Location: UK (with travel across UK & Europe)
Arriva is a leading European passenger transport partner, operating across 11 countries and delivering over 1.5 billion passenger journeys each year. With a workforce of 35,000 people and a strong heritage dating back to 1938, Arriva is driving an ambitious growth and sustainability agenda, supported by I Squared Capital following its acquisition in 2024.
We are now seeking an experienced and commercially astute Group IT & Indirect Director to join our Group Procurement team. This is a high-impact leadership role, shaping and delivering procurement strategy across a significant and complex spend portfolio.
The Role
As Category Director, you will lead the development and execution of Group-wide category strategies across IT and corporate services, including software, hardware, cloud, telecoms, digital services, and professional services.
You will act as a trusted commercial partner to senior stakeholders, including the CIO and corporate leadership teams, ensuring procurement delivers measurable value, manages risk, and supports wider transformation and digital priorities.
Key Responsibilities
- Define and deliver 1, 3 and 5-year category strategies aligned to Group objectives
- Lead complex sourcing programmes and high-value commercial negotiations
- Drive cost optimisation, demand management, and total cost of ownership improvements
- Establish and manage strategic supplier relationships, ensuring performance, innovation and risk mitigation
- Build Group-wide frameworks and agreements to maximise leverage and reduce duplication
- Provide executive insights on market trends, commercial risks, and supplier dynamics
- Influence and engage senior stakeholders across IT, Finance, Legal and Business Units
- Lead, develop and inspire a high-performing category team
About You
You will be an experienced procurement leader with a strong track record in IT and indirect category management within large, complex organisations.
You will bring:
- Extensive experience in IT procurement (software, SaaS, cloud, telecoms, hardware, professional services)
- Proven ability to operate at executive level and influence senior stakeholders
- Strong commercial acumen, negotiation expertise, and contract leadership skills
- Experience delivering significant cost savings, value creation, and risk reduction
- A strategic mindset, combined with a hands-on, results-driven approach
- Experience working in matrix or federated environments
- A professional procurement qualification (e.g. CIPS) is desirable
Why Join Arriva?
This is a unique opportunity to play a pivotal role in shaping procurement strategy within a major international organisation undergoing transformation and growth. You’ll have the autonomy to lead, influence and drive real commercial impact across a diverse and evolving category landscape.
Closing Date
Friday 3rd Jul 2026
