Procurement Category Manager - Software

WPP; Greater London; On-site; GBP 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

WPP is seeking a Procurement Category Manager, Software to shape our technology strategy and partner with stakeholders across the business and leading software vendors to drive commercial value. You’ll lead global software sourcing, supplier management and complex negotiations, building strong relationships and mentoring offshore procurement colleagues while driving continuous improvements.

Reporting to the Software Category Director, you will help transform how we buy software across our global

Qualifications

• Significant experience in software procurement and complex sourcing.
• Strong commercial and contractual negotiation skills.
• Ability to influence senior stakeholders across global teams.

Responsibilities

• Develop global software category strategy.
• Lead complex software sourcing projects, RFPs, and negotiations.
• Build relationships with stakeholders and act as trusted partner.
• Identify cost optimization and value creation opportunities.
• Manage strategic supplier relationships.
• Support and mentor offshore procurement team members.
• Drive continuous improvement across procurement processes.

Skills

Software procurement

Vendor negotiations

Stakeholder management

IT category strategies

Leadership

Job description

WPP is the trusted growth partner for the world’s leading brands. We unite cutting-edge media intelligence and data solutions, world-class creativity, next-generation production, transformative enterprise solutions and expert strategic counsel in a single company – powered by exceptional talent and our agentic marketing platform, WPP Open, to help our clients navigate change, capture opportunity and deliver transformational growth. We work with the world's most valuable brands and have global reach across 100+ markets, with deep local expertise. Our people are the key to our success. We're committed to fostering a culture of creativity, belonging and continuous learning, attracting and developing the brightest talent, and providing exciting career opportunities that help our people grow. For more information, visit WPP.com.

Join WPP at a pivotal time of global transformation. As a Procurement Category Manager, Software, you'll help shape our technology strategy, partnering with stakeholders across the business and some of the world's leading software vendors to drive commercial value and support key business initiatives.

What you'll be doing:

You’ll lead strategic sourcing, supplier management, and complex software negotiations, helping WPP maximise value from its software investments while supporting global transformation programmes.

Key responsibilities include:

• Developing and delivering the global software category strategy.
• Leading complex software sourcing projects, RFPs, and commercial negotiations.
• Building strong relationships with stakeholders and acting as a trusted business partner.
• Identifying cost optimisation and value creation opportunities.
• Managing strategic supplier relationships.
• Supporting and mentoring offshore procurement team members.
• Driving continuous improvement across procurement processes and practices.

Who you'll be working with:

You’ll report to the Category Director for Software and work closely with senior stakeholders across Technology, Finance, Legal, Procurement, and business teams globally. You’ll also build relationships with some of the world's leading software vendors, helping shape commercial strategies that support WPP's transformation agenda.

What you'll bring:

• Significant experience in software procurement, including complex software sourcing and vendor negotiations.
• Strong commercial, contractual, and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience developing and implementing IT or software category strategies.
• Ability to influence senior stakeholders and drive business outcomes.
• A collaborative mindset, curiosity, and a passion for continuous improvement.

Who you are:

You're open: We are inclusive and collaborative; we encourage the free exchange of ideas; we respect and celebrate diverse views. We are open-minded: to new ideas, new partnerships, new ways of working.

You're optimistic: We believe in the power of creativity, technology and talent to create brighter futures or our people, our clients and our communities. We approach all that we do with conviction: to try the new and to seek the unexpected.

You're extraordinary: we are stronger together: through collaboration we achieve the amazing. We are creative leaders and pioneers of our industry; we provide extraordinary every day.

What we’ll give you:

Passionate, inspired people – We aim to create a culture in which people can do extraordinary work.

Scale and opportunity – We offer the opportunity to create, influence and complete projects at a scale that is unparalleled in the industry.

Challenging and stimulating work – Unique work and the opportunity to join a group of creative problem solvers. Are you up for the challenge?

#LI-Hybrid

We believe the best work happens when we're together, fostering creativity, collaboration, and connection. That's why we’ve adopted a hybrid approach, with teams in the office around four days a week. If you require accommodations or flexibility, please discuss this with the hiring team during the interview process.

WPP is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without discrimination or regard to particular characteristics. We are committed to fostering a culture of respect in which everyone feels they belong and has the same opportunities to progress in their careers.