IT Category Manager

Burman Recruitment; Slough; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Burman Recruitment is seeking a Category Manager to own the IT & Technology procurement category for a large higher education organisation. You will work with IT, Technology and wider business functions to develop category strategies, drive efficiencies and manage major sourcing, contracting and negotiation activity.

The role is London with hybrid working and focuses on delivering cost savings, supplier relationships and transformation programmes across a complex enterprise.

Qualifications

• Significant senior‑level procurement experience in IT/Technology or Telecoms.
• Experience managing IT/Technology procurement categories.
• Proven ability to procure software, infrastructure and technology solutions.
• Experience negotiating with large Tier 1 technology vendors.
• Excellent negotiation and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience working in large, complex, decentralised organisations.

Responsibilities

• Own and develop the strategy for the IT & Technology category.
• Build relationships with senior stakeholders across the organisation.
• Lead complex, high‑value procurement exercises and commercial projects.
• Develop and deliver category strategies to achieve cost savings and efficiencies.
• Lead contract negotiations and provide commercial and contractual advice.
• Manage frameworks, preferred supplier lists and competitive procurement exercises.
• Identify opportunities for efficiency and innovation and for 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.

Skills

Senior procurement experience

IT/Technology procurement

Stakeholder management

Negotiation

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.