At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic sourcing and supplier relationships in Datacenter & Network Infrastructure.
- Company: Join a global tech leader with a hybrid working culture.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, flexible work options, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborate with teams across London, Bangalore, New York, Tokyo, and Beijing.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact on technology transformation projects worldwide.
- Qualifications: Strong procurement experience in technology and excellent negotiation skills.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.
6 months Initially London based (Hybrid working) £600 to £650 inside IR35 Starting ASAP. This role sits within Group Procurement function, supporting Datacenter and Network Infrastructure within the Technology spend tower. You’ll be responsible for managing strategic sourcing and supplier relationships across a significant annual spend, with a strong focus on Datacenter Co-Location and Hosting and associated services in addition to experience management of Value-Added Resellers. You’ll work globally across teams in London, Bangalore, New York, Tokyo and Beijing, partnering with technology leaders with a focus on transformation project, finance, legal, and vendor management to deliver commercial value, innovation, and risk mitigation. The role blends strategic planning, supplier contract award and hands-on sourcing, contributing to transformation roadmap and procurement excellence. This is a high-impact role for someone with deep procurement expertise, strong commercial acumen, and the ability to influence senior internal partners and suppliers in a complex, global environment.
Key Responsibilities
- Define, develop and implement category strategies for the group.
- Drive supplier consolidation and preferred vendor adoption.
- Use data and market insights to guide sourcing decisions and Infrastructure hardware investments.
- Anticipate procurement risks (e.g., global demand supply risks, vendor lock-in) and develop mitigation strategies.
- Lead sourcing initiatives, RFPs, and contract negotiations for Datacenter Co-Location vendors.
- Ensure contracts protect interests and manage operational and contractual risks.
- Leverage tools like e-Procurement and e-Auctions to drive value.
- Support supplier performance improvement and risk management.
- Build strong relationships with technology and business leaders, especially Datacentre Services Group, Infrastructure/ Network engineering, architecture, and IT operations.
- Act as a commercial advisor and escalation point for vendor issues.
- Oversee renewals and ensure focus on high-value opportunities (e.g. product acquisition, lifetime support and software licensing).
- Maintain procurement systems and track savings, compliance, and Infrastructure hardware/software usage.
- Support end-to-end sourcing processes and contract variations.
- Promote best practices and support procurement transformation.
Essential Skills & Experience
- Strong procurement background in Technology, with a focus on Datacenter and Network Infrastructure Category.
- Proven experience in OEM contract negotiation, support and maintenance, licensing models, and supplier management.
- Knowledge of Infrastructure hardware/software/service acquisition pricing models (e.g., subscription, perpetual, managed services and consumption-based), contract terms, and risk management.
- Strong analytical, project management, and communication skills.
- Ability to influence internal partners up to Executive level.
- Degree educated; experience in regulated or global environments preferred.
Desirable
- MCIPS or similar procurement qualification.
- Experience in negotiating and managing OEM contracts with Equinix, Digital Realty, NTT, Arista, Cisco, F5, Checkpoint and Global Value-Added Resellers.
- Experience in Financial Services, FinTech, or global organisations.
Interim Category Manager - Datacenter & Network Infrastructure in Slough employer: Eames Consulting
As an Interim Category Manager in our London-based team, you'll join a dynamic and innovative work culture that prioritises collaboration and professional growth. We offer competitive remuneration, hybrid working options, and the opportunity to engage with global teams, enhancing your procurement expertise while driving impactful transformation projects. Our commitment to employee development and a supportive environment makes us an exceptional employer for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers in technology procurement.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Interim Category Manager - Datacenter & Network Infrastructure in Slough
✨Get Involved in Local Procurement Meetups
Join local procurement and purchasing groups on platforms like Meetup or Eventbrite. These gatherings are great for networking with industry professionals, sharing insights, and potentially hearing about temporary roles that might not be widely advertised!
✨Seasonal Hiring Cycles are Your Friend!
Keep an eye on seasonal trends in procurement, as many companies ramp up hiring during certain times of the year – especially around end-of-financial-year periods when budgets are being utilised. Be proactive and reach out to companies directly during these windows.
✨Leverage Online Platforms for Temporary Roles
Don’t forget to browse specific job boards dedicated to temporary positions, such as Reed or Indeed. You can filter your search for procurement roles and set up alerts for when new jobs pop up, so you can apply immediately!
✨Showcase Your Skills on Professional Networks
Create short case studies or posts on LinkedIn showcasing your procurement experience or interesting projects you've tackled. This not only builds your visibility but can also attract recruiters looking for temporary talent like you!
We think you need these skills to ace Interim Category Manager - Datacenter & Network Infrastructure in Slough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Relevant Experience:When applying for a temporary role in procurement-purchasing, it's crucial to highlight any relevant experience you have. Mention specific tasks like negotiating contracts, managing supplier relationships, or optimising inventory. This will show Eames Consulting that you can hit the ground running!
Keep it Concise and Impactful:For a temporary role, we recommend keeping your CV and cover letter concise. Focus on key achievements that showcase your procurement skills and any immediate impact you’ve made in past roles. Use bullet points for clarity—this way, Eames Consulting can quickly grasp your capabilities!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got any certifications that are relevant to procurement, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply), don’t forget to mention them! This adds extra weight to your application and shows Eames Consulting that you're serious about your professional development.
Emphasise Flexibility and Availability:Since this is a temporary position, make sure to emphasise your availability and flexibility in your cover letter. Let Eames Consulting know when you can start and that you’re ready to adapt to their needs, making your application even more appealing!
How to prepare for a job interview at Eames Consulting
✨Know Your Procurement Basics
Brush up on key procurement concepts and terms, like 'total cost of ownership' and 'supplier relationships'. We want to impress them with our knowledge! Being able to talk fluently about relevant techniques and tools specific to the procurement field will definitely lend credibility.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
In a purchasing role, you might get thrown some real-world scenarios to assess how you’d handle supplier negotiations or cost-saving strategies. Be ready to demonstrate your problem-solving skills! Practising how you'd tackle these situations in advance will help us shine during the interview.
✨Highlight Your Flexibility and Adaptability
Since it’s a temporary role, emphasise how you can quickly adapt to new processes and environments. Share examples of past experiences where you’ve tackled new challenges with ease, showing they can rely on us to hit the ground running and contribute immediately!
✨Show Off Your Tech Savvy
Being well-versed in procurement software like SAP or Coupa can set us apart from other candidates. If you've got experience with these tools, be sure to mention it! Having a handle on data analysis and reporting will also demonstrate our capability to leverage technology effectively in procurement.
