Global Category Director, IT, Data and Digital
Global Category Director, IT, Data and Digital

Global Category Director, IT, Data and Digital

Full-Time 36000 - 60000 ÂŁ / year (est.) No home office possible
DSJ Global

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead global IT procurement, driving strategic sourcing and supplier optimisation.
  • Company: Join a leading leisure industry business focused on innovation.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth, and the chance to shape technology strategy.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in digital transformation and procurement excellence.
  • Qualifications: Extensive experience in IT procurement and strong negotiation skills.
  • Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for professional development and global collaboration.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 ÂŁ per year.

A leading business in the leisure industry is seeking a dynamic and commercially‑astute Global Category Director, IT to shape, elevate and future‑proof their global technology procurement capability. This is a high‑impact leadership role, driving strategic sourcing, supplier optimisation and best‑in‑class procurement excellence across all technology‑related spend. You will play a central role in maximising commercial value, accelerating digital transformation, and embedding procurement as a strategic advisor to the organisation's technology leaders.

As Procurement Director, you will set the vision and direction for IT & Technology procurement, creating and executing a multi‑year category strategy that enhances value, strengthens supplier partnerships, and supports major digital and operational initiatives across the business. You will work closely with the CTO, Technology Leadership Team, Finance and Legal to ensure every technology investment is commercially optimised and aligned to the business’s long‑term innovation agenda.

Key Accountabilities

  • Category Strategy & Planning: Define and deliver a global IT & Technology category strategy spanning software, cloud, infrastructure, cybersecurity, hardware, and digital platforms. Build a forward‑looking sourcing roadmap aligned to the company's digital transformation priorities. Conduct deep spend analysis to identify opportunities for consolidation, value creation and service enhancement. Establish robust category management frameworks including supplier segmentation and KPI‑driven performance measures. Maintain market intelligence to leverage technological advancements and supplier innovation.
  • Strategic Sourcing & Commercial Leadership: Lead complex, high‑value sourcing initiatives across SaaS, managed services, infrastructure and enterprise technology. Negotiate commercially strong contracts that deliver measurable savings, efficiencies and risk mitigation. Provide commercial leadership for major digital programmes and transformation projects. Leverage global scale to unlock better pricing, improved service models and strategic supplier partnerships.
  • Supplier Relationship & Performance Management: Build and manage strategic partnerships with key technology vendors. Introduce performance frameworks incorporating KPIs, service reviews and improvement plans. Drive supplier‑led innovation and continuous improvement. Oversee supplier governance, ensuring compliance with security, data protection and risk requirements. Support operational teams in resolving performance issues through strong contract and service management.
  • Procurement Transformation & Governance: Elevate procurement capability within the technology category through structured frameworks and best‑practice methodologies. Implement consistent sourcing processes, governance standards and procurement policies. Embed category management tools, supplier performance mechanisms and contract lifecycle management. Champion digital procurement tools, spend analytics and smarter ways of working. Strengthen visibility, compliance and commercial discipline across all technology spend.
  • Stakeholder Engagement & Business Partnership: Act as a trusted advisor to the CTO and wider technology leadership. Provide strategic commercial insight on sourcing strategy, supplier selection and commercial modelling. Partner with Finance, Legal and Risk to ensure strong governance and well‑controlled contracting. Support strategic investment decisions with commercial analysis and business case input. Build strong relationships across global teams to align category priorities and sourcing initiatives.

Qualifications & Experience

  • Extensive experience leading IT & Technology procurement within a complex, global organisation.
  • Proven success developing and implementing category strategies and multi‑year sourcing roadmaps.
  • Demonstrated ability to drive procurement transformation and uplift organisational maturity.
  • Expertise across SaaS, enterprise software, cloud services, IT services and digital platforms.
  • Strong commercial negotiation and contract management skills with major technology vendors.
  • Professional procurement accreditation (MCIPS/CIPS or equivalent) is advantageous.

Global Category Director, IT, Data and Digital employer: DSJ Global

Join a leading player in the leisure industry as a Global Category Director, IT, where you will thrive in a dynamic work culture that prioritises innovation and collaboration. With a strong focus on employee growth, the company offers extensive professional development opportunities and a supportive environment that encourages strategic thinking and creativity. Located in London, this role not only provides a chance to make a significant impact on global technology procurement but also allows you to be part of a forward-thinking team dedicated to driving digital transformation and operational excellence.
DSJ Global

Contact Detail:

DSJ Global Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Global Category Director, IT, Data and Digital

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to industry contacts on LinkedIn or attend relevant events. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that dream role.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. We recommend practising common interview questions and tailoring your answers to highlight your experience in IT procurement. Show them you’re the perfect fit!

✨Tip Number 3

Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. It shows your enthusiasm for the role and keeps you fresh in their minds. We believe it’s a simple yet effective way to stand out.

✨Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities that might be just what you’re looking for. Plus, applying directly can sometimes give you an edge over other candidates.

We think you need these skills to ace Global Category Director, IT, Data and Digital

Strategic Sourcing
Supplier Optimisation
Procurement Excellence
Category Strategy Development
Spend Analysis
Contract Negotiation
Supplier Relationship Management
Performance Management
Digital Transformation
Risk Mitigation
Stakeholder Engagement
Commercial Insight
Governance Standards
Procurement Transformation
IT Procurement Expertise

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Global Category Director. Highlight your experience in IT procurement and any successful strategies you've implemented. We want to see how you can elevate our technology procurement capability!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this leadership role. Share specific examples of how you've maximised commercial value and driven digital transformation in previous roles.

Showcase Your Strategic Thinking: In your application, demonstrate your ability to think strategically about category management and supplier relationships. We’re looking for someone who can build strong partnerships and drive innovation, so don’t hold back on your ideas!

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensure it gets the attention it deserves. We can’t wait to see what you bring to the table!

How to prepare for a job interview at DSJ Global

✨Know Your Stuff

Make sure you’re well-versed in the latest trends and technologies in IT procurement. Brush up on your knowledge of SaaS, cloud services, and digital platforms. This will not only show your expertise but also demonstrate your commitment to staying ahead in the field.

✨Showcase Your Strategy Skills

Prepare to discuss your experience in developing category strategies and sourcing roadmaps. Have specific examples ready that highlight how you've maximised commercial value and strengthened supplier partnerships in previous roles. This will help you stand out as a strategic thinker.

✨Build Relationships

Emphasise your ability to build strong relationships with stakeholders. Be ready to share examples of how you’ve acted as a trusted advisor to technology leaders and collaborated with finance and legal teams. This shows you understand the importance of cross-functional partnerships.

✨Demonstrate Commercial Acumen

Be prepared to discuss your negotiation skills and how you’ve achieved measurable savings and efficiencies in past roles. Highlight any successful contracts you’ve negotiated with major technology vendors, as this will showcase your commercial leadership capabilities.

Global Category Director, IT, Data and Digital
DSJ Global

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