Category Manager

Category Manager – Technology, HR & Professional Services | 18-Month FTC | Central London (Hybrid)

A global specialist manufacturing business is hiring a Category Manager to lead procurement across Technology, HR and Professional Services spend. This is an 18-month fixed-term contract with a strong likelihood of extension or permanent conversion for the right person.

The role

You'll own category strategy and supplier management across a genuinely varied spend base, IT hardware, software and services, HR systems and providers, and professional/consulting services. The emphasis is firmly on technology: this business needs someone who understands software licensing models, SaaS contracts, IT vendor risk and digital procurement, not a generalist indirect buyer picking up tech as one category among many.

What you'll be doing

• Leading category strategy and supplier negotiations across Tech, HR and Professional Services
• Managing contract renewals, licensing structures and commercial terms with technology vendors
• Building supplier relationships that balance cost, risk and service delivery
• Partnering with IT, HR and business stakeholders to align procurement activity with wider transformation priorities
• Bringing structure and category discipline to spend areas that touch nearly every part of the business

What we're looking for

• A procurement background with demonstrable depth in technology category management (software, SaaS, IT services, licensing)
• Comfort operating across a broad and varied portfolio, not just a single category
• Strong stakeholder management skills, this role sits close to IT and HR leadership
• Experience in a large, matrixed or global organisation is an advantage

The details

• Salary: c.£70,000
• Contract: 18 months FTC, with a genuine path to extension or permanency
• Location: Central London, 2–3 days per week in office
• Immediate availbility is a MUST