Senior Strategic Category Management Lead - Technology

Overview

Senior Strategic Category Management Lead – Technology at the Bank of England. The Procurement Division is adopting a Strategic Category Management (SCM) approach. We are seeking experienced commercial professionals to lead the development and implementation of SCM for the Technology category. A Senior SCM Lead will oversee all commercial delivery within the Technology category, embedding SCM best practice, engaging senior stakeholders, developing strategies, managing sourcing pipelines, and ensuring contract outcomes align with strategic goals. Leading a team of 10-15, the ideal candidate will have deep expertise in the technology category, public sector procurement, and the Procurement Act 2023/Public Contracts Regulations 2015. This role reports directly to the Head of Strategic Category Management.

Location

Leeds

Responsibilities

• Leading a team of 10-15 public sector commercial professionals, responsible for delivering the sourcing and strategic contracting activities required to deliver the outcomes of the Category Strategies.
• Engaging with senior stakeholders responsible for each area of strategic spend within their Category to understand their current supplier and commercial landscape, future and strategic objectives that, when coupled with market data and trends, will be used to create medium- and long-term category strategies for each area.
• Providing commercial and specialist category insight and challenge to senior partners on alternative delivery methodologies and contract models available with supplier markets to craft the Bank\’s category strategies.
• Supporting the development of a coordinated pipeline of the Bank\’s future procurements, both tactical and strategic, that will collectively deliver the commercial landscape underpinning the delivery of the category strategies.
• Overseeing the management of the Bank\’s strategic contracts within each category to ensure both their individual performance and that they contribute to the objectives of the respective category strategy.
• Supporting the development of appropriate relationships with Bank\’s key, strategic suppliers and coordinating senior bank representative engagement.
• Ensuring that the category strategy and all commercial activity undertaken to deliver it follows Bank policy and the relevant legislative regime, including the Procurement Act 2023.
• Collaborating with the supplier management team to embed third party risk management controls into the delivery and management of the category strategy.
• Working with experts to support the implementation of the Bank\’s sustainability and ESG policies into the Bank\’s contracts and supply chain.
• Aligning with the commercial function\’s efficient and consistent use of eProcurement systems, in line with the defined workflows (aligned to internal policy).
• Acting as a role model in the Bank, including listening and seeking feedback in a constructive and professional manner.

Minimum Criteria

• Extensive knowledge of new and emerging trends within the technology supplier market and supply chain, with a track record of delivering value and benefits to an organisation.
• Experience of strategic category management best practice within a similarly complex organisation.
• Significant proven record of delivering sophisticated category strategies within a public sector environment.
• Experience of supplier relationship management techniques and using these to build long-term, strategic partnerships with key suppliers within the public sector procurement environment.
• Experience in crafting sophisticated delivery pipelines of sourcing activities to support the delivery of the category strategy, including the use of innovative commercial and procurement models, in compliance with public sector procurement legislation and regulation.
• Strong partner leadership skills and assertiveness, with the ability to challenge.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience of working within a Public Contract Regulations 2015/Procurement Act 2023 controlled environment.
• MCIPS qualification (or equivalent Commercial experience).
• Effective interpersonal skills, ability to build rapport and constructive relationships.
• Demonstrable influencing skills.
• Excellent management skills and experience.
• Excellent written and oral communications skills, with the ability to present and communicate clearly and succinctly at all levels.
• Self-motivation, with the ability to work both on your own initiative and as part of a team.

Bank Behaviours

• Customer focus
• Business acumen
• Evidence based decision-making

Bank of England behaviours

• Act inclusively
• Earn trust
• Embrace differences
• Inspire purpose
• Drive Growth
• Courage
• Demonstrate self-awareness
• Develop talent
• Deliver outcomes
• Developing vision
• Achieve results

Salary and Benefits Information

• Salary: £79,200 – £89,100. Comprehensive benefits include pension, discretionary bonus, allowances, annual leave, private medical insurance and income protection.

National Security Vetting Process

Employment in this role will be subject to the National Security Vetting clearance process (typically 6 to 12 weeks post offer) and other Bank security checks. Further information will be provided to the successful applicant, and details about data handling are in the Bank\’s Privacy Notice.

The Application Process

Important: Please ensure that you complete the work history section and answer ALL the application questions fully. Applications are anonymised during screening. The assessment process will comprise two interview stages. This role closes on 3 September 2025. Please apply online and ensure all mandatory questions are fully completed; otherwise your application may not be considered.

Seniority level

• Mid-Senior level

Employment type

• Full-time

Job function

• Purchasing and Supply Chain

Industries

• Banking and Financial Services

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