IT Category Lead

BSI; Greater London; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

BSI in London is seeking an IT Category Lead to shape and deliver procurement strategies across software, IT services, telecoms and cloud. You will own end-to-end sourcing programs, influence senior stakeholders and ensure value, risk and compliance are embedded in every decision.

Joining the team means leading multi-year category plans, building market insights from spend data and supplier economics, and driving sustainable procurement aligned with ESG frameworks.

Qualifications

• Significant IT category management experience across software, IT services, cloud and telecoms.
• Proven track record leading high‑value, high‑risk sourcing with senior stakeholders.
• Strong contracting expertise covering pricing, SLAs, IP, liability and exit controls.
• Experience in governance‑led, audit‑ready procurement environments.
• Understanding ESG procurement principles and ISO20400/EcoVadis frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Develop and own multi‑year category strategies across Software, IT Services, Telecommunications and Cloud.
• Build category insight using spend data, demand drivers, supplier economics and market benchmarking.
• Identify and quantify opportunities across savings, cost avoidance, service improvement, resilience and risk reduction.
• Translate category strategy into prioritised sourcing pipelines aligned to technology and business plans.
• Act as the primary commercial authority for IT sub‑categories, challenging scope and commercial approaches.
• Partner with senior stakeholders to shape requirements and influence decisions before investment.
• Lead complex end‑to‑end sourcing, evaluation, negotiation and award activities.
• Negotiate robust commercial arrangements covering pricing, deliverables, IP, liability, performance and exit.
• Manage strategic supplier relationships with governance, KPIs and renewal strategies.
• Embed due diligence and audit‑ready procurement controls across sourcing and supplier management.
• Integrate sustainability and responsible procurement into category strategy and supplier selection.

Skills

IT category management

Complex technology sourcing

Senior stakeholder influencing

Analytical spend data interpretation

Contracting and SOW expertise

Governance and audit readiness

Sustainability and ESG procurement

Education

Relevant degree or equivalent

Job description

We exist to create positive change for people and the planet. Join us and make a difference too!

Job Title: IT Category Lead

Location The Acre, Covent Garden, London

About The Role

We are looking for an IT Category Lead to shape and deliver procurement strategies across some of BSI's most commercially significant and risk-sensitive technology spend areas. Covering Software, IT Services, Telecommunications and Cloud, you will take end-to-end accountability for commercial outcomes and strategically important third‑party relationships that underpin BSI's digital and operational capabilities. A key part of the role is influencing decisions early - bringing commercial rigour into scope definition, supplier selection and delivery model design before commitments are made, rather than trying to optimise value after the decision.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and own multi‑year category strategies and annual plans across Software, IT Services, Telecommunications and Cloud.
• Build category insight using spend data, demand drivers, supplier economics and market benchmarking.
• Identify and quantify opportunities across savings, cost avoidance, service improvement, resilience and risk reduction.
• Translate category strategy into prioritised sourcing pipelines aligned to technology and business plans.
• Act as the primary commercial authority for IT sub‑categories, challenging scope, supplier selection and commercial approach where appropriate.
• Partner with senior technology and business stakeholders to shape requirements and influence decisions ahead of investment and supplier engagement.
• Lead complex end‑to‑end sourcing, evaluation, negotiation and award activities across strategic technology spend.
• Negotiate robust commercial arrangements covering pricing, deliverables, intellectual property, liability, performance, change and exit requirements.
• Manage strategic supplier relationships through structured governance, KPIs, performance reviews, improvement plans and renewal strategies.
• Embed appropriate due diligence, procurement controls and audit‑ready documentation across sourcing and supplier management.
• Integrate sustainability and responsible procurement considerations into category strategy, supplier selection and performance management.

What We're Looking For

• Significant experience in IT category management and complex technology sourcing, including areas such as software, hardware, cloud or IT services.
• A proven track record leading high‑value, high‑risk sourcing and negotiations with senior stakeholders.
• Strong commercial and contracting expertise across statements of work, pricing or rate models, performance frameworks and change or exit controls.
• Strong understanding of strategic supplier management within technology environments.
• Excellent senior stakeholder influencing skills with the confidence to challenge requirements and shape commercial decisions.
• Strong analytical capability to interpret spend data, market insight and commercial options and build business cases.
• Experience operating within governance‑led, audit‑ready procurement environments.
• Understanding of sustainable procurement principles and ESG frameworks such as ISO 20400, EcoVadis or equivalent.
• Ability to operate effectively with ambiguity, framing commercial risks, options and recommendations clearly.
• Relevant degree or equivalent professional experience.

Do you believe the world deserves excellence?

We are proud to be the business improvement company for other organisations to become more sustainable and resilient and finally to inspire trust in their products, systems, services, and the world we live in.

Headquartered in London, BSI is the world's first national standards organization with more than 100 years of experience. We are a global partner for 86,000 companies and organizations in over 193 countries, offering development, auditing, certification, and training services, including innovative software solutions and cyber security expertise for all industries: from aerospace and automotive to food, construction, energy, healthcare, IT and trade sectors. Incorporated by Royal Charter, we’re truly impartial, and home to the ultimate mark of trust, the Kitemark.

Through our unique combination of consulting, training, assurance and regulatory services we bring solid and broad knowledge to every company.

If you want to contribute to this inspiring challenge, bring your open and enthusiastic mindset to our dynamic team, become part of the BSI family!

D&I Policy

BSI is committed to ensuring the diversity of our workforce reflects that of our clients and the communities in which we operate. Our goal is to create a sense of belonging for all employees by providing opportunities to develop, grow, and engage with our global organization all while having fun doing great work. BSI is a community where everyone can thrive.

If you require any reasonable accommodations to be made on account of a disability or impairment throughout our recruiting process, please inform your Talent Acquisition Partner.

About Us

BSI is a business improvement and standards company and for over a century BSI has been recognized for having a positive impact on organizations and society, building trust and enhancing lives.

Today BSI partners with more than 77,500 clients in 195 countries and engages with a 15,000 strong global community of experts, industry and consumer groups, organizations and governments.

Utilizing its extensive expertise in key industry sectors - including automotive, aerospace, built environment, food and retail, and healthcare - BSI delivers on its purpose by helping its clients fulfil theirs.

Living by our core values of Client‑Centricity, Agility, and Collaboration, BSI provides organizations with the confidence to grow by partnering with them to tackle society’s critical issues – from climate change to building trust in digital transformation and everything in between – to accelerate progress towards a better society and a sustainable world.

BSI is an Equal Opportunity Employer dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace.