operating within a geographically dispersed global team.

Sector experience is not important. The priority is finding someone with deep IT procurement expertise who can hit the ground running, bring fresh ideas and help shape a developing global function.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced IT procurement professional who wants greater international exposure, significant category responsibility and the chance to make a visible impact within a major global organisation.