At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage IT procurement, negotiate contracts, and optimise supplier performance.
- Company: Join a leading organisation in the fast-paced world of Formula 1.
- Benefits: Enjoy private healthcare, free snacks, and generous leave policies.
- Other info: Opportunities for professional development and a vibrant team culture.
- Why this job: Make an impact in a dynamic environment while working with cutting-edge technology.
- Qualifications: 3+ years in IT procurement and strong negotiation skills required.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
Role Overview
We are looking for an experienced Category Manager to join our Procurement team on a 16‑month fixed‑term contract, with responsibility for managing the organisation’s IT spend and supplier portfolio.
The role will lead sourcing, contract and commercial negotiations and supplier performance management relating to F1’s software, Saa S and hardware requirements.
The successful candidate will work closely with stakeholders across IT, Information Security, Finance, Legal and project teams to support new sourcing activity, contract renewals and supplier performance.
This is a hands‑on role suited to a commercially minded procurement professional who can operate independently in a fast‑paced environment.
Responsibilities
- Support procurement activity across a broad IT portfolio, including software, Saa S, cloud services, hardware and cyber security.
- Develop and maintain the IT procurement category strategy, identifying opportunities to improve value, manage risk, support sustainability and simplify the supplier landscape.
- Partner with IT, Information Security, Finance, Legal and project teams to support technology projects, supplier selection and contract renewal strategies.
- Manage end‑to‑end sourcing activity, from market analysis, supplier research and RFx processes through to commercial evaluation and supplier recommendation.
- Lead commercial and contractual negotiations that secure value, protect F1’s interests and align supplier commitments with business requirements.
- Review and negotiate IT‑related contract terms and conditions, covering framework agreements, statements of work, end‑user licence agreements and data processing agreements.
- Review and approve purchase order requisitions, ensuring spend is governed and supplier queries are resolved efficiently.
- Support the practical adoption and effective use of AI platforms within the procurement team, helping improve ways of working where appropriate.
- Support contract management, supplier due diligence and renewal planning across F1’s recurring IT spend.
- Contribute to the continuous improvement of procurement processes, tools and ways of working across the wider procurement function.
Qualifications
- Knowledge and Skills
- Proven experience in procurement, with a focus on IT related categories.
- Strong understanding of sourcing and contract management across software, Saa S, cloud services, and hardware.
- Confidence reviewing and negotiating IT contract terms, licence agreements and supplier commercial proposals.
- Demonstrable experience in negotiating commercial terms across a range of IT software, Saa S, cloud and hardware agreements.
- Strong understanding of data protection principles, and familiarity with reviewing data processing agreements.
- Demonstrable experience leading procurement projects, RFx processes and supplier negotiations.
- Strong commercial acumen with the ability to assess risk, challenge costs and negotiate favourable contractual outcomes.
- Analytical and problem‑solving capability, with confidence interpreting commercial and financial data to support decision‑making.
- Clear communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with the ability to build credibility across technical and non‑technical teams.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities, adapt quickly and deliver results in a fast‑paced environment.
- Good understanding of procurement governance, supplier due diligence, contract lifecycle management and procurement best practice.
- Proficiency in utilising AI platforms, Microsoft Excel and ERP systems (experience with Microsoft Dynamics would be beneficial but not essential).
Experience
- Minimum of 3+ years’ experience in IT procurement, category management or a comparable commercial role.
- Experience managing and negotiating both contractual and commercial terms across key IT spend areas.
- MCIPS preferred, or working towards.
- Personal Qualities
- Excellent communication, with strong written and presentation skills, and an engaging style.
- Excellent interpersonal and stakeholder management skills and ability to challenge difficult stakeholders when appropriate.
- Self‑motivated, work under own initiative and as part of a team.
Benefits
- Private healthcare scheme
- Dental care
- 4 x Grand Prix paddock passes per season
- Enhanced maternity/paternity leave and other family planning policies
- A free staff shuttle service running to and from surrounding train stations near to Biggin Hill
- Free healthy snacks in our offices
- Subsidised canteen in Biggin Hill, serving breakfast and lunch
- 25 days annual leave and 8 bank holiday days, plus a Christmas period closure
- Opportunities to develop and request training for your role via our in‑house learning and development team
- Discount on F1 merchandise
- Discount at F1’s experiences including F1 Arcade and F1 Drive
- Perkbox benefit portal and more
- #J-18808-Ljbffr
Category Manager (16m FTC) employer: Formula One Management Limited
Join our dynamic team as a Senior Network Engineer in Biggin Hill, where we prioritise innovation and employee well-being. Enjoy a supportive work culture that fosters professional growth through training opportunities, while benefiting from perks like private healthcare, enhanced family leave, and free healthy snacks. With a focus on collaboration and continuous improvement, you'll play a key role in shaping our IT network infrastructure in an exciting environment.
Contact Details:
Formula One Management Limited Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Manager (16m FTC)
✨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 Category Manager (16m FTC)
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 Formula One Management Limited 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, Formula One Management Limited 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 Formula One Management Limited 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 Formula One Management Limited 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 Formula One Management Limited
✨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.
