IT Indirect Procurement Manager – Senior Category Manager – Technology
Location: Surrey, London – Hybrid – Manufacturer
The organisation is a well‑sized company within the retail / manufacturing industry, known for its commitment to operational excellence and delivering value to its customers. The company fosters a professional environment that prioritises efficiency and innovation.
Description
As an experienced Procurement Manager IT‑Technology, you will lead end‑to‑end procurement activities across hardware, software, telecoms, and IT services. This is a senior, business‑facing role where you will provide category expertise, partner closely with stakeholders across the organisation, and play a key role in optimising supplier relationships globally.
Key Responsibilities
- Own the end‑to‑end procurement lifecycle, including negotiation and contract strategy development, supplier negotiations, and contract creation, working closely with IT stakeholders and Legal
- Partner with Category Managers to develop and deliver category strategies for key suppliers and sub‑categories, aligned with business and leadership priorities
- Lead and deliver procurement initiatives including RFI, RFP, and contract negotiations, using fact‑based approaches such as supplier and market analysis, benchmarking, and cost modelling
- Drive strategic sourcing activity across IT categories, ensuring robust governance, process compliance, and high stakeholder satisfaction
- Support and deliver wider procurement transformation and continuous improvement initiatives to streamline processes and enhance performance
- Ensure compliance with internal policies and external regulations, including security, data privacy, and global procurement governance requirements
- Maintain accurate procurement documentation and reporting, including master data, purchase orders, KPIs, and key contract terms
- Deliver agreed financial and performance KPIs, including savings and cost avoidance targets
- Manage strategic and high‑risk supplier relationships, in line with Global Vendor Management standards, including:
- Monthly supplier review meetings
- Quarterly business reviews (QRS) and leadership updates
- SLA performance measurement and reporting
- Identify supplier risks within managed categories, quantify exposure, and implement effective risk mitigation strategies
- Collaborate cross‑functionally with IT, Finance, Legal, and other business areas to manage priorities, optimise performance, and identify future opportunities.
Profile (Qualifications)
- A proven track record working as a category lead for technology / IT Procurement
- 8-10 years' experience in IT procurement and vendor management (hardware, software, and IT services)
- Strong understanding of IT markets, technologies, and the strategic impact of IT on the wider business and customers
- Extensive experience negotiating high‑value IT contracts (greater than £1 million)
- Highly analytical, with the ability to interpret complex data from multiple sources
- Proven programme and stakeholder management capability
- Excellent influencing, negotiation, and relationship‑building skills, including at executive level
- Experience managing strategically critical suppliers across multiple geographies and ideally a global remit
- Ideally a university degree (or equivalent experience)
- MUST have a track record of managing end‑to‑end procurements with IT category spend
Job Offer / Benefits
- Competitive Salary + Bonus
- Professional environment with a focus on operational excellence and innovation
- Great opportunities for career development
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