IT Procurement Category Specialist

Category Sourcing Expert - IT

Role Overview

• A great opportunity for an experienced Category Sourcing Expert - IT to deliver best total value across IT and technology categories.
• This role is responsible for managing the full end‑to‑end strategic sourcing lifecycle, leveraging enterprise‑wide relationships, and ensuring strong commercial outcomes through effective supplier engagement, negotiation, and contract management.
• The successful candidate will act as a trusted sourcing partner to internal stakeholders, driving value, compliance, and continuous improvement within a complex, fast‑paced, and multi‑stakeholder environment.
• Ideally you will have experience within these areas: Cybersecurity, Data Analytic and Cloud Services.

Key Responsibilities

• Maximise value and optimise supplier performance across assigned IT categories.
• Manage the full seven‑step sourcing process, including:
• Spend analysis
• Market research
• Supplier due diligence
• Sourcing strategy development
• RFx management
• Bid analysis
• Contract and supplier performance management
• Negotiate commercial terms for new agreements and renewals, including Master Licence Agreements, cloud agreements, Statements of Work (SOWs), and order forms.
• Guide internal business partners through supplier selection and sourcing decision processes.
• Work cross‑functionally to document business requirements, develop RFPs, conduct negotiations, and identify cost‑saving opportunities.
• Ensure sourcing activities align with internal procurement policies and governance standards.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to define requirements and achieve alignment on commercial strategies.
• Partner closely with Legal, Contract Management, Tax, and other subject‑matter experts to establish and renew supplier agreements.
• Operate in an agile manner, managing multiple sourcing initiatives across categories with a broad supplier base.
• Perform financial and business analysis to support sourcing decisions and capability assessments.
• Identify, evaluate, and recommend suppliers using industry cost models, total cost of ownership analysis, and RFx evaluation.
• Lead cross‑functional sourcing teams through strategic sourcing initiatives, negotiations, and contract execution.
• Conduct senior‑level supplier negotiations to secure optimal cost, service, and long‑term commercial value.
• Execute supplier relationship management activities for key strategic suppliers, ensuring performance oversight and continuous improvement.
• Manage multiple projects and stakeholder expectations while delivering optimal commercial outcomes.

Candidate Profile

Essential Requirements

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent relevant professional experience.
• Strong experience in category sourcing, supplier management, and/or purchasing.
• Proven capability in project and stakeholder management within complex, multi‑project and multi‑geography environments.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Confident facilitator, able to lead meetings and conference calls with internal and external stakeholders.

Desirable Experience & Skills

• Strategic sourcing experience.
• Strong negotiation, cost management, and analytical skills.
• Working knowledge of commercial and legal contracting terminology.
• Experience sourcing within IT and technology categories.
• Professional certifications such as CPSM, CPM, CIPS, CSCP, and/or Lean Six Sigma.
• Experience using sourcing and enterprise systems such as Ariba, SAP, and productivity tools including Google Workspace and Microsoft Office.

Key Competencies

• Strategic thinking and problem‑solving capability
• Strong attention to detail and commercial acumen
• Excellent interpersonal and relationship‑building skills
• Ability to balance creativity with disciplined execution
• Adaptability and resilience in a dynamic sourcing environment

This is initially a FTC with Hybrid working on a competitive day rate.