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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead IT procurement, manage contracts, and drive strategic improvements.
- Company: Dynamic higher education institution in London with a hybrid work model.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a complex environment while developing your procurement expertise.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement, strong stakeholder management, and knowledge of UK regulations.
- Other info: Join a collaborative team and mentor junior colleagues in a supportive setting.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
A higher education client is looking for an Interim IT Category Lead for 6 months to head up the category. This role is based in London with a non-negotiable hybrid model of 2 days per week in the office. I am looking for experienced IT Procurement professionals to lead this critical spending category within a complex, multi-stakeholder institute. The role is ideal for someone who combines deep procurement expertise with strong relationship building skills and the ability to drive strategic and operational improvement.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the IT procurement category, overseeing tendering, contract management and supplier performance.
- Act as a trusted advisor to senior leaders, shaping procurement strategy and ensuring value for money.
- Manage and deliver competitive sourcing activities across a range of IT goods and services.
- Develop and maintain strong internal stakeholder relationships across technical and non-technical teams.
- Ensure compliance with procurement legislation, internal policy, and best practice.
- Support organisational change initiatives and promote ethical, sustainable procurement.
- Review and negotiate contract terms, mitigating risk and securing commercial value.
- Contribute to policy development and continuous improvement across the wider procurement function.
- Line manage or mentor junior procurement colleagues where required.
What you’ll need to succeed
- Significant experience working as a procurement generalist in a complex or regulated environment (public sector, HE, healthcare, or similar desirable).
- Strong knowledge of UK public procurement regulations.
- Expertise in competitive tendering, category management and supplier negotiation.
- Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and lead category-wide initiatives.
- Excellent communication, analysis, and stakeholder management skills.
- Commercially astute with the ability to interpret data, challenge assumptions, and shape strategic decisions.
- Experience of operating under PA23 is desirable.
If you’re interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV. If you haven’t been contacted about this role, please assume you have been unsuccessful.
IT Category Lead in London employer: Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited
Contact Detail:
Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land IT Category Lead in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the higher education sector or IT procurement. A friendly chat can lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation's procurement strategies and recent projects. Show them you’re not just another candidate; you’re someone who’s genuinely interested in their mission.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! As an IT Category Lead, you’ll need to demonstrate your ability to secure value for money. Role-play scenarios with friends or colleagues to build confidence.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace IT Category Lead in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the IT Category Lead role. Highlight your procurement experience, especially in complex environments like higher education or public sector. We want to see how your skills match the job description!
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 role. Mention your relationship-building skills and how you can drive strategic improvements. We love a good story!
Showcase Relevant Experience: When detailing your experience, focus on specific examples that demonstrate your expertise in competitive tendering and supplier negotiation. We’re looking for evidence of your ability to influence senior stakeholders and lead initiatives.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and keep track of all the amazing candidates. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited
✨Know Your Procurement Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of UK public procurement regulations and competitive tendering. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully managed IT procurement categories in the past, as this will show your expertise and confidence in the field.
✨Build Relationships
Since this role involves managing relationships with senior stakeholders, think about examples where you've influenced decision-making or built strong partnerships. Prepare to share these stories to demonstrate your relationship-building skills.
✨Show Your Strategic Side
Be prepared to talk about how you've driven strategic improvements in previous roles. Think about specific initiatives you've led that resulted in cost savings or enhanced supplier performance, and be ready to explain your thought process.
✨Stay Compliant and Ethical
Familiarise yourself with compliance issues and ethical procurement practices. Be ready to discuss how you've ensured compliance in your previous roles and how you promote sustainable procurement within your teams.
