At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage global IT spend, optimise costs, and improve supplier relationships.
- Company: Leading global financial services firm with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth, and dynamic work environment.
- Other info: Join a high-impact team with opportunities for transformation and improvement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in procurement while driving value across technology.
- Qualifications: Experience in IT procurement and strong 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 Slough 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 complex global landscape that offers unique challenges and rewards.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Procurement Specialist in Slough
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and don’t be shy about letting people know you’re on the hunt for a Procurement Specialist role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on an opportunity!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its procurement strategies. Understand their IT spend areas and think about how you can add value. We recommend practising common interview questions related to supplier management and cost optimisation to really impress them!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your achievements! When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, highlight specific examples of how you’ve delivered measurable cost savings or improved processes in previous roles. Numbers speak volumes, so bring those stats along!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged in their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Procurement Specialist in Slough
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.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter should tell us why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've driven value through supplier management and procurement initiatives in the past.
Showcase Your Stakeholder Skills:Since stakeholder engagement is key in this role, make sure to highlight your experience in building relationships with technology and business stakeholders. We want to see how you can influence and collaborate effectively.
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows us you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Harrington Starr
✨Know Your Categories Inside Out
Make sure you’re well-versed in the key IT categories mentioned in the job description, like cloud infrastructure and software. Research current trends and challenges in these areas so you can discuss them confidently during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Cost-Saving Successes
Prepare specific examples of how you've delivered measurable cost savings in previous roles. Use metrics to back up your claims, as this will demonstrate your ability to drive value in a procurement context.
✨Build Rapport with Stakeholders
Think about how you can establish strong relationships with technology and business stakeholders. Be ready to share strategies you've used in the past to engage and influence stakeholders effectively.
✨Demonstrate Your Project Management Skills
Be prepared to discuss your project management experience, especially in relation to sourcing activities and contract renewals. Highlight any tools or methodologies you’ve used to track delivery and ensure alignment with governance standards.
