Sourcing Category Manager - Software

Nomura; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading financial services firm is seeking a Sourcing Category Manager for Software with a focus on managing vendor engagements and negotiating contracts. The candidate will work closely with stakeholders to develop sourcing strategies and oversee contract negotiations. This role requires significant experience in sourcing and a strong understanding of software contracts. Excellent communication and team management skills are essential for success in this position, which offers a hybrid work environment.

Qualifications

• Proven Sourcing experience in relevant spend categories.
• Several years of sourcing experience in a blue-chip environment.
• Understanding of Software contracts and commercial levers.

Responsibilities

• Develop overall spend category strategy with stakeholders.
• Manage category-wide efficiency and governance initiatives.
• Lead RFPs and complex commercial negotiations.

Skills

Sourcing experience

Commercial negotiation

Team management

Communication skills

Stakeholder management

Education

Degree level qualification or equivalent

CIPS or other Sourcing/Procurement qualification

Job description

Job title: Sourcing Category Manager – Software

Role type: Permanent or Contract*

Corporate Title: Vice President

Department: Group Sourcing, Group CIO

Location: London, UK (Hybrid)

*This role can be considered on either a permanent basis or as a 12‑month contract, based on headcounts available.

Experience: Proven Sourcing experience in the relevant spend categories

Company overview

Nomura is a global financial services group with an integrated network spanning approximately 30 countries and regions. By connecting markets East & West, Nomura services the needs of individuals, institutions, corporates and governments through its three business divisions: Wealth Management, Investment Management, and Wholesale (Global Markets and Investment Banking). Founded in 1925, the firm is built on a tradition of disciplined entrepreneurship, serving clients with creative solutions and considered thought leadership.

Department overview

Nomura is currently in the process of establishing a new Group Sourcing function to operate across Nomura Group companies, regions and functions to deliver an ongoing contribution to cost efficiency and commercial/contract risk mitigation associated with vendor engagements, and drive efficiencies through spend category commercial support, vendor/contract consolidation and Group‑wide economies of scale.

Role responsibilities

• Supporting the Global Sourcing Category Lead – Software in developing the overall spend category strategy in partnership with key stakeholders and managing the effective delivery of that strategy
• Managing and/or providing oversight to category‑wide efficiency and governance initiatives
• Effective management and delivery of new deals and renewals
• Influencing the adoption of appropriate sourcing strategies and activities
• Leading RFPs and renewals, including complex and high‑profile commercial/contractual negotiations
• Significant interaction with senior internal clients and senior representatives from external vendors
• Creating and presenting impactful deal summaries/recommendations
• Working as part of cross‑functional and cross‑regional teams
• Providing a commercial advisory service to key stakeholders
• Meeting or exceeding a range of financial and non‑financial performance targets
• Ability to build and maintain collaborative working relationships with stakeholders
• Build strong supplier relationships and supplier management programmes; driving initiatives with suppliers in co‑ordination with the business and corporate functions
• Supporting the ongoing development of Nomura’s Group Sourcing function
• Where applicable, supporting the execution of Business Continuity plans and pro‑active operational risk management

Skills, experience, qualifications and knowledge required

• Degree level qualification or equivalent
• CIPS or other professional Sourcing/Procurement qualification desirable
• Several years of experience of sourcing the relevant spend categories in a blue‑chip environment, with a proven track record of successfully leading commercial and contract activities, including:
• Supporting in the development and maintenance of strategic Category‑wide plans and initiatives in conjunction with stakeholders
• Portfolio opportunity analysis and subsequent benefit delivery
• Effectively influencing the sourcing strategy for individual projects
• Leading internal/market analysis, competitive bidding and negotiation activities for regional and global agreements, with a range of value and complexity
• Re‑negotiation and value extraction from embedded legacy / incumbent suppliers
• Knowledge of the pricing and contracting mechanisms for global enterprise level suppliers
• Excellent understanding of commercial levers and legal terms and conditions relating to Software contracts
• Knowledge of supply market, supplier capabilities, and expected trends at a geographic and global level
• Experience of negotiating enterprise software licensing agreements with the likes of Microsoft, Oracle, Salesforce or similar
• Understanding of software license metrics and principles of software asset management
• Experience in a Banking environment may be an advantage, but is not essential
• Staff management experience essential and cross‑regional team experience an advantage
• Ability to motivate, organise and develop team members
• Strong and experienced commercial and contract negotiator
• Highly credible, an effective communicator (written and verbal) and able to influence senior external vendors and senior internal clients
• Self‑starter who can work with minimal supervision and manage a large volume of projects
• Can contribute effectively to and/or co‑ordinate cross‑functional teams
• Can drive projects to a conclusion while maintaining a high quality of task delivery

Explore Insights & Vision

• Identify the underlying causes of problems faced by you or your team and define a clear vision and direction for the future.

Making Strategic Decisions

• Evaluate all the options for resolving the problems and effectively prioritize actions or recommendations.
• Inspire team members through effective communication of ideas and motivate them to actively enhance productivity.

Elevate Organizational Capability

• Engage proactively in professional development and enhance team productivity through the promotion of knowledge sharing.

Inclusion

• Respect DEI, foster a culture of psychological safety in the workplace and cultivate a "Risk Culture" (Challenge, Escalate and Respect).

Right to Work

The UK Government have taken steps to reduce net migration to the UK by limiting the number of overseas workers from outside the EEA coming to the UK for employment. Please note that whilst we are able to consider applications from overseas workers from outside the EEA (who require a Tier 2 (General) visa) we can only employ them if we can provide evidence that there are no other suitable candidates for this vacancy from inside the EEA.

Please contact us if you are visiting our offices and require any form of personal assistance or physical adaptations to be provided for your appointment. A member of staff will be happy to help.

Diversity Statement

Nomura is committed to an employment policy of equal opportunities and is fundamentally opposed to any less favourable treatment accorded to existing or potential members of staff on the grounds of race, creed, colour, nationality, disability, marital status, pregnancy, gender or sexual orientation. If you require any assistance or reasonable adjustments due to a disability or long‑term health condition, please do not hesitate to contact us.