Senior Category Manager - Technology

Description:

As a Category Manager - Technology, based in Leeds, you'll focus on managing procurement and supply chain activities to ensure efficient and cost-effective operations. You'll play a key role in driving value for the organisation by overseeing vendor relationships and sourcing strategies

Client Details

A large corporate organisation who is growing their procurement function located in Leeds

Description

As Senior Procurement Category Lead - Technology, you will be responsible for developing and delivering category strategies across a substantial technology portfolio.

You'll lead some of the organisation's most strategically important and commercially significant sourcing initiatives, helping to optimise costs, improve supplier performance, mitigate risk and support innovation across the business.

This role sits at the centre of technology investment decisions and offers significant exposure to senior leadership teams, major transformation programmes and market-leading technology suppliers.

Technology Categories Include

Software & SaaS Solutions
Cloud Services (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud)
IT Infrastructure & Networking
Data & Analytics Platforms
Cyber Security Solutions
Managed Services
IT Professional Services
Digital Platforms & E-Commerce Technologies
ERP & Enterprise Applications
Telecommunications & Connectivity
Artificial Intelligence & Emerging Technologies
Hardware & End User ComputingKey Responsibilities

Category Strategy & Leadership

Develop and implement long-term Technology Procurement strategies.
Create category roadmaps aligned to business and technology objectives.
Identify opportunities for cost optimisation, supplier innovation and value creation.
Use market intelligence and industry insight to support strategic decision-making.
Ensure procurement supports digital transformation and technology growth initiatives.Strategic Sourcing & Commercial Delivery

Lead complex sourcing programmes and competitive tender exercises.
Manage major technology investments and transformation projects.
Negotiate high-value contracts and commercial agreements.
Deliver measurable savings, cost avoidance and commercial benefits.
Ensure robust risk management, governance and supplier compliance.Stakeholder Management

Act as a trusted commercial partner to Technology and Digital leadership teams.
Build strong relationships across IT, Finance, Legal and operational business functions.
Influence senior stakeholders and support key investment decisions.
Provide commercial challenge and procurement expertise on strategic initiatives.
Support business case development and procurement recommendations.Supplier Relationship Management

Manage relationships with strategic technology suppliers and service partners.
Develop supplier governance and performance management frameworks.
Drive supplier-led innovation and continuous improvement initiatives.
Monitor supplier performance, risk and contractual obligations.
Lead strategic supplier reviews and commercial negotiations.Procurement Excellence & Transformation

Support procurement transformation and continuous improvement initiatives.
Drive best-practice procurement processes and governance.
Leverage spend analytics and market data to optimise category performance.
Enhance procurement capability across technology categories.
Contribute to the development of future procurement strategies and operating models.Profile

A successful Senior Category Manager - Technology Procurement Lead should have:

We're looking for a commercially astute procurement leader who combines strong strategic sourcing expertise with experience managing complex technology spend categories.

Essential Experience

Significant experience within Procurement, Category Management or Strategic Sourcing.
Proven track record of developing and implementing category strategies.
Strong commercial negotiation and contract management expertise.
Experience managing complex, high-value supplier relationships.
Ability to influence and engage senior stakeholders.
Strong commercial, financial and analytical capability.
Experience delivering cost savings, value creation and procurement transformation initiatives.
Comfortable operating in fast-paced and evolving business environments.Desirable Experience

Technology Procurement experience across Software, SaaS, Cloud or Infrastructure categories.
IT Professional Services and Managed Services sourcing experience.
Vendor management and supplier governance expertise.
Knowledge of technology licensing models and commercial frameworks.
Experience supporting digital or enterprise-wide transformation programmes.
CIPS qualification or equivalent professional accreditation.

Job Offer

Rewards & Benefits

Competitive Salary
Annual Performance Bonus
Car Allowance
Generous Pension Scheme
Private Healthcare
Hybrid & Flexible Working
Enhanced Annual Leave
Employee Wellbeing Programmes
Professional Development Support
Career Progression Opportunities
Inclusive and Collaborative CultureIf you're currently working as a Technology Procurement Manager, Senior Category Manager, IT Procurement Lead, Strategic Sourcing Manager, Commercial Manager or Procurement Business Partner, and you're looking for an opportunity to lead a critical technology portfolio, we'd love to hear from you.

Join a procurement function where innovation, commercial excellence and strategic influence combine to deliver meaningful business impact.If you're interested in this role, apply now