Senior Procurement Category Manager – IT & AI

Confidential Jobs; Hyderabad; Hybrid; INR 2,000,000 - 3,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Confidential Jobs is looking for a Senior Procurement Category Manager for IT & AI in Hyderabad or Noida. In this role, you will oversee a $20M annual spend and develop procurement strategies that align with business objectives.

Applicants should have 7–10 years of experience in category management, strong negotiation skills, and proficiency with procurement platforms. This position offers a unique opportunity to influence organizational outcomes while collaborating with cutting-edge suppliers.

Qualifications

• 7–10 years of progressive procurement or category management experience.
• Proven track record managing $15M+ in annual spend and delivering consistent cost savings.
• Strong commercial negotiation skills for complex IT contracts.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute IT & AI category strategies.
• Manage $20M+ in annual IT category spend.
• Lead end-to-end strategic sourcing events.

Skills

Procurement strategy

Strategic sourcing methodologies

Commercial negotiation

Stakeholder management

Market analysis

Financial acumen

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management or related field

Professional certification (CPM, CPSM, CSCP)

Tools

SAP Ariba

Coupa

Oracle

Advanced Excel

Job description

Senior Procurement Category Manager – IT & AI

Location: Hyderabad or Noida, India (Hybrid)

Function: Procurement / IT & AI Category Management

About the Opportunity

A leading global organization is seeking a commercially sharp and strategically minded Senior Procurement Category Manager to own its IT & AI spend portfolio. This is a high-impact role managing approximately $20M in annual spend, offering significant visibility and the opportunity to shape procurement strategy in one of the fastest-evolving category landscapes — technology and artificial intelligence.

What You'll Do

• Develop and execute comprehensive IT & AI category strategies, including market analysis, sourcing roadmaps, and 3-year plans aligned to business objectives
• Manage $20M+ in annual IT category spend, delivering year-over-year savings of 5–10% while maintaining or improving quality and service levels
• Lead end-to-end strategic sourcing events — RFx processes, supplier evaluations, negotiations, contract awards, and implementation planning for complex, high-value procurements
• Negotiate favorable pricing, terms, SLAs, and contract provisions across software, infrastructure, and AI/emerging technology agreements
• Build and sustain strategic supplier partnerships through quarterly business reviews, performance scorecards, and continuous improvement programs
• Partner closely with internal stakeholders across IT, Finance, Legal, and Operations to translate business requirements into effective procurement strategies
• Monitor market trends, pricing dynamics, and supply base shifts in the IT and AI space to deliver timely intelligence to the business
• Identify and mitigate supply chain and vendor risks; ensure compliance with regulatory and policy requirements
• Champion process improvement and best practice adoption across the procurement function
• Mentor junior procurement team members and contribute to capability building across the organization

What We're Looking For

• 7–10 years of progressive procurement or category management experience, with a focus on IT categories in a corporate environment
• Proven track record managing $15M+ in annual spend and delivering consistent cost savings of 5–10%+
• Deep expertise in strategic sourcing methodologies — RFx, should-cost modeling, TCO analysis, supplier evaluation frameworks
• Strong commercial negotiation skills with demonstrated success in complex, high-value IT or technology contracts
• Solid understanding of IT market dynamics — software licensing, SaaS, infrastructure, managed services, and emerging AI solutions
• Advanced analytical and financial acumen: spend analysis, cost modeling, and business case development
• Exceptional stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence senior leaders and technical teams
• Proficiency with procurement platforms (SAP Ariba, Coupa, Oracle, or similar), spend analytics tools, and advanced Excel; BI tools a plus
• Excellent communication skills and executive presence — able to present complex information clearly to diverse audiences
• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Information Technology, or a related field
• Professional certification: CPM, CPSM, CSCP, or equivalent
• Contract law knowledge and experience negotiating complex IT terms and conditions
• Project management certification or demonstrated project leadership experience

Why Join Us?

This role sits at the intersection of procurement excellence and technology strategy — a unique opportunity to drive measurable financial impact while engaging with cutting-edge suppliers in AI, SaaS, and enterprise technology. You'll work in a collaborative, high-performance environment with direct influence on organizational outcomes.

This is a confidential search. The hiring organization will be disclosed to shortlisted candidates.

To apply, please submit your CV along with a brief summary of your IT category management experience and key savings achievements.