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Senior Category Manager - Technology

Leeds Permanent View Job 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
  • Senior Procurement Category Lead - Technology
  • Leeds - Hybrid

About Our Client

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

Job 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 Computing



Key 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.

The Successful Applicant

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.



What's on 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 Culture



If 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.

Contact
Katie Martin
Quote job ref
JN-072026-7063434
Phone number
+44 113 388 9061

Job summary

Job function
Procurement & Supply Chain
Subsector
Indirect Procurement
Sector
Retail
Where
Leeds
Contract type
Permanent
Consultant name
Katie Martin
Consultant phone
+44 113 388 9061
Job reference
JN-072026-7063434