Global IT Category Lead

Kimberly-Clark Corporation; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

ARBEX in the United Kingdom seeks an experienced IT Procurement leader to shape and execute global category strategies across IT services, software, hardware, infrastructure, cloud, cybersecurity, and digital transformation initiatives.

The role partners with stakeholders worldwide, drives tail-spend optimization, manages supplier relationships, and ensures compliance with procurement policies, with up to 25% travel.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, supply chain, or a related field.
• 10+ years of procurement and category management experience, ideally within a CPG company.
• Strong category strategy, negotiation, and delivery skills, with a track record of achieving results.
• Strong problem-solving, communication, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence at all levels.
• Ability to work effectively across global regions, cultures, and matrix organisations while balancing diverse business needs.
• Working knowledge of COUPA, MS Office, and other procurement tools.

Responsibilities

• Identify and lead strategic initiatives such as tail-spend optimisation and supplier-driven innovation within IT services.
• Coordinate and implement category strategies across regions, ensuring consistency and scalability.
• Monitor supplier performance indicators and initiate reviews to drive improvements and mitigate risks.
• Manage, track, and report on IT spend / sourcing initiatives & savings in the internal tool in collaboration with regional procurement teams
• Lead the development of global category strategies for IT services including software, hardware, infrastructure, cloud services, cybersecurity, and digital transformation initiatives.
• Demonstrate experience managing IT procurement categories and delivering long-term value through strategic thinking and category planning.
• Develop and manage global supplier relationships for IT services, ensuring continuity, performance, and innovation.
• Drive global category strategies to deliver top-tier results through structured negotiations.
• Coach Regional Category Managers on key negotiations and leverage digital sourcing capabilities to deliver value efficiently.
• Support the creation and maintenance of category knowledge and processes to ensure strategies remain informed and relevant.

Skills

Strategic procurement leadership

Category management

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

Global cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in business, supply chain, or related field

Tools

COUPA

MS Office

Job description

## **Job Description**Become part of the team powering household names like Andrex, Kleenex, Cottonelle, Scott, Viva, and WypAll. At Arbex, everything you need is right here—innovation, growth, and the chance to leave a real mark.You were made to create what’s next: you’re a problem-solver – a connector – someone who thrives on bringing order to complexity and driving continuous improvement. You hold the big picture while mastering the details, making sure every product, process, and partnership moves with precision and purpose. You lead with the highest standards of integrity, efficiency, and collaboration, always turning today’s challenges into tomorrow’s success stories. In this role, you’ll help shape the future of tissue and hygiene for billions of people worldwide. We’ll be Unstoppable Together.**About You**In this role, you will lead IT Procurement categories globally. You will shape global category strategies and execution plans, assessing supplier landscapes and market trends to deliver sustained value. Building strong partnerships with stakeholders will be essential to align with business priorities and ensure adherence to procurement policies and financial governance.In one of our Supply Chain roles, you’ll focus on winning with consumers and the market, while putting safety, mutual respect, and human dignity at the centre. Job responsibilities include:* Identify and lead strategic initiatives such as tail-spend optimisation and supplier-driven innovation within IT services.* Coordinate and implement category strategies across regions, ensuring consistency and scalability.* Monitor supplier performance indicators and initiate reviews to drive improvements and mitigate risks.* Manage, track, and report on IT spend / sourcing initiatives & savings in the internal tool in collaboration with regional procurement teams* Lead the development of global category strategies for IT services including software, hardware, infrastructure, cloud services, cybersecurity, and digital transformation initiatives.* Demonstrate experience managing IT procurement categories and delivering long-term value through strategic thinking and category planning.* Develop and manage global supplier relationships for IT services, ensuring continuity, performance, and innovation.* Drive global category strategies to deliver top-tier results through structured negotiations.* Coach Regional Category Managers on key negotiations and leverage digital sourcing capabilities to deliver value efficiently.* Support the creation and maintenance of category knowledge and processes to ensure strategies remain informed and relevant.To succeed in this role, you will need the following qualifications:* Bachelor’s degree in business, supply chain, or a related field* 10+ years of procurement and category management experience, ideally within a CPG company* Strong category strategy, negotiation, and delivery skills, with a track record of achieving results* Strong problem-solving, communication, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence at all levels* Ability to work effectively across global regions, cultures, and matrix organisations while balancing diverse business needs* Working knowledge of COUPA, MS Office, and other procurement tools***This role requires the ability to travel up to 25% of the time*****Total Benefits**We believe that our employees are our greatest asset, and we're committed to providing them with the resources they need to be successful. If you're looking for a rewarding career with a company that cares about its employees, then ARBEX is the place for you. * Market-leading pension contribution.* Bonus scheme.* Flexible Savings and spending accounts to maximise health care options and stretch pounds when caring for yourself or dependents.* Private Medical Insurance, great support for good health with medical, dental, and vision coverage options.* Diverse income protection insurance options to protect yourself and your family in case of illness, injury, or other unexpected events.* Additional programs and support to continue your education, adopt a child, relocate, or even find temporary childcare.**Flex That Works at ARBEX**We believe great work happens when people come together with purpose. That’s why we offer a flexible work model that blends remote work with intentional in-person collaboration — helping you connect, grow, and innovate while maintaining the balance you value.**To Be Considered**Click the Apply button and complete the online application process. A member of our recruiting team will review your application and follow up if you seem like a great fit for this role.In the meantime, please check out the careers website.**And finally, the fine print....**For ARBEX to grow and prosper, we must be an inclusive organization that applies the diverse experiences and passions of its team members to brands that shape the future of tissue and hygiene, which is why we seek to build a workforce that encompasses the experiences of our consumers. When you bring your original thinking to ARBEX, you fuel the continued success of our enterprise. We are a committed equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, pregnancy, genetic information, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by law.The statements above are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this classification. Statements are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities and skills required for this position.Employment is subject to verification of local policies. *This role is available for local candidates already authorised to work in the role’s country only. ARBEX will not provide relocation support for this role.*