IT Buyer Team Leader

JR United Kingdom; Reading; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading FTSE 250 company in the UK is seeking a Category Supervisor to lead a high-performing procurement team. In this pivotal role, you will manage vendor negotiations, oversee a key product category, and navigate global procurement challenges. This is an opportunity to drive impact and gain exposure to strategic decision-making at a high level within the organization.

Qualifications

• Experience in Tech or IT Industry.
• Ability to manage and develop teams.
• Strong negotiation skills and commercial acumen.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of procurement professionals.
• Ensure vendor programme updates are integrated into workflows.
• Drive commercial negotiations and risk mitigation.

Skills

Leadership

Negotiation

Commercial Acumen

Stakeholder Management

Data Analysis

Organizational Skills

Job description

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Are you ready to lead a high-performing team at the strategic heart of procurement within a dynamic FTSE 250 organisation? If you thrive in a fast-paced, commercially driven environment where complex problem-solving and leadership go hand in hand, this opportunity could be the perfect next step in your career.

The Opportunity:

This is not your average procurement role. Sitting within the Category Management function – the strategic engine room of the Procurement Department – you’ll be pivotal in delivering high-impact initiatives across vendor negotiation, risk mitigation, and multinational deal execution.

As a Category Supervisor, you’ll lead a talented team, shaping the strategic direction of a key product category. Your leadership will support exceptional deal execution, vendor programme integration, and the successful navigation of global procurement challenges.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and inspire a team of procurement professionals, from early-career specialists to experienced buyers.
• Own your category: ensure vendor programme updates are effectively integrated into procurement workflows.
• Be the final point of escalation for complex deals, vendor terms, and order processing.
• Deliver training, mentoring, and support to drive team development and procurement excellence.
• Monitor exchange rates and market trends to maximise Gross Profit through strategic buying.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams on transformational projects that impact company-wide operations.
• Drive commercial negotiations, ensuring both cost-effectiveness and risk mitigation.
• Deliver reporting and insights to guide internal stakeholders and contribute to company-wide strategies.

What You’ll Bring:

• Experience within the Tech or IT Industry
• Proven ability to manage and develop teams, delivering feedback and performance improvements through adaptive leadership.
• Strong commercial acumen and negotiation skills, with a keen eye for opportunity and risk.
• Experience handling complex customer requirements and multinational procurement scenarios.
• A continuous improvement mindset – always looking for smarter, more efficient ways of working.
• Outstanding organisational and stakeholder management skills.
• Confidence in working across time zones and navigating global procurement processes.
• A strong grasp of data to analyse procurement trends and drive strategic decisions.

Why Join?

This is your chance to work at the strategic level within one of the UK’s leading FTSE 250 companies, where your voice will be heard and your impact will be seen. You’ll gain exposure to high-value negotiations, global vendors, and a supportive team culture that values innovation and operational excellence.