Strategic IT Category Manager (Hybrid)

Proactive Appointments; Purbrook; Hybrid; GBP 61,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangement

Excellent benefits package

Job summary

Proactive Appointments in Portsmouth is recruiting an IT Category Manager to own the IT procurement strategy, lead sourcing, and manage supplier relationships. The role requires a commercially driven procurement professional who can drive value, innovation and efficiencies across the organisation.

You will collaborate with internal stakeholders, maintain governance, ensure compliance, and deliver cost reductions through standardisation and strategic sourcing across IT categories.

Qualifications

• Analyse and present complex procurement data to stakeholders.
• Strong organisation to manage multiple workstreams.
• Excellent negotiation and influencing skills.
• Outstanding communication and stakeholder engagement abilities.
• Self-starter with resilience under pressure.
• Knowledge of water industry or IT category supply chain.
• Experience in strategic sourcing in multi-stakeholder environments.
• Transferable business or supply chain knowledge.
• Track record delivering against stretching targets.

Responsibilities

• Support development and continual improvement of procurement practices across full lifecycle.
• Build trusted relationships with internal stakeholders and external suppliers.
• Deliver exceptional customer service to internal teams and external partners.
• Promote continuous improvement in procurement procedures and practices.
• Manage IT category spend with strategic impact aligned to business goals.
• Develop and implement category and demand strategies with stakeholders.
• Lead commercial activities across sourcing lifecycle to maximise value.
• Drive cost reduction through standardisation and aggregation.
• Ensure compliance with procurement regulations and data protection.

Skills

Negotiation

Stakeholder engagement

Communication

Organisation / multitasking

Resilience under pressure

Industry knowledge (water/IT)

Strategic sourcing

Target delivery

Education

CIPS or MCIPS

Job description

Proactive Appointments in Portsmouth is recruiting an IT Category Manager to own the IT procurement strategy, lead sourcing, and manage supplier relationships. The role requires a commercially driven procurement professional who can drive value, innovation and efficiencies across the organisation.

You will collaborate with internal stakeholders, maintain governance, ensure compliance, and deliver cost reductions through standardisation and strategic sourcing across IT categories.