Global Category Manager – IT Permanent

The Business

A market leading retail brand with an innovative and mature procurement function.

Location – London

Sub-category focus: Cloud, Infrastructure, Telco

Salary: £65k – £75k + 20% Bonus + Package

Key Responsibilities:

1. Strategic Sourcing and Procurement:
• Develop and implement IT procurement strategies that align with the company’s goals and objectives.
• Conduct market analysis to identify potential suppliers, assess their capabilities, and negotiate favourable terms and conditions.
• Ensure compliance with procurement policies and procedures.
2. Supplier Relationship Management:
• Establish and maintain strong relationships with key IT suppliers to ensure high-quality service delivery.
• Monitor supplier performance and address any issues to ensure continuous improvement.
• Conduct regular supplier evaluations and re-negotiations to optimise value.
3. Budget Management:
• Develop and manage the IT procurement budget, ensuring cost control and efficient use of resources.
• Analyse spending patterns and identify opportunities for cost savings and value improvements.
• Prepare and present regular reports on budget performance and procurement activities.
4. Risk Management:
• Identify potential risks in the IT supply chain and develop mitigation strategies.
• Ensure that all IT contracts include appropriate risk management provisions.
• Stay informed about industry trends and potential risks that could impact the supply chain.
5. Cross-Functional Collaboration:
• Work closely with the IT department to understand their needs and ensure the procurement of appropriate technology solutions.
• Collaborate with other departments, such as finance and legal, to ensure procurement activities are aligned with overall business objectives.
• Support project teams by providing procurement expertise and resources.

Key Skills:

1. Procurement and Negotiation:
• Strong knowledge of procurement principles and practices, particularly in the IT category.
• Excellent negotiation skills to secure favourable terms with suppliers.
2. Analytical and Strategic Thinking:
• Ability to analyse market trends, supplier capabilities, and spending patterns.
• Strategic mindset to develop and implement effective procurement strategies.
3. Communication and Interpersonal Skills:
• Strong communication skills to effectively interact with suppliers, internal stakeholders, and cross-functional teams.
• Ability to build and maintain strong professional relationships.
4. Supplier Experience: Ideally experience negotiating with Cloud, Infrastructure and Telco suppliers and understanding their contract breakdown
5. Financial Acumen:
• Understanding of budgeting, cost control, and financial analysis related to procurement.
• Ability to prepare and present financial reports and analyses.
6. Risk Management:
• Knowledge of risk management principles and practices in the context of IT procurement.
• Ability to identify potential risks and develop effective mitigation strategies.
7. Qualifications:

• Proven experience in IT procurement, preferably in a fast paced environment.
• Professional certification in procurement (e.g., CIPS) is a plus.
• Proficiency in procurement software and tools.

Tagged as: telco, telecoms, telecommunications, cloud, infrastructure, procurement, sourcing, supplier, cips, mcips