Senior IT Category Manager

Role Summary The IT Category Lead is a senior leadership role within the Procurement and Commercial Management team, reporting directly to the Head of Procurement – Technology, Collaboration & Complex Transactions. This position is pivotal in shaping and delivering ICT procurement strategies that drive value for money, risk mitigation, and compliance across high-value, complex contracts.________________________________________Key Responsibilities*Strategic Procurement Leadership:•    Lead the ICT Category team in delivering complex procurement and contract management activities.•    Develop and implement category strategies that align with organisational goals and ensure compliance with the Procurement Act 2023.•    Provide expert commercial advice on multi-million-pound transactions, including leading negotiations and managing supplier relationships.

*Commercial & Contract Management:•    Oversee critical ICT contracts, ensuring robust delivery, performance, and compliance.•    Drive value-for-money outcomes through strategic sourcing and commercial acumen.•    Manage ICT-specific vendor relationships, leveraging public sector procurement frameworks.

*Team & Resource Management:•    Lead and develop a team of up to four procurement professionals, ensuring capacity and capability to meet market demands.•    Foster a high-performance culture, inspiring resilience and adaptability during busy project periods.•    Prioritise competing demands and support timely decision-making through stakeholder engagement and data-driven insights.

* Risk & Issue Management:•    Proactively identify, escalate, and resolve risks and issues to meet functional performance targets.•    Use procurement data and management information to support decision-making and continuous improvement.

* Stakeholder Engagement & Representation:•    Represent the organisation in project boards, collaboration meetings, and external forums as required.•    Deputise for the Head of Procurement when necessary, ensuring continuity and strategic alignment.________________________________________Candidate Profile:

• Essential Experience & Knowledge
• Hands-on ICT procurement experience in the UK public sector.
• Strong understanding of the Procurement Act 2023 and its practical implications.
• Proven ability in category management, including: 

o    Spend analysiso    Pipeline planningo    Supplier relationship managemento    Risk assessment

* Commercial & Technical Skills•    Skilled in complex commercial negotiations and securing value-for-money outcomes.•    Extensive experience in commercial contract management.•    ICT-specific commercial knowledge and IT vendor management.•    Familiarity with public sector procurement frameworks.

*Systems & Tools•    Experience with procurement systems such as: o    SAP S4/HANAo    Aribao    In-tend (desirable)

*Leadership & Communication•    Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate and manage a team of 4–5 professionals.•    Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, enabling effective stakeholder engagement and delivery of innovative procurement solutions.

*Mindset & Qualifications•    Strategic thinker with analytical ability and a growth mindset.•    Committed to continuous improvement and contributing to wider organisational transformation.•    MCIPS qualified or working towards (desirable). 

Site Requirement: 2 days in central London per week.