IT Category Manager

Serco; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company pension up to 6%

Performance bonus

Company car

25 days annual leave

Private healthcare

Flexible and hybrid working

Career development

Inclusive environment

Job summary

Serco is seeking an IT Category Manager to shape and deliver global IT category strategy with a spend of around £170m. The role involves extensive stakeholder engagement across business units and supplier networks to drive sourcing projects, renegotiations and continuous improvement.

You will lead a pipeline of opportunities, optimise value and mitigate risk on a global scale. The position offers hybrid/flexible working, a competitive package including a pension, bonus, private medical cover and

Qualifications

• Strong IT category, supplier and market expertise.
• Track record of delivering sourcing activity, savings and improvements.
• Experience developing innovative category strategies.
• Strong commercial acumen translating requirements to solutions.
• Experience in complex, global environments.
• Ability to influence senior stakeholders (MD/Board).
• Analytical, planning and decision-making skills.
• Strategic mindset with local market understanding.
• Resilience in global matrix environments.

Responsibilities

• Deliver sourcing projects and renegotiations across global and BU requirements.
• Develop global IT category strategy and prioritised pipeline of sourcing activity.
• Identify opportunities to optimise value, improve supplier performance and mitigate third-party risk.
• Build relationships with senior stakeholders and key suppliers across Serco.
• Monitor supplier performance and risk through reporting and market intelligence.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives with existing suppliers to drive innovation and efficiency.
• Align category strategies with Procurement Business Partners and wider teams.
• Support compliance with preferred supplier arrangements and Procurement Policy.
• Mentor and support junior team members.

Skills

IT category mgmt

Strategic sourcing

Supplier management

Stakeholder management

Analytical skills

Education

MCIPS

MSc or MBA

Job description

Location: Flexible – occasional travel to London

Salary - £65,000 - £75,000 + Bonus + Private Medical Cover + Pension up to 6% + Company Car

Full Time – Permanent

About The Role

We’re looking for an experienced IT Category Manager to join our global Procurement team and play a key role in shaping and delivering our IT category strategy across Serco.

With responsibility across an IT category worth approximately £170m globally, you’ll use your category, market and supplier expertise to identify opportunities, deliver value, mitigate risk and support the effective deployment of IT solutions across our business.

This is a global role with significant stakeholder exposure, working across our Business Units, Procurement teams and supplier base to deliver sourcing projects, strategic renegotiations and continuous improvement initiatives.

What You’ll Be Doing

You’ll contribute to the development and delivery of our global IT category strategy, building a strong pipeline of opportunities and ensuring that procurement activity delivers measurable value for Serco.

Key Responsibilities Will Include

• Delivering sourcing projects and strategic renegotiations across global and Business Unit requirements.
• Supporting the development of the global IT category strategy and translating this into a clear, prioritised pipeline of sourcing activity.
• Identifying opportunities to optimise value, improve supplier performance and mitigate third-party risk.
• Building and maintaining strong relationships with senior stakeholders and key suppliers across Serco.
• Monitoring supplier performance and risk through reporting, market intelligence and business feedback.
• Leading continuous improvement initiatives with existing suppliers to drive innovation, efficiencies and improved outcomes.
• Working closely with Procurement Business Partners and wider Procurement teams to align category strategies, supplier management activity and stakeholder priorities.
• Supporting compliance with preferred supplier arrangements and Serco Procurement Policy, Standards and Procedures.
• Mentoring and supporting more junior members of the team, sharing your knowledge and helping develop procurement capability.

What You’ll Bring

You’ll be an experienced procurement professional with a strong track record in IT category management, strategic sourcing and supplier relationship management within a large and complex organisation.

We’re Looking For Someone Who Can Demonstrate

• Strong IT category, supplier and market expertise.
• A proven track record of delivering sourcing activity, savings, change and continuous improvement.
• Experience developing and implementing innovative category strategies.
• Strong commercial and business acumen, with the ability to understand complex business requirements and translate these into effective procurement solutions.
• Experience operating in a complex, changing and competitive environment.
• The ability to build credible relationships and influence stakeholders at senior levels, including MD and Board level.
• Strong analytical, planning and decision-making capabilities, with a fact-based approach.
• A strategic mindset, balanced with the flexibility to understand local market and business requirements.
• Resilience, credibility and the ability to operate effectively across a global and matrix environment.

A professional procurement qualification such as MCIPS, or a relevant postgraduate qualification such as an MSc or MBA, would be desirable but is not essential.

What We Offer

• Company pension up to 6%
• Bonus – on target 5%
• Company Car
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Private healthcare – single
• Flexible and hybrid working
• Opportunities for professional development and career progression
• A supportive and inclusive working environment

A Little Bit About Us

At Serco, everyone plays a vital part in delivering essential public services that make a real difference. As a global team of 50,000 people across Defence, Transport, Justice, Immigration, Healthcare, Leisure and Citizen Services, we’re united by a shared purpose: to improve the services that communities rely on. Guided by our values of Trust, Care, Innovation and Pride, our people make meaningful impact, every single day.

Our Inclusive Recruitment Commitment

We prioritise your skills and potential. As a Disability Confident Leader, the Top Great British Employer of Veterans 2026, and a Gold Inclusive Employer Standard holder, we champion equal opportunities for all. We offer flexible and hybrid working where possible and make reasonable adjustments throughout recruitment and employment.

• Guaranteed Interview Scheme: Applicants with disabilities, veterans and people with convictions, who meet the minimum job criteria, are guaranteed an interview. Simply opt into the relevant scheme on the application form.
• Ban The Box: We also support fair access for those with unspent criminal convictions through our ‘Ban the Box’ pledge (some roles may have security exemptions).