Senior Category Manager - IT Procurement

Aviva; West of England; Hybrid; GBP 75,000 - 86,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Pension scheme

Private Medical Benefit

Matching Share Plan

Volunteer days

Flexible benefits

Job summary

Aviva is seeking a Senior Category Manager to lead end-to-end IT procurement within a major technology spend category. Based in Norwich, Bristol, Leeds or York with 50% hybrid working, you will shape sourcing strategies, negotiate high-value IT contracts and drive supplier performance.

You'll work with senior stakeholders, manage commercial risk, and deliver sustainable cost benefits that support Aviva's strategy and growth.

Qualifications

• End-to-end category management experience in IT procurement.
• Proven ability to source complex technology solutions and negotiate high-value IT contracts.
• Strong stakeholder influencing skills across senior levels.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving and risk-management capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end commercial activity across a significant technology spend category.
• Develop and execute sourcing strategies aligned to business priorities.
• Negotiate complex technology agreements and drive supplier performance.
• Provide commercial guidance to support decision-making and manage risk.

Skills

IT procurement

End-to-end category management

Negotiation of complex IT contracts

Stakeholder management

Analytical thinking

Job description

Location: Norwich, Bristol, Leeds or York based (50% hybrid working)

This is a great job for someone who thrives on shaping innovative commercial decisions and building strong, trusted relationships across the business. You'll enjoy working in a fast-paced environment, taking ownership of critical spend areas, and influencing how Aviva partners with strategic Network and Cyber Security vendors. It's an excellent opportunity for someone with strong IT procurement expertise who wants to lead meaningful change, deliver commercial value, and contribute directly to work that underpins Aviva's strategy and future growth.

A bit about the job:

As Senior Category Manager , you'll lead end-to-end commercial activity across a significant technology spend category, ensuring Aviva secures maximum value from its supplier partnerships. Working closely with senior stakeholders across the business, you'll develop and execute sourcing strategies aligned to business priorities, negotiate complex technology agreements, and drive supplier performance. You'll provide expert commercial guidance to support decision-making, manage risk effectively, and identify opportunities to deliver sustainable cost benefits. Your market insight and commercial expertise will play a key role in shaping Aviva's technology partnerships and future capability.

Skills and experience we're looking for:

• Strong commercial acumen with proven end-to-end category management and IT procurement experience within regulated environments.
• Demonstrable success sourcing complex technology solutions and negotiating high-value IT contracts.
• Good understanding of network, telephony and cyber security products, services, licensing models, and wider technology markets.
• Experience building effective relationships with senior stakeholders and influencing decision‑making at all levels.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to simplify complexity, make data‑driven decisions, and manage commercial risk

What you’ll get for this role:

Our purpose - with you today, for a better tomorrow – is a promise we make to our colleagues too. And one of the ways we live up to that promise is by investing in you. We have so much to offer when it comes to being an Aviva colleague.

• Salary - Circa £75,000 (depending on location, skills, experience, and qualifications)
• Bonus opportunity - 12% of annual salary, (actual amount depends on your performance and Aviva’s.)
• Generous pension scheme e.g. if you put in 8%, Aviva adds 14%
• 29 days holiday plus bank holidays, and you can choose to buy or sell up to 5 days
• Aviva‑funded Private Medical Benefit to help you get expert support when you need it
• Make your money go further - Up to 40% discount on Aviva products, and other retailer discounts
• Up to £1,200 of free Aviva shares per year through our Matching Share Plan and share in the success of Aviva with our Save As You Earn scheme
• Brilliantly supportive policies including parental and carer’s leave
• Flexible benefits to suit you, including sustainability options such as cycle to work
• Make a difference, be part of our Aviva Communities and use your 3 paid volunteering days to help others
• We take your wellbeing seriously with lots of support and tools

Take a look to learn more. Put a salary into this calculator to see what your total Aviva Reward could be.

Aviva is for everyone:

We’re inclusive and welcome everyone – we want applications from all backgrounds and experiences. Excited but not sure you tick every box? Even if you don’t, we would still encourage you to apply. We also consider all forms of flexible working, including part time and job shares.

We flex locations, hours and working patterns to suit our customers, business, and you. Most of our people are smart working – spending at least 50% of their time in our offices every week - combining the benefits of flexibility, with time together with colleagues.

To find out more about working at Aviva take a look here