IT Sourcing Category Lead - Professional Services

1st Executive; England; Hybrid; GBP 95,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

A global financial services organization seeks a Category Lead for IT Professional Services to optimize supplier costs and service levels. This role involves leading a small team, negotiating contracts, and developing strategic plans to drive innovation within the Technology Services spend category across multiple locations including London and Manchester.

Qualifications

• Extensive procurement experience with a Blue-chip/FTSE100 firm.
• Experience dealing with senior stakeholders.
• Essential experience in Technology Services spend category.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain a strong network with Sourcing and Procurement colleagues.
• Identify opportunities for efficiencies within the Technology Services spend.
• Develop category strategies aligned with business needs.

Skills

Procurement Experience

Stakeholder Management

Contract Negotiation

Networking

Commercial Awareness

Education

Business Degree or Equivalent Commercial Experience

Job description

1x Category Lead - IT Professional Services & Consultancy - £95K/105K basic + bonus

• London, Northampton, Manchester or Glasgow, 2 days office
• Global FS organisation
• Leading a team of 4/5
• £0.5BN spend
• Must have IT Professional Services
• Ideally, this individual will be able to make sense and fix the complexities across this area - a Change Agent would do well here, advising and driving towards a new solution (the current process needs Rightsizing)

Key Accountabilities:

• Build and maintain a strong network with Sourcing and Procurement colleagues.
• Collaborate with business/process owners, Supplier Managers, Procurement operations, and other key stakeholders to optimize supplier costs while maintaining service levels and minimizing risk.
• Identify opportunities for efficiencies within the Technology Services spend category and other spend categories within Human Capital and Professional Services.
• Develop category strategies and executable plans aligned with business needs and market trends.
• Execute all sourcing projects in accordance with policy and management assurance testing results.

Skills and Experience:

• Extensive procurement experience with a Blue-chip/FTSE100 firm; financial services sector experience is a plus.
• Experience dealing with senior stakeholders.
• Essential experience in Technology Services spend category; desirable experience in HR and Professional Services spend areas.
• Business degree or equivalent commercial work experience.
• Knowledge of global market and key vendors in Technology Services and other highlighted spend categories.
• Detailed knowledge of commercial models and techniques for best-in-class deals in Technology Services and other highlighted spend categories.
• Excellent contract negotiation, networking, and stakeholder management skills.
• Understanding of commercial value drivers, competitors, and industry practices over the medium term.
• Decision-maker setting strategic direction for continuous improvement and innovation.