Senior IT Cloud & Infrastructure Commercial Leader

SSE PLC; Havant; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance-related bonus

Flexible first options

Private healthcare discounts

Gym memberships

Cycle to Work scheme

Maternity & adoption pay

Job summary

SSE plc is seeking a Senior Category Manager - IT Cloud & Infrastructure to lead the commercial strategy for a major technology portfolio. You will shape investment decisions, manage supplier relationships, and drive value across cloud, hosting, compute, storage and infrastructure services.

The role reports to the Head of Procurement for IT & Telco and requires influencing senior leaders, managing cross-functional teams, and delivering sustained commercial outcomes.

Qualifications

• Proven record of owning enterprise IT category strategies across Cloud/Infrastructure in a large organisation.
• Experience leading high-value sourcing and negotiations with global technology providers.
• Deep expertise in cloud economics, hyperscaler contracts and cost optimisation.
• Ability to shape investment decisions and supplier strategies across complex tech environments.
• Strong commercial, contractual and risk management skills.
• Executive presence with influence over senior leaders and cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute the multi-year commercial strategy for IT Cloud & Infrastructure, aligned to SSE's priorities.
• Direct complex, high-value sourcing and negotiations, establishing commercial models that optimise value and risk.
• Provide authoritative commercial counsel to senior stakeholders, translating market and technology complexity into clear strategic choices.
• Set the agenda with key global technology providers, strengthening executive relationships and driving performance and competitive tension.
• Translate spend, demand and market intelligence into a prioritised pipeline of cost optimisation and value creation.
• Maintain executive oversight of portfolio performance and governance, reporting to the Head of Procurement for IT & Telco.

Skills

Cloud & infrastructure

Sourcing negotiations

Executive stakeholder management

Cloud economics

Vendor management

Leadership

Education

CIPS or equivalent qualification

Job description

SSE plc is seeking a Senior Category Manager - IT Cloud & Infrastructure to lead the commercial strategy for a major technology portfolio. You will shape investment decisions, manage supplier relationships, and drive value across cloud, hosting, compute, storage and infrastructure services.

The role reports to the Head of Procurement for IT & Telco and requires influencing senior leaders, managing cross-functional teams, and delivering sustained commercial outcomes.