Senior Category Lead for Pro Services & IT (Hybrid)

Outsource UK Limited; Greater Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 100,000 - 111,000; Full time

Job summary

Outsource UK Limited is seeking a Category Lead to support a growing procurement team in Manchester. You will manage Professional Services and IT categories, focusing on renewals, supplier management and negotiations in a fast-moving, less mature environment.

The role is hybrid, combining office presence with remote work, and involves driving cost optimisation and process improvements across ~150 contracts.

Qualifications

• Experience in Category Management / Procurement.
• Experience in Professional Services and IT procurement.
• Financial services exposure is essential.
• Experience in regulated environments.
• Strong negotiation and contract management skills.
• Comfortable with stakeholders and a growing function.
• Proactive, commercially aware and switched on.

Responsibilities

• Lead procurement and contract renewals across Professional Services and IT.
• Manage contract renewals, tenders and commercial negotiations.
• Manage supplier and third-party relationships.
• Drive cost optimisation, supplier performance and risk management.
• Conduct market and spend analysis.
• Manage contracts through the full lifecycle.
• Support outsourcing and vendor management activity.
• Work with stakeholders and the procurement team to improve processes.

Skills

Category management

Procurement

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

Commercial awareness

Growing function

Tools

Workday Strategic Sourcing

Job description

Outsource UK Limited is seeking a Category Lead to support a growing procurement team in Manchester. You will manage Professional Services and IT categories, focusing on renewals, supplier management and negotiations in a fast-moving, less mature environment.

The role is hybrid, combining office presence with remote work, and involves driving cost optimisation and process improvements across ~150 contracts.