Technology Category Manager - Infrastructure, Cloud & Services

VanRath; Belfast City District; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Job summary

VanRath is recruiting a Category Manager - Technology to join a global technology environment. Based in London, this role leads strategic sourcing across Infrastructure, Cloud, Software, SaaS and IT Services, delivering end-to-end procurement with senior stakeholders.

You will drive a 3-year technology category strategy, manage complex contracts, and identify cost savings while ensuring governance and risk controls are met.

Qualifications

• Proven experience managing Technology Infrastructure projects including Cloud.
• Strong track record in Software, SaaS and Software Licensing procurement.
• Experience in IT Services procurement and commercial contract negotiations.
• Demonstrable category management and strategic sourcing expertise.
• History of delivering cost savings and commercial value through procurement.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management with senior leadership.
• Ability to analyse procurement data and market trends to identify opportunities.
• Familiarity with procurement systems and technology.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic sourcing and procurement projects from planning to implementation.
• Manage end-to-end sourcing activity including tenders, benchmarking and negotiations.
• Handle high-value technology contracts with multiple stakeholders.
• Develop and deliver a 3-year rolling Technology Category Sourcing Strategy.
• Identify opportunities for cost savings, improved supplier performance and value.

Skills

Technology infrastructure

Cloud

Software

SaaS

IT services

Contract negotiations

Category management

Strategic sourcing

Cost savings

Stakeholder management

Project management

Tools

Procurement systems

FinOps awareness

Job description

Job Description

My client, a leading global organisation within a highly regulated and technology-driven industry, is hiring a Category Manager - Technology (Infrastructure, Cloud & Services) to join an established Procurement function based in London.

This is a 12-month Fixed Term Contract and is a key role within the Technology Procurement team, responsible for managing strategic sourcing, category management and complex commercial projects across Infrastructure, Cloud, Software, SaaS, Licensing and IT Services.

• Competitive salary
• Hybrid working
• 12-month Fixed Term Contract
• Senior stakeholder exposure
• Opportunity to work across a global technology environment
• Strategic and commercially focused role

You will join a strategic Procurement function responsible for delivering commercial value, managing supplier relationships and supporting the organisation's wider technology and business objectives.

As a Category Manager - Technology, you will support the development and delivery of a 3-year rolling Technology Category Sourcing Strategy. You will lead strategic sourcing and procurement projects from initial planning through to implementation, managing multiple workstreams, stakeholders, risks, dependencies and commercial outcomes.

You will be responsible for delivering end-to-end sourcing activity, including competitive tenders, supplier benchmarking, supplier evaluation, contract negotiations and implementation. The role will also involve managing complex, high-value technology contracts and working closely with senior Technology, Finance, business and supplier stakeholders.

You will play a key role in identifying opportunities to deliver cost savings, efficiencies, improved supplier performance and broader commercial value, while ensuring appropriate third-party risk, governance and contractual requirements are met.

The Person

• Proven experience managing and procuring Technology Infrastructure projects/programmes, including Cloud.
• Strong experience across Software, SaaS and Software Licensing procurement.
• Experience procuring IT Services, including Outsourcing, T&M and Outcome-Based Services.
• Significant experience in commercial contract negotiations within Technology/Software spend categories.
• Strong category management and strategic sourcing experience, including the ability to formulate and execute category strategies.
• Demonstrable track record of delivering cost savings, efficiencies and commercial value.
• Strong project and programme management skills, with experience managing procurement projects from planning through to implementation.
• Excellent communication, influencing and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience working with and presenting to senior Technology/business leadership.
• Strong supplier management experience, including supplier evaluation, performance management and relationship development.
• Ability to analyse procurement data, market trends and supplier information to identify commercial opportunities and support decision-making.
• Good understanding of technology-related commercial contracts, particularly software, SaaS, licensing, Cloud and IT Services agreements.
• Familiarity with procurement systems and technology.
• Experience working within a complex, regulated or highly commercial environment would be advantageous.
• Experience with FinOps and Cloud Cost Optimisation would be desirable.
• Experience within financial services, capital markets or another regulated technology environment would be beneficial.