Senior Category Manager - IT in London

Senior Category Manager - IT in London

London Full-Time 55000 - 65000 £ / year (est.) Working from home possible
Landsec

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead IT procurement strategy and build strong supplier relationships to drive value.
  • Company: Join Landsec, a leading real estate company shaping urban life in the UK.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous leave, private medical insurance, and learning opportunities.
  • Other info: Flexible working options and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment while developing your career.
  • Qualifications: Proven experience in IT procurement and excellent negotiation skills required.

The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.

WE ARE LANDSEC We identify and shape places that create opportunity, enhance quality of life, and bring joy to the people connected to them. This is how we’ve created the UK’s leading portfolio of urban places and one of the largest real estate companies in Europe. Our £10 billion portfolio is built around premium workplaces, the country’s pre-eminent retail platform, and a residential pipeline that will redefine urban life. We’ve honed this ability over 80 years. Spotting the opportunities, building the partnerships, and continually adapting to shape the places that meet the needs of a changing world. Places where life happens. Where businesses grow. And where cities are defined.

LOCATION This role will be located at 80 Victoria Street, London, SW1E 5JL, at a minimum, 3 days per week, with the option to work from home for up to 2 days per week.

THE ROLE Being the primary point of contact within the Group Procurement Team for the IT spend category focussing on category strategy development and execution. Influencing and maintaining strong relationships with the data and technology team, supporting the delivery of their strategy ensuring you become a trusted advisor. Lead on strategic procurement activity, ability to identify cost efficiencies through innovative deal making. Support strategic change programmes across the business and increase the adoption of our Supply Chain Commitments throughout our supply chain. Upskilling the wider business on category management and support the development and delivery of our Supplier Relationship Management program. Responsible for developing and maintaining strong supplier relationships, contracting and delivering sustainable value year on year.

PRINCIPLE ACCOUNTABILITIES Lead on developing, implementing, advocating and delivering the short and long term procurement strategy within the IT category. Develop the category strategy for IT and deliver maximum commercial benefit through the selection and application of appropriate procurement processes and contracting. Influence strategic decision making for IT through cross functional collaboration. Assist the Head of Procurement in the creation of the SRM framework and playbook in order to create the Landsec supplier relationship management centre of excellence. Work collaboratively with Enabling functions and other business areas across the group. Oversee the development of key, strategic supplier relationships and undertake negotiations with these partners. Deliver against a personal savings target aligned to the procurement team’s savings target. Resolve escalated supplier performance issues. Assist the Head of Procurement with regular procurement updates to various ELT, Board and Exco sessions.

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA Excellent IT knowledge and previous experience leading an IT category and proven track record delivering commercial value and successful procurement outcomes. Experience operating in fast-paced environment with experience working with and influencing stakeholders at all levels. Advanced negotiation skills, with ability to apply these both externally and internally to find creative solutions to drive value and savings, whilst building quality, long term, partnerships with our partners. Strong end to end procurement process knowledge and expertise in project management and planning with the ability to work independently to meet demanding deadlines. Excellent communication and report writing skills. Proven experience in managing third party risk.

Life and Benefits at Landsec We have a great benefits package, there to support you with your work-life balance and in moments that matter. We offer fantastic Learning and Development opportunities to help you grow and reach your potential and we also play our part in supporting the communities where we live and work. Below are some of our core benefits:

  • Performance based annual bonus plan
  • 25 days annual leave (plus bank holidays) rising to 27 days after 2 years and the option to purchase up to 10 additional days each year. Enjoy an additional three-day December festive break on top of your leave and a special ‘My Day’ to take off for whatever you choose.
  • Enhanced pension contributions – Landsec will contribute up to 10.5% subject to your contribution.
  • Private medical insurance, Health Cash Plan, Life assurance and income protection.
  • Enhanced maternity, adoption, shared parental leave policies.
  • Two different share plans enabling you to share in the success you will help to build.
  • Up to 4 working days to volunteer per year and 'Give As You Earn' programmes allowing you to donate to charities straight out of your pay and we top up by 20%.
  • Access to other benefits: our employee assistance programme, digital GP, cycle to work scheme, a mindfulness app and a health app supporting fertility and menopause.

Diversity and Inclusion At Landsec, we value diversity & inclusion. We work to better reflect the diversity of the communities we work within and empower everyone who works at Landsec to realise their potential. We strive to ensure all our information, and services are accessible to and usable by everyone. If you would like to receive any information in a different way or would like us to do anything differently to help you apply for our roles, please get in touch with our recruitment partners.

Senior Category Manager - IT in London employer: Landsec

Landsec is an exceptional employer that champions innovation and collaboration in the heart of London. With a strong focus on employee growth, we offer hybrid working arrangements and a vibrant work culture that encourages creativity and strategic thinking. Join us to be part of a forward-thinking team dedicated to driving meaningful change and delivering value across our portfolio.

Landsec

Contact Details:

Landsec Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Senior Category Manager - IT in London

Get Savvy with Industry Perks

Join procurement and purchasing forums or groups where pros hang out, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply). They'll share the inside scoop on job openings that might not show up on traditional job boards!

Show Off Your Skills

Consider creating a portfolio that outlines your achievements in procurement, like cost-saving initiatives or supplier management strategies. Having tangible evidence of your skills can really set you apart when applying to companies like Landsec.

Tap into Your Network

Leverage LinkedIn to connect with professionals in procurement—follow relevant hashtags, join groups, and engage in discussions. This is a great way to get noticed by potential employers before they even post a job!

Keep Your Eyes on Job Boards

With full-time positions, timing can be everything. Set alerts on job boards specifically for procurement roles. Don't wait for a job posting to close; apply through our website as soon as you see a fit—being proactive can give you the edge!

We think you need these skills to ace Senior Category Manager - IT in London

Category Strategy Development
Stakeholder Management
Negotiation Skills
Procurement Process Knowledge
Supplier Relationship Management
Project Management
Communication Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your Procurement Know-How:When you're crafting your CV, make sure to highlight any procurement-specific skills you've got. Talk about your experience with supplier negotiations, cost analysis, or inventory management. If you’ve used software like SAP or Oracle, don’t forget to mention that too – it shows you know your way around the tech side of things!

Quantify Your Achievements:In procurement, numbers matter. Use your CV and cover letter to showcase any quantifiable achievements you've made in reducing costs or improving efficiencies. For example, mentioning that you helped save 20% on purchasing costs last year is way more impressive than just saying you managed the budget!

Tailor Your Cover Letter to Landsec:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to Landsec. Research the company’s procurement strategy, mention how your skills align with their goals, and share your enthusiasm for contributing to their success. This personal touch can really set you apart from the crowd!

Professional Certs Can Go a Long Way:If you've got any procurement-related certifications, such as CIPS or APICS, make sure they're front and centre on your CV. These qualifications show you're serious about your career in procurement and are committed to continuous learning. It’s a great way to signal your expertise and dedication to potential employers like Landsec.

How to prepare for a job interview at Landsec

Show Off Your Negotiation Skills

In procurement, strong negotiation skills are key. Be ready to share examples of past negotiations where you've successfully saved costs or improved supplier terms. We want to hear how you approached those situations and the strategies you used to achieve positive outcomes!

Know Your Tools

Make sure you’re familiar with procurement software and tools commonly used in the industry, such as SAP Ariba or Coupa. Come prepared to discuss any experiences you've had with these tools or similar platforms, as we need someone who can hit the ground running at Landsec!

Understand Market Trends

As a procurement professional, being aware of market trends can set you apart. Brush up on recent developments in supply chain management or procurement best practices and think about how they could impact your role at Landsec. Bringing a current perspective will show your enthusiasm for the industry.

Demonstrate Your Team Player Attitude

A full-time position means you'll be working closely with various teams. Be prepared to discuss how you collaborate with others, manage conflicts, and build relationships with stakeholders. Sharing anecdotes about past teamwork experiences will highlight your ability to fit into Landsec's culture.