IT Category Manager

Burman Recruitment; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Burman Recruitment seeks an experienced Category Manager for IT & Technology procurement in London. You will own the strategy for the IT category, engaging senior stakeholders and leading major sourcing, contracting and negotiation activities across a large organisation.

The role focuses on driving cost savings, supplier relationship management, and delivering complex procurement projects in IT, technology, and telecoms sectors. Hybrid working model with senior leadership exposure.

Qualifications

• Significant senior procurement experience in IT/Technology.
• Experience procuring software, infrastructure and technology solutions.
• Strong negotiation and stakeholder management with senior stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Own and develop the IT & Technology category strategy.
• Build relationships with senior stakeholders across the organisation.
• Lead complex and high-value procurement exercises and projects.
• Deliver category strategies that achieve cost savings and efficiencies.
• Lead contract negotiations and advise on commercial, contractual and compliance matters.
• Manage frameworks, supplier lists and competitive exercises.
• Identify opportunities for efficiency and continuous improvement.
• Support major transformation programmes with commercial strategies.
• Draft commercial aspects of contracts in line with business requirements.
• Lead and develop procurement team members.

Skills

IT procurement

Vendor management

Negotiation

Stakeholder mgmt

Category management

Education

CIPS membership

Job description

Category Manager – IT & Technology Procurement

Location: London / Hybrid

Salary: Competitive

Grade: G8

Contract: 3 Months Minimum

About the Role

We are looking for an experienced Category Manager to join a large, complex Higher education organisation and take ownership of an IT & Technology procurement category.

This is a senior commercial role, working closely with stakeholders across IT, Technology and wider business functions to develop and deliver category strategies, drive efficiencies and savings, and manage complex procurement and supplier relationships.

You will act as a subject matter expert, providing commercial and procurement advice while leading major sourcing, contracting and negotiation activity.

Key Responsibilities

• Own and develop the strategy for the IT & Technology category.
• Build strong relationships with senior stakeholders across the organisation.
• Lead complex and high-value procurement exercises and commercial projects.
• Develop and deliver category strategies that achieve cost savings and operational efficiencies.
• Lead contract negotiations and provide advice on commercial, contractual and compliance matters.
• Manage frameworks, preferred supplier lists and competitive procurement exercises.
• Identify opportunities for efficiency, innovation and continuous improvement.
• Support major transformation and change programmes through effective commercial strategies.
• Draft and develop commercial aspects of contracts in line with business requirements.
• Lead and develop members of the procurement team.

About You

We are looking for someone with significant senior-level procurement experience, ideally within IT, Technology or Telecoms.

You should have:

• Strong experience managing IT / Technology procurement categories.
• Proven experience procuring software, infrastructure and technology solutions.
• Experience managing and negotiating with large, Tier 1 technology vendors.
• Strong software licensing and commercial contract experience.
• Experience delivering complex, large-scale procurement projects.
• Excellent negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience working within a large, complex and decentralised organisation.
• Strong commercial and analytical ability.
• Experience supporting organisational transformation and change.
• The ability to influence and communicate effectively with senior stakeholders.
• Experience developing robust procurement and contracting strategies.

CIPS membership or equivalent professional development would be advantageous.

Why Apply?

This is an excellent opportunity to join a large, high-profile organisation and take ownership of a significant technology procurement category, working with senior stakeholders and major technology suppliers.

The role offers the opportunity to influence commercial strategy, deliver significant savings and efficiencies, and play a key role in major technology and organisational transformation programmes.