Senior Category Manager

None; London; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Senior Category Manager to lead the transformation of its digital backbone. This pivotal role involves architecting innovative category strategies for Application Development & Maintenance services, collaborating with IT leaders, and managing supplier relationships. You will drive value through advanced analytics and outcome-based models while ensuring alignment with enterprise goals. Join a dynamic team committed to shaping the future of digital delivery and make a significant impact on millions of lives. If you are a strategic thinker with a passion for procurement, this opportunity is perfect for you.

Benefits

Private Healthcare

Generous Annual Leave

Family Friendly Support

Discounts and Offers

Company Sick Pay

Wellbeing Services

Pension Scheme

Qualifications

• 5+ years in strategic sourcing or category management.
• Deep expertise in ADM services including agile and DevOps.
• Proven success in complex contract negotiations.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and execution of innovative category strategies.
• Manage end-to-end sourcing initiatives and supplier relationships.
• Monitor market trends and inform strategy.

Skills

Strategic Sourcing

Category Management

Contract Negotiation

Financial Acumen

Stakeholder Engagement

Agile Methodologies

DevOps

System Integration

Education

Degree in Business

Degree in IT

Degree in Supply Chain

MBA

MCIPS

Job description

Job reference 324611

Senior Category Manager
Competitive salary, plus £5,500 car allowance or £5,000 cash equivalent, private healthcare, 18% annual bonus potential, company pension scheme with highly competitive contribution rates and generous annual leave offering of 27.5 days, plus bank holidays, increasing to 30 days after 10 years’ service.
Permanent, Full time
Location: This is a Hybrid Working role with a requirement to attend our Royal Mail, 185 Farringdon Road, London, EC1A 1AA or Royal Mail, Future Walk, Chesterfield, S49 1PF office three days per week, with flexibility required in line with business needs.

Are you ready to lead the transformation of a national institution’s digital backbone?

Royal Mail is on the lookout for a Senior Category Manager with a bold vision and strategic mindset to revolutionize how we source, manage, and evolve our Application Development & Maintenance (ADM) ecosystem.

This is more than a procurement role — it’s a leadership opportunity to architect the next generation of IT services partnerships that will power our digital future.

At Royal Mail, you’ll be at the heart of a digital transformation journey that touches millions of lives. Apply now and help us build the future of digital delivery.

About the role

Reporting to the Category Director you will:

• Lead the Strategy: Design and execute innovative category strategies for ADM services, aligned with our IT roadmap and enterprise goals.
• Drive Innovation: Collaborate with IT and digital leaders to co-create sourcing models that accelerate delivery, enhance customer experience, and fuel growth.
• Deliver Value: Reimagine cost structures through outcome-based models, advanced analytics, and total cost of ownership optimization.
• Own Supplier Relationships: Manage end-to-end sourcing initiatives, from RFPs to contract negotiations and performance management.
• Be a Trusted Advisor: Partner with senior stakeholders across IT, finance, legal, and business units to deliver sourcing solutions that drive innovation and efficiency.
• Stay Ahead: Monitor market trends, emerging tech, and pricing benchmarks to inform strategy and mitigate risk.

About You

What You Need

• A strategic thinker and change agent who sees procurement as a lever for transformation.
• Deep expertise in ADM services, including agile, DevOps, legacy modernisation, and system integration.
• You’ll have 5 or more years in strategic sourcing or category management, with at least 5 years in IT services procurement.
• Proven success in complex contract negotiations and managing multi-million-pound ADM spend.
• Strong financial acumen, analytical skills, and stakeholder engagement capabilities.
• A degree in Business, IT, Supply Chain, or related field (MBA preferred).
• Professional Qualifications – MCIPS (desirable).
  

Extra Benefits

•Family friendly support - enhanced maternity pay, paternity leave, adoption leave and shared parental leave
•Discounts and offers - there are more than 800 offers to help you save on things like groceries, days out, holidays and your household bills*.
•Supportive and generous company sick pay
•Your Wellbeing -you and your family have 24/7 access to services and tools to help you get the most out of life. From your physical and mental health to financial and social support and advice. It’s free, and it’s for everyone.
*Available only to perm employees

Next Steps

Closing Date: Wednesday 14th May 2025. Please note, this advert may close early if the appropriate number of applications has been reached.

Trust forms the foundation of everything we do in Royal Mail. We want to be transparent about what kind of qualities we are looking for and build trust from the very beginning of your journey with us. The first step is your interview, and we mean ‘your’ interview. We want to give you the opportunity to shine. To enable you to do this, we will provide you with your interview questions ahead of the interview taking place. This will allow you time to prepare, and ensure you have your best examples in mind. Royal Mail Group values both trust, and our people.

Royal Mail are proud of our diverse employee network groups and the active role they play to support belonging and encourage a positive work environment. We are firmly committed to inclusion and passionate about our people representing the communities we serve.

We are happy to support your need for any adjustments during the application and hiring process. Please share the details within your application if required.

We are Forces family friendly and a Gold signatory to the Armed Forces Covenant. We welcome applications from ex-Armed Forces personnel, reservists, veterans, cadet instructors and military spouses/partners.

For more information on Royal Mail Group and our values please click here: https://www.internationaldistributionsservices.com/en/about-us/

#LI-POST #RMG #LIMRT #LI-Hybrid

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