At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead IT procurement, manage contracts, and drive cost optimisation for a sustainable energy future.
- Company: Join Lightsource bp, a leader in renewable energy committed to sustainability and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, annual bonus, health insurance, and opportunities for personal development.
- Other info: Be part of an inclusive community that values your ideas and promotes responsible practices.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the energy transition while growing your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in IT procurement, strong negotiation skills, and a relevant degree or certification.
The predicted salary is between 54000 - 66000 £ per year.
We are Lightsource bp – and we’re on a mission to become a global leader in onshore renewables, anchored by our proven track record in solar development. For over a decade we’ve been actively working to diversify the way our world is powered with sustainable and responsible renewable power. We work to safely deliver affordable, reliable, large-scale onshore renewable and energy storage solutions to help the world decarbonise. Our growing business is constantly innovating and investing to help drive the energy transition. Our people and projects are focused on supporting long‑term sustainable growth and energy security.
Lightsource bp operates with five core values: Safety, Integrity, Respect, Sustainability, and Drive. We seek to attract and hire individuals who share our commitment to creating a safe workplace, uphold the highest standards of integrity, and demonstrate respect for colleagues, communities, and the environment. Our recruitment process promotes sustainability by valuing long‑term growth and responsible practices, while seeking candidates with the drive to innovate and lead in the global energy transition.
What you’ll do (the role) Summary: We are seeking a proactive IT Procurement Category Manager to lead sourcing, category management, and contract governance for IT. This role will drive cost optimization, risk mitigation, and supplier innovation to support Lightsource bp’s global growth and digital transformation objectives.
Responsibilities of the Role:
- Own the full IT contract lifecycle, ensuring governance and delivering commercial value.
- Develop and implement comprehensive category strategies aligned with business priorities.
- Lead all sourcing activities: requirements gathering, RFx management, vendor selection, negotiation, and onboarding.
- Build and maintain strategic relationships with IT suppliers and internal stakeholders as a trusted advisor.
- Draft, review, and negotiate contract terms for software, hardware, IT services, and outsourcing.
- Maintain centralized contract registers to ensure accuracy and accessibility.
- Ensure compliance with supplier contractual obligations and procurement policies.
- Collaborate with Finance to produce spend reports and assist with budgeting and forecasting.
- Lead cost control initiatives across IT procurement categories.
- Provide commercial risk management, escalating and resolving disputes as needed.
- Monitor supplier performance via KPIs, contract reviews, and governance meetings, leveraging spend analytics for continual improvement.
Why you’ll make a great member of the team:
Experience & Knowledge Required:
- Strong expertise in IT procurement best practices, covering hardware, software, cloud, and outsourcing.
- Solid understanding of commercial objectives, procurement processes, and budgeting cycles.
- Proven track record negotiating complex IT contracts and managing vendor relationships.
- Experience delivering cost savings and enhancing procurement processes.
- Practical knowledge of software licensing models and associated commercial terms.
- Demonstrated ability to develop and implement category strategies and procurement policies.
- Experienced in working towards cost‑saving targets, compliance, and supplier performance KPIs.
Skills Required:
- Excellent negotiation and influencing abilities to engage effectively with senior stakeholders.
- Strong commercial acumen and exceptional attention to detail.
- Collaborative approach with capability to lead cross‑functional procurement projects.
- Skilled at influencing IT, Finance, and other teams to achieve aligned outcomes.
- Proficient in data‑driven decision‑making and category analytics.
- Experienced in driving change management within procurement functions.
- Effective communicator, confident in both verbal and written formats.
- Proactive, adaptable, solution‑oriented mindset with strong organization and prioritization skills.
- Leadership qualities including mentoring and coaching team members.
- Strategic thinker with proven change management experience.
Education Required:
- Relevant degree or equivalent experience in procurement, IT, or related disciplines.
- MCIPS or CIPS certification preferred.
Why you’ll want to work for us:
Our company is a place where you can be yourself and grow, a place where your ideas and opinions matter. Be you: We pride ourselves on being an inclusive community, where every individual is valued and treated with respect. Be responsible: Our culture is driven by our core values – from operating safely to ensuring our projects are responsible. Be inspired: Beyond your day‑to‑day working life at Lightsource bp, there’s a variety of initiatives that will contribute to your own personal development. These include our charitable causes, supporting our solar honey project, or volunteering on our VIBES committee to name a few.
Be recognized: Alongside a competitive salary, we offer a variety of benefits including annual bonus, retention bank, health insurance, pension and other local benefits.
Our core values: Lightsource bp truly cares about creating a sustainable future through safe, responsible and meaningful low carbon energy projects. Our core values of Safety, Integrity, Respect, Sustainability and Drive are the guiding principles for everything we do.
IT Procurement Category Manager employer: Lightsourcelabs
At Lightsource bp, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture. As a Junior AI Platform Engineer, you'll not only engage with cutting-edge technology but also benefit from extensive growth opportunities within a supportive environment that values your curiosity and passion for AI. Located in a dynamic sector, our team is dedicated to empowering employees through continuous learning and development, making it a truly rewarding place to advance your career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land IT Procurement Category Manager
✨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 Lightsourcelabs.
✨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 IT Procurement Category Manager
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 Lightsourcelabs:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to Lightsourcelabs. 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 Lightsourcelabs.
How to prepare for a job interview at Lightsourcelabs
✨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 Lightsourcelabs!
✨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 Lightsourcelabs. 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 Lightsourcelabs's culture.
