Procurement Category Manager - Technology

Talent Drive | B Corp; Reading; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading retail organization is seeking a Procurement Category Manager – Technology to shape and deliver the IT category strategy during a major transformation. This senior role involves direct collaboration with C-suite stakeholders and focuses on strategic sourcing and cost savings across software, hardware, and IT professional services. Candidates should have proven experience in category strategy within large organizations. This role offers a hybrid work model with three days on-site in Reading.

Qualifications

• Proven experience developing and executing category strategies in large, complex organisations.
• Strong knowledge of technology markets, including SaaS and hardware.
• A track record of leading complex, high-value negotiations.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute strategic category management plans to maximise spend under management.
• Lead the creation and implementation of sourcing and negotiation strategies.
• Drive continuous improvement, innovation, and sustainability in technology procurement.

Skills

Category strategy development

Negotiation

Cost savings

Knowledge of technology markets

Stakeholder management

Job description

Procurement Category Manager – Technology | Reading (Hybrid : 3 days per week onsite)

Talent Drive are delighted to be partnering with a household-name retail brand to appoint a Category Manager – Technology, joining the business at a pivotal point in their large-scale transformation journey.

This is an exciting opportunity to shape and deliver the IT category strategy within a forward-thinking procurement function with direct access to the CIO and wider leadership team.

Key responsibilities of the role :

• Develop and execute strategic category management plans to maximise spend under management and drive measurable value.
• Lead the creation and implementation of sourcing and negotiation strategies that align with business objectives and market dynamics.
• Build and deliver a comprehensive, multi-year category plan covering software, hardware, telecoms, and professional services.
• Drive continuous improvement, innovation, and sustainability beyond cost — influencing how technology procurement adds strategic value.
• Act as a change leader, embedding new systems, tools, and ways of working across the procurement and technology functions.

To be successful, you’ll bring :

• Proven experience developing and executing category strategies in large, complex organisations.
• Strong knowledge of technology markets — including software (SaaS, on-prem), hardware (infrastructure and end-user devices), telecoms, and IT professional services.
• A track record of leading complex, high-value negotiations that deliver sustainable value and commercial advantage.
• Evidence of driving cost savings and broader value creation through strategic sourcing.
• Experience working in retail or within a major transformation programme is advantageous.

This is a rare opportunity to step into a senior procurement role with direct influence over technology strategy — partnering with C-suite stakeholders and shaping the future of procurement excellence within a major retail organisation.