IT Category Manager

Serco Limited; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global service provider is seeking an IT Category Manager to develop and execute procurement strategies. The role requires excellent negotiation skills and the ability to manage relationships with senior stakeholders. Candidates should have a proven track record in IT category management and relevant postgraduate qualifications. Join a dynamic team where your contributions are vital to business growth and innovation.

Benefits

Company car

Private healthcare

Bonus scheme of 5% on target

Flexible working

Pension - 6%

Employee Assistance Programme

Discounts on services and leisure memberships

Qualifications

• Proven IT category management experience.
• Deep IT category, supplier, and market expertise.
• Strong business acumen to understand complex environments.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute global IT category strategies.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to optimize value delivery.
• Manage supplier relationships and drive operational efficiency.

Skills

IT category management

Stakeholder management

Negotiation skills

Communication

Strategic thinking

Education

Postgraduate qualifications (e.g., MSc, MBA)

Professional procurement qualifications (e.g., MCIPS)

Job description

IT Category Manager
Flexible Location - Travel Required
Full Time, Permanent

Serco is seeking a highly skilled IT Category Manager with strong IT knowledge and exceptional stakeholder management skills to join our global Procurement team. This critical role provides IT category and market expertise, ensuring that Serco's IT spend delivers maximum value while managing risk and maintaining robust supplier relationships globally.

You will be a confident negotiator, able to manage difficult conversations and push back effectively with suppliers and internal stakeholders alike. Your ability to influence at senior levels and your strategic mindset will be key to your success.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute comprehensive global IT category strategies aligned with Serco's corporate goals and local market needs.
• Collaborate closely with key stakeholders, Procurement colleagues, and Serco's third-party Procurement Delivery Partner to identify business requirements and deliver best value.
• Optimise value delivery, mitigate risks, and enhance supplier performance through continuous monitoring, analysis, and relationship management.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives with suppliers to drive innovation and operational efficiency.
• Ensure that all benefits from category strategies and supplier relationships are clearly identified, tracked, and delivered.
• Act as a trusted advisor, building and maintaining strong senior-level relationships across business units, contracts, and suppliers.
• Support compliance with Serco Procurement Policies and Standards and lead by example in embodying Serco's values.

Requirements:

• Proven IT category management experience. Postgraduate qualifications (e.g., MSc, MBA) or professional procurement qualifications (e.g., MCIPS) are advantageous.
• Deep IT category, supplier, and market subject matter expertise with a track record of delivering complex, large-scale procurement initiatives.
• Strong business acumen with the ability to understand diverse business needs and manage supplier relationships in a complex, competitive environment.
• Exceptional communication and influencing skills, capable of engaging senior stakeholders, including MD and Board levels.
• Comfortable managing difficult conversations, pushing back on suppliers and internal teams when necessary to safeguard Serco's interests.
• Strategic thinker with the flexibility to adapt to local requirements and a creative approach to problem-solving.
• Demonstrates resilience, credibility, and professionalism in a fast-paced and changing environment.

Why Serco:

Meaningful and vital work: In this position, your work is vital to the business, in terms of decisions and growth. You will gain a world of opportunity working for a globally operating business delivering essential services across 5 vital sectors, personal growth, achievement and development won't be hard to find. You'll also work with great people. You'll find yourself working in a highly motivated, supportive environment where no two days are the same, with experienced colleagues who strive for excellence.

What we offer:

• Company car
• Private healthcare
• Bonus scheme of 5% on target and 10% exceeding targets
• Flexible working considered
• Pension - 6%
• Chance to contribute to innovation in the public services
• A company passionate about diversity and inclusion
• Serco discounts which include cinema, merlin entertainment and online shopping discounts, and discounts on mobile phone plans and leisure centre memberships.
• A range of benefits to support the health and wellbeing of you and your family such as Employee Assistance Programme, Simply Health Cash Plans, and more.
• A wealth of career development training to suit your future aspirations. These range from role specific training, leadership coaching, formal study and much more to support you to build your career with Serco.
• A safe and supportive culture.