Global IT Category Manager

EA First; West Kirby; Hybrid; GBP 85,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive benefits package

Job summary

EA First is seeking a Global IT Category Manager to lead strategic IT procurement on a truly global scale. Based near Liverpool, you will be the senior IT procurement contact for European stakeholders while reporting to the Global Director of IT Procurement in the US.

You will shape the journey across technology suppliers, drive complex sourcing projects, and consolidate regional and global supplier agreements. Hybrid role, in-office expected 2 days/week in Liverpool.

Qualifications

• At least six to eight years of IT or technology procurement experience.
• Strong experience in infrastructure, IT services and/or cybersecurity.
• Track record of leading complex, high-value sourcing and contract negotiations.
• Experience with major enterprise technology suppliers (e.g., Microsoft, Oracle, AWS, SAP, Cisco, Dell).
• Previous responsibility for global, EMEA or multinational procurement projects.
• Solid commercial awareness and understanding of software licensing, SaaS, cloud and managed services agreements.
• Comfortable influencing senior technology stakeholders across cultures and legal entities.

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 decide local vs global management.
• Identify opportunities for supplier consolidation, cost optimisation and contract rationalisation.
• Manage 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.

Skills

IT procurement

Infrastructure

IT services

Cybersecurity

Contract negotiations

Global/EMEA procurement

Job description

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

This is a newly created position with a genuinely global remit. Based out of the Liverpool office, 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.

As Global IT Category Manager you 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.

Experience

• 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.

Be based within commutable distance to the Liverpool office. 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.

£85,000 - £95,000 + competitive benefits package

Hybrid role based out of Liverpool.

Expectation to be in the office 2 days a week.