Category Manager – IT NEW

About the Role

A Private Equity backed Financial Services business are looking for a strategic and results-driven Category Manager to lead the IT procurement category. This role will be responsible for developing and executing category strategies, optimising vendor performance, and driving cost savings while ensuring compliance with procurement policies and regulatory requirements.

Key Responsibilities

• Category Strategy & Management – Develop and implement category strategies for IT, covering areas such as Software, SaaS, IT Services and Hardware.
• Strategic Sourcing & Supplier Management – Lead end-to-end sourcing initiatives, including supplier selection, contract negotiation, and performance management to drive value and mitigate risk.
• Stakeholder Engagement – Collaborate with key business stakeholders to understand procurement needs, align category plans with business goals, and influence decision-making.
• Cost Optimisation & Value Creation – Identify opportunities for cost reduction, efficiency improvements, and supplier innovation while maintaining quality and service levels.
• Risk & Compliance Management – Ensure procurement activities adhere to financial services regulatory requirements, internal governance policies, and ESG commitments.
• Market Analysis & Benchmarking – Monitor market trends, supplier innovations, and industry best practices to continuously enhance category strategies.
• Drive continuous improvement activity through strong supplier relationship management in contract life.

Key Skills & Experience

• Proven experience in category management, procurement, or strategic sourcing ideally but not essentially within financial services or a regulated environment.
• Strong commercial acumen with a track record of delivering cost savings and value creation across IT categories. Ideally dealt with large global suppliers within Software and IT Services.
• Expertise in contract negotiation, supplier management, and stakeholder engagement at a senior level.
• Understanding of procurement regulations, compliance, and risk management in financial services.
• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills to influence internal and external stakeholders.
• CIPS qualification (or working towards) is desirable but not essential

Why Join Us?

• Work for a well-known PE backed financial services organisation with a strong reputation in the market.
• Career growth opportunities within a dynamic and high-performing procurement team.
• Competitive salary, bonus, and a comprehensive benefits package including pension, private healthcare, and flexible working.

If you’re a strategic and commercially driven procurement professional looking to take ownership of a critical category area, I’d love to hear from you!

Tagged as: procurement, software, saas, hardware, vendor, sourcing, srm, supplier