IT Procurement Category Manager

Lightsource BP; Greater London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading energy company in Greater London is looking for a proactive IT Procurement Category Manager responsible for sourcing, category management, and contract governance for IT. The role emphasizes cost optimization, risk mitigation, and supplier innovation to support corporate objectives. Candidates should have strong negotiation skills, IT procurement expertise, along with a relevant degree. The position offers competitive salary and a variety of benefits providing opportunities for personal growth and contributing to sustainable energy projects.

Benefits

Annual bonus

Health insurance

Pension scheme

Local benefits

Qualifications

• Strong expertise in IT procurement best practices.
• Proven track record in negotiating complex IT contracts.
• Experience in managing vendor relationships effectively.

Responsibilities

• Own the full IT contract lifecycle, ensuring governance.
• Develop comprehensive category strategies aligned with business priorities.
• Lead sourcing activities, including vendor selection and negotiation.

Skills

Negotiation and influencing abilities

Commercial acumen

Collaboration

Data-driven decision-making

Change management

Effective communication skills

Leadership qualities

Strategic thinking

Attention to detail

Organizational skills

Education

Relevant degree in procurement or IT

MCIPS or CIPS certification

Job description

Summary

We are seeking a proactive IT Procurement Category Manager to lead sourcing, category management, and contract governance for IT. This role will drive cost optimization, risk mitigation, and supplier innovation to support Lightsource bp’s global growth and digital transformation objectives.

Responsibilities

• Own the full IT contract lifecycle, ensuring governance and delivering commercial value
• Develop and implement comprehensive category strategies aligned with business priorities
• Lead all sourcing activities: requirements gathering, RFx management, vendor selection, negotiation, and onboarding
• Build and maintain strategic relationships with IT suppliers and internal stakeholders as a trusted advisor
• Draft, review, and negotiate contract terms for software, hardware, IT services, and outsourcing
• Maintain centralized contract registers to ensure accuracy and accessibility
• Ensure compliance with supplier contractual obligations and procurement policies
• Collaborate with Finance to produce spend reports and assist with budgeting and forecasting
• Lead cost control initiatives across IT procurement categories
• Provide commercial risk management, escalating and resolving disputes as needed
• Monitor supplier performance via KPIs, contract reviews, and governance meetings, leveraging spend analytics for continual improvement

Experience & Knowledge Required

• Strong expertise in IT procurement best practices, covering hardware, software, cloud, and outsourcing
• Solid understanding of commercial objectives, procurement processes, and budgeting cycles
• Proven track record negotiating complex IT contracts and managing vendor relationships
• Experience delivering cost savings and enhancing procurement processes
• Practical knowledge of software licensing models and associated commercial terms
• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement category strategies and procurement policies
• Experienced in working towards cost-saving targets, compliance, and supplier performance KPIs

Skills Required

• Excellent negotiation and influencing abilities to engage effectively with senior stakeholders
• Strong commercial acumen and exceptional attention to detail
• Collaborative approach with capability to lead cross-functional procurement projects
• Skilled at influencing IT, Finance, and other teams to achieve aligned outcomes
• Proficient in data-driven decision-making and category analytics
• Experienced in driving change management within procurement functions
• Effective communicator, confident in both verbal and written formats
• Proactive, adaptable, solution-oriented mindset with strong organization and prioritization skills
• Leadership qualities including mentoring and coaching team members
• Strategic thinker with proven change management experience

Education Required

• Relevant degree or equivalent experience in procurement, IT, or related disciplines
• MCIPS or CIPS certification preferred

Why you’ll want to work for us

Our company is a place where you can be yourself and grow, a place where your ideas and opinions matter.

Be you: We pride ourselves on being an inclusive community, where every individual is valued and treated with respect.

Be responsible: Our culture is driven by our core values – from operating safely to ensuring our projects are responsible.

Be recognized: Alongside a competitive salary, we offer a variety of benefits including annual bonus, retention bank, health insurance, pension and other local benefits.

Be inspired: Beyond your day-to-day working life at Lightsource bp, there’s a variety of initiatives that will contribute to your own personal development. These include our charitable causes, supporting our solar honey project, or volunteering on our VIBES committee to name a few.

Our core values: Lightsource bp truly cares about creating a sustainable future through safe, responsible and meaningful low carbon energy projects. Our core values of Safety, Integrity, Respect, Sustainability and Drive are the guiding principles for everything we do.