Senior Procurement Category Manager

OptumUK; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Job summary

Optum UK is seeking a Senior Procurement Category Manager to lead technology procurement, end-to-end sourcing, and complex supplier negotiations across cloud, software and IT services. You will own high-value contracts and partner with stakeholders to deliver commercial outcomes and cost optimisation.

This hybrid role combines remote work with weekly presence at the Fulford Grange office (LS19 6BA). You will implement category strategies, manage supplier relationships and risk, and drive best

Qualifications

• Proven experience in technology procurement (cloud, SaaS, IT services).
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• Experience managing complex sourcing processes and contract negotiations.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end sourcing and procurement activity across technology categories including cloud, software and IT services.
• Own and lead complex, high-value commercial negotiations with key suppliers (e.g. AWS, Microsoft).
• Develop and implement category strategies aligned to business objectives.
• Manage supplier relationships, performance and risk across key contracts.
• Identify and deliver cost optimisation opportunities across spend areas.
• Partner with stakeholders to provide commercial insight and support decision-making.
• Support supplier transition activity and delivery of high-priority contracts during a period of operational change.

Skills

Technology procurement

End-to-end sourcing

Contract negotiations

Stakeholder management

Supplier relationship management

Cost optimisation

Job description

Are you an experienced procurement professional with strong expertise in technology sourcing and complex commercial negotiations?

Do you enjoy leading high-value deals, working with key stakeholders, and driving value across cloud, software and IT supplier landscapes? If so, we’d love you to read on.

About the Team:

Our procurement team is undergoing an exciting transformation as we strengthen and scale our capability to support the business. We’re creating a lean, high-performing team focused on delivering commercial value, strengthening supplier relationships and supporting business growth.

This role will play a key part in leading our most complex and high-value technology procurement activity.

This role is hybrid working; you will work predominantly from home and once a week in our Fulford Grange office (LS19 6BA).

About the Role:

As a Senior Procurement Category Manager, you will act as a subject matter expert for technology procurement, leading end-to-end sourcing, supplier negotiations and contract management across key spend areas.

You will take ownership of high-value and complex contracts, including cloud, SaaS and IT services, and partner closely with stakeholders to deliver commercial outcomes and cost optimisation.

You will also support the wider procurement function by embedding best practice and driving consistency across procurement processes.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead end-to-end sourcing and procurement activity across technology categories including cloud, software and IT services
• Own and lead complex, high-value commercial negotiations with key suppliers (e.g. AWS, Microsoft)
• Develop and implement category strategies aligned to business objectives
• Manage supplier relationships, performance and risk across key contracts
• Identify and deliver cost optimisation opportunities across spend areas
• Partner with stakeholders to provide commercial insight and support decision-making
• Support supplier transition activity and delivery of high-priority contracts during a period of operational change

Who You Are:

You are a strong procurement professional with technical expertise in technology sourcing and a proven ability to lead complex commercial negotiations.

You are confident working with senior stakeholders, comfortable managing multiple priorities, and thrive in a fast-paced, evolving environment. Your commercial acumen and attention to detail enable you to deliver value and mitigate risk across supplier relationships.

Key Skills, Experience & Qualifications

• Proven experience in technology procurement (software, SaaS, cloud or IT services)
• Demonstrable experience managing complex sourcing processes and contract negotiations
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills
• Experience in supplier relationship management and contract lifecycle management
• Strong commercial acumen and analytical capability

Ready to Join Us?

At Optum, we are a UK leader in integrated healthcare software and services, supporting healthcare professionals across primary and community care, pharmacy, secondary care and specialist services. Our technology enables better, faster and more efficient patient care across the UK healthcare system.

Diversity creates a healthier atmosphere: UnitedHealth Group is an Equal Employment Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.