At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage global IT spend, optimise costs, and improve supplier relationships.
- Company: Leading global financial services firm with a strong governance framework.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth, and opportunities to drive real impact.
- Other info: High-impact role with opportunities for transformation and innovation.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and shape the future of IT procurement.
- Qualifications: Experience in IT procurement and excellent stakeholder management skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
A leading global financial services organisation is seeking an experienced IT Category Manager to join its Supplier Management function. The team is responsible for maintaining a strong governance framework across third-party suppliers, helping to mitigate risk while driving commercial value throughout the supplier lifecycle.
This is a high-impact role focused on managing a global IT spend portfolio and delivering measurable value through cost optimisation, process improvement, and strategic supplier management. The role covers key IT categories including cloud infrastructure, software, hardware, telecoms, and IT consulting, operating across a complex global environment.
You will play a key role in both large-scale transformation programmes and business-as-usual contract renewals, ensuring procurement activity supports broader technology and commercial objectives.
Key Responsibilities- Category Strategy & Opportunity Identification
- Develop and maintain category strategies across IT spend areas
- Identify cost-saving and value creation opportunities across global technology spend
- Build and manage a pipeline of procurement initiatives and contract renewals
- Drive continuous improvement across sourcing and supplier engagement activities
- Vendor Management
- Maintain and develop relationships with key IT suppliers
- Support and lead supplier performance reviews and QBRs
- Ensure supplier performance aligns with contractual and business expectations
- Stakeholder Engagement
- Build strong relationships with Technology and business stakeholders globally
- Act as a key point of contact for IT procurement and supplier matters
- Support governance forums and working groups related to outsourcing and cloud services
- Ensure transparency of cost allocation and supplier activity across the business
- Sourcing & Delivery
- Lead end-to-end sourcing activity including requirements gathering and market analysis
- Run competitive tenders and negotiate commercial agreements
- Track and deliver cost savings and value outcomes
- Support consolidation of suppliers and risk reduction initiatives
- Process & Thought Leadership
- Improve procurement processes and drive operational efficiency
- Ensure alignment with internal policies and governance standards
- Provide market insights, benchmarking, and strategic advice to stakeholders
- Experience managing a procurement category, ideally IT, within a global organisation
- Strong track record of delivering measurable cost savings and value creation
- Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills
- Strong project management and delivery tracking capability
Please apply if you think suitable.
Procurement Specialist in London employer: Harrington Starr
As a leading global financial services organisation, we pride ourselves on fostering a dynamic and inclusive work culture that prioritises employee growth and development. Our Procurement Specialists benefit from a collaborative environment where innovation is encouraged, and opportunities for professional advancement are abundant, all while working in a vibrant global setting that values diversity and strategic thinking.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Procurement Specialist in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and engage with professionals on platforms like LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its procurement strategies. We recommend practising common interview questions and tailoring your answers to highlight your experience in managing IT categories and delivering cost savings. Show them you’re the perfect fit!
✨Tip Number 3
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in keeping you top of mind. We suggest mentioning something specific from your conversation to remind them why you’re the ideal candidate for the Procurement Specialist role.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities waiting for you, and applying directly can sometimes give you an edge. Plus, we’re always here to support you in your job search journey!
We think you need these skills to ace Procurement Specialist in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Procurement Specialist role. Highlight your experience in managing IT categories and delivering cost savings, as this will show us you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use specific examples of how you've driven value and improved processes in previous roles. We love seeing measurable outcomes!
Engage with Stakeholders:Since stakeholder management is key, mention any experience you have in building relationships with technology and business stakeholders. This will demonstrate your ability to engage effectively across teams.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and keep track of it, so don’t miss out!
How to prepare for a job interview at Harrington Starr
✨Know Your IT Categories
Make sure you brush up on the key IT categories mentioned in the job description, like cloud infrastructure and software. Being able to discuss these areas confidently will show that you understand the role and can hit the ground running.
✨Showcase Your Cost-Saving Successes
Prepare specific examples of how you've delivered measurable cost savings in previous roles. Use metrics and figures to back up your claims, as this will demonstrate your ability to drive value in procurement.
✨Build Relationships in Your Answers
Since stakeholder engagement is crucial, think about how you can illustrate your relationship-building skills. Share stories where you successfully managed relationships with suppliers or internal stakeholders to achieve a common goal.
✨Demonstrate Process Improvement Mindset
Be ready to discuss how you've improved procurement processes in the past. Highlight any initiatives you've led that resulted in operational efficiency, as this aligns perfectly with the expectations for the role.
