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- Tasks: Lead the transformation of IT services at Royal Mail, driving innovation and managing supplier relationships.
- Company: Join Royal Mail, a national institution undergoing a digital transformation that impacts millions.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, hybrid work, generous leave, private healthcare, and family-friendly support.
- Why this job: Be at the forefront of digital change, shaping the future of IT services in a trusted environment.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in strategic sourcing, deep ADM expertise, and a degree in Business or IT required.
- Other info: Royal Mail values diversity and offers interview transparency to help you shine.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
Location: This is a Hybrid Working role with a requirement to attend our Royal Mail, 185 Farringdon Road, London, EC1A 1AA or Royal Mail, Future Walk, Chesterfield, S49 1PF office three days per week, with flexibility required in line with business needs.
Are you ready to lead the transformation of a national institution’s digital backbone? Royal Mail is on the lookout for a Head of Categories - IT Services with a bold vision and strategic mindset to revolutionize how we source, manage, and evolve our Application Development & Maintenance (ADM) ecosystem. This is more than a procurement role — it’s a leadership opportunity to architect the next generation of IT services partnerships that will power our digital future. At Royal Mail, you’ll be at the heart of a digital transformation journey that touches millions of lives. Apply now and help us build the future of digital delivery.
About the role
Reporting to the Category Director you will:
- Lead the Strategy: Design and execute innovative category strategies for ADM services, aligned with our IT roadmap and enterprise goals.
- Drive Innovation: Collaborate with IT and digital leaders to co-create sourcing models that accelerate delivery, enhance customer experience, and fuel growth.
- Deliver Value: Reimagine cost structures through outcome-based models, advanced analytics, and total cost of ownership optimization.
- Own Supplier Relationships: Manage end-to-end sourcing initiatives, from RFPs to contract negotiations and performance management.
- Be a Trusted Advisor: Partner with senior stakeholders across IT, finance, legal, and business units to deliver sourcing solutions that drive innovation and efficiency.
- Stay Ahead: Monitor market trends, emerging tech, and pricing benchmarks to inform strategy and mitigate risk.
About You
What You Need
- A strategic thinker and change agent who sees procurement as a lever for transformation.
- Deep expertise in ADM services, including agile, DevOps, legacy modernisation, and system integration.
- You’ll have 5 or more years in strategic sourcing or category management, with at least 5 years in IT services procurement.
- Proven success in complex contract negotiations and managing multi-million-pound ADM spend.
- Strong financial acumen, analytical skills, and stakeholder engagement capabilities.
- A degree in Business, IT, Supply Chain, or related field (MBA preferred).
- Professional Qualifications – MCIPS (desirable).
Family friendly support - enhanced maternity pay, paternity leave, adoption leave and shared parental leave.
Discounts and offers - there are more than 800 offers to help you save on things like groceries, days out, holidays and your household bills.
Supportive and generous company sick pay.
Your Wellbeing - you and your family have 24/7 access to services and tools to help you get the most out of life. From your physical and mental health to financial and social support and advice. It’s free, and it’s for everyone.
Next Steps
Closing Date: Wednesday 18th June 2025. Please note, this advert may close early if the appropriate number of applications has been reached.
Trust forms the foundation of everything we do in Royal Mail. We want to be transparent about what kind of qualities we are looking for and build trust from the very beginning of your journey with us. The first step is your interview, and we mean ‘your’ interview. We want to give you the opportunity to shine. To enable you to do this, we will provide you with your interview questions ahead of the interview taking place. This will allow you time to prepare, and ensure you have your best examples in mind.
Royal Mail Group values both trust, and our people. Royal Mail are proud of our diverse employee network groups and the active role they play to support belonging and encourage a positive work environment. We are firmly committed to inclusion and passionate about our people representing the communities we serve. We are happy to support your need for any adjustments during the application and hiring process. Please share the details within your application if required.
We are Forces family friendly and a Gold signatory to the Armed Forces Covenant. We welcome applications from ex-Armed Forces personnel, reservists, veterans, cadet instructors and military spouses/partners.
Head of Categories - IT Services employer: Royal Mail
Contact Detail:
Royal Mail Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Categories - IT Services
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in Application Development & Maintenance (ADM) services. Understanding current technologies and methodologies like Agile and DevOps will help you demonstrate your expertise during discussions with the hiring team.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the IT services sector, especially those involved in procurement and category management. Engaging with industry peers can provide insights into best practices and may even lead to referrals for the position.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience in managing supplier relationships and complex contract negotiations. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've driven value and innovation in previous roles, as this aligns closely with the responsibilities of the Head of Categories.
✨Tip Number 4
Research Royal Mail's digital transformation initiatives and their impact on the business. Showing that you understand their goals and challenges will position you as a candidate who is not only qualified but also genuinely interested in contributing to their success.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Categories - IT Services
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities and requirements of the Head of Categories - IT Services position. Tailor your application to highlight your relevant experience in strategic sourcing and ADM services.
Craft a Compelling CV: Your CV should clearly showcase your expertise in IT services procurement, including specific achievements in contract negotiations and stakeholder engagement. Use quantifiable metrics to demonstrate your impact in previous roles.
Write a Tailored Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for digital transformation and how your strategic vision aligns with Royal Mail's goals. Highlight your experience in leading innovative category strategies and managing supplier relationships.
Prepare for the Interview: Since Royal Mail provides interview questions in advance, take this opportunity to prepare thoughtful responses. Use examples from your past experiences that demonstrate your skills in driving innovation and delivering value in IT services.
How to prepare for a job interview at Royal Mail
✨Understand the Role Thoroughly
Before your interview, make sure you have a deep understanding of the Head of Categories - IT Services role. Familiarise yourself with the responsibilities outlined in the job description, especially around strategic sourcing and supplier relationship management.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Given the nature of the role, expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving skills and strategic thinking. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully led category strategies or managed complex negotiations.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As this is a leadership position, be ready to discuss your leadership style and how you've driven change in previous roles. Highlight specific instances where you've collaborated with cross-functional teams to achieve business goals.
✨Research Royal Mail's Digital Transformation
Demonstrate your interest in Royal Mail by researching their current digital transformation initiatives. Be prepared to discuss how your vision aligns with their goals and how you can contribute to their journey towards modernising their IT services.
