Job Description Category Manager (IT Procurement)

Position Summary:

We are seeking an experienced Category Manager IT Procurement to lead strategic sourcing initiatives and manage complex procurement activities across the IT category. This role is responsible for developing category strategies, managing supplier relationships, leading end-to-end sourcing events, negotiating commercial agreements, and delivering cost optimization while ensuring governance, compliance, and risk management.

The successful candidate will collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders to deliver commercial value, support business objectives, and drive procurement excellence.

Key Responsibilities:

Category Management & Strategy:

- Develop and execute category strategies aligned with business objectives.

- Analyze spend data, supplier markets, and industry trends to identify cost optimization and value creation opportunities.

- Build sourcing roadmaps and procurement strategies for assigned categories.

- Support continuous improvement initiatives to simplify procurement processes and enhance operational efficiency.

Strategic Sourcing:

- Manage end-to-end sourcing activities including RFIs, RFQs, RFPs, tendering, supplier evaluation, negotiations, contract award, and supplier onboarding.

- Lead complex procurement projects independently while managing multiple priorities.

- Conduct Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) evaluations and commercial analysis to support sourcing decisions.

- Prepare procurement strategies, recommendation papers, and executive presentations.

Supplier & Stakeholder Management:

- Build and maintain strategic relationships with suppliers to improve performance, innovation, and service delivery.

- Partner with internal stakeholders to understand business requirements and deliver procurement solutions aligned with operational needs.

- Manage supplier performance through KPIs, governance meetings, and regular business reviews.

- Resolve commercial and supplier-related issues through effective negotiation and collaboration.

Contract & Commercial Management:

- Negotiate commercial terms and conditions to maximize business value and minimize risk.

- Work closely with Legal, Finance, Risk, Compliance, and business teams during contract development and execution.

- Support contract lifecycle management including renewals, amendments, supplier performance reviews, and contract governance.

- Ensure procurement documentation is complete, accurate, and compliant with company policies.

Governance, Risk & Compliance:

- Ensure procurement activities comply with organizational policies, regulatory requirements, ethical sourcing standards, and corporate governance.

- Identify and mitigate commercial, contractual, operational, financial, and supplier risks.

- Maintain accurate procurement records and reporting throughout the sourcing lifecycle.

- Support procurement audits and continuous governance improvements.

Reporting & Continuous Improvement:

- Develop procurement reports, dashboards, and KPI tracking mechanisms.

- Monitor procurement savings, cost avoidance, supplier performance, and procurement pipeline.

- Utilize market intelligence and benchmarking to enhance procurement outcomes.

- Leverage AI-enabled tools and digital procurement technologies to improve sourcing analysis, documentation, and operational efficiency while maintaining confidentiality and compliance.

Required Qualifications:

- Bachelor's Degree in Information Technology, Business, Supply Chain, Procurement, or a related discipline.

- Master's degree or relevant postgraduate qualification is preferred.

Experience:

- 710 years of procurement experience with a strong focus on IT procurement.

- Proven experience managing end-to-end sourcing and strategic procurement initiatives.

- Experience negotiating medium to high-value commercial agreements.

- Demonstrated experience in supplier relationship management and category management.

- Experience working with cross-functional stakeholders across IT, Finance, Legal, Risk, and Operations.

- Experience managing multiple procurement projects simultaneously.

Required Skills:

- Strategic sourcing and category management

- IT procurement

- Contract negotiation and commercial management

- Supplier relationship management

- Procurement governance and compliance

- Spend analysis and market intelligence

- Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) analysis

- Procurement reporting and KPI management

- Risk assessment and mitigation

- Stakeholder engagement and influencing

- Strong negotiation and communication skills

- Project management and prioritization

- Procurement systems (SAP, Ariba, Coupa or equivalent)

- Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word)

- Experience using AI tools to improve procurement analysis, documentation, and efficiency

Key Competencies:

- Strategic thinking

- Commercial acumen

- Analytical problem-solving

- Relationship management

- Negotiation and influencing

- Customer focus

- Collaboration

- Continuous improvement mindset

- Results orientation

- Strong written and verbal communication

- Adaptability in a fast-paced environment

Success Measures:

- Delivery of procurement savings and cost optimization targets

- Timely completion of sourcing initiatives

- Supplier performance against agreed KPIs

- Stakeholder satisfaction

- Compliance with procurement governance and policies

- Effective contract execution and risk management

- Accurate procurement reporting and benefits tracking

- Continuous improvement in procurement processes and supplier outcomes