At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead IT sourcing activities and negotiate contracts for software and technology services.
- Company: Join a leading insurance client with a focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Hybrid work model, competitive pay, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with a chance to work in a collaborative environment.
- Why this job: Make an impact in IT procurement while working with cutting-edge technologies.
- Qualifications: 10+ years in IT procurement and strong negotiation skills required.
The predicted salary is between 56250 - 68750 £ per year.
IT Category Manager- Procurement
We are currently recruiting for a Category Manager with strong Saa S experience to join one of our Insurance clients on a 6-month contract
- Inside IR35
- Hybrid- Ipswich/London a max of 2/3 time a month
The Role
- Lead and support end-to-end IT sourcing activities across software, Saa S, cloud, telecoms and technology services.
- Manage RFx processes, supplier evaluations, pricing analysis and commercial negotiations.
- Negotiate software, Saa S, cloud and professional services agreements, including pricing, liability, data protection, service levels and termination provisions.
- Translate technical requirements into commercial procurement strategies and supplier engagement approaches.
- Prepare sourcing documentation, business cases and approval packs in line with procurement governance requirements.
- Support supplier risk, security, privacy and compliance reviews where required.
- Review supplier proposals and identify opportunities to improve price, licence structure, commercial terms and service commitments.
- Work with Legal and business stakeholders to support contract review, negotiation and execution.
- Maintain sourcing documentation, supplier communications and procurement records in line with internal process requirements.
- Support supplier onboarding, renewals, software true-ups and contract lifecycle activities where required.
- The Requirements
- 10+ years of strong IT Procurement, Technology Procurement or IT Sourcing experience.
- Strong experience running sourcing events and supplier negotiations.
- Experience reviewing and negotiating IT contracts alongside Legal teams.
- Strong understanding of software, Saa S, cloud, telecoms and IT services procurement.
- Understanding of common enterprise software licensing models, including subscription, user-based, consumption-based and perpetual licensing structures.
- Experience working within a corporate procurement environment with defined governance and approval processes.
- Experience using procurement and contract management platforms such as Ariba, Coupa, Ivalua, Service Now or similar solutions.
- Software and Saa S procurement experience.
- Microsoft licensing experience.
- Cloud services experience across AWS, Azure, GCP or similar platforms.
- IT professional services sourcing experience.
- Telecoms and network services sourcing experience.
- Contract negotiation and RFx management experience.
- CIPS qualification, or working towards it.
Category Manager in City of London employer: Lorien
Join a forward-thinking company in Manchester that values technical expertise and offers a dynamic work culture. With a focus on hybrid working, flexible hours, and a strong emphasis on employee growth, this role provides the opportunity to lead impactful projects while maintaining a hands-on engineering position. Enjoy a competitive salary, annual bonus, and the chance to shape the future of corporate infrastructure services in a supportive environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Manager in City of London
✨Get Involved in Local Procurement Meetups
Join local procurement and purchasing groups on platforms like Meetup or Eventbrite. These gatherings are great for networking with industry professionals, sharing insights, and potentially hearing about temporary roles that might not be widely advertised!
✨Seasonal Hiring Cycles are Your Friend!
Keep an eye on seasonal trends in procurement, as many companies ramp up hiring during certain times of the year – especially around end-of-financial-year periods when budgets are being utilised. Be proactive and reach out to companies directly during these windows.
✨Leverage Online Platforms for Temporary Roles
Don’t forget to browse specific job boards dedicated to temporary positions, such as Reed or Indeed. You can filter your search for procurement roles and set up alerts for when new jobs pop up, so you can apply immediately!
✨Showcase Your Skills on Professional Networks
Create short case studies or posts on LinkedIn showcasing your procurement experience or interesting projects you've tackled. This not only builds your visibility but can also attract recruiters looking for temporary talent like you!
We think you need these skills to ace Category Manager in City of London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Relevant Experience:When applying for a temporary role in procurement-purchasing, it's crucial to highlight any relevant experience you have. Mention specific tasks like negotiating contracts, managing supplier relationships, or optimising inventory. This will show Lorien that you can hit the ground running!
Keep it Concise and Impactful:For a temporary role, we recommend keeping your CV and cover letter concise. Focus on key achievements that showcase your procurement skills and any immediate impact you’ve made in past roles. Use bullet points for clarity—this way, Lorien can quickly grasp your capabilities!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got any certifications that are relevant to procurement, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply), don’t forget to mention them! This adds extra weight to your application and shows Lorien that you're serious about your professional development.
Emphasise Flexibility and Availability:Since this is a temporary position, make sure to emphasise your availability and flexibility in your cover letter. Let Lorien know when you can start and that you’re ready to adapt to their needs, making your application even more appealing!
How to prepare for a job interview at Lorien
✨Know Your Procurement Basics
Brush up on key procurement concepts and terms, like 'total cost of ownership' and 'supplier relationships'. We want to impress them with our knowledge! Being able to talk fluently about relevant techniques and tools specific to the procurement field will definitely lend credibility.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
In a purchasing role, you might get thrown some real-world scenarios to assess how you’d handle supplier negotiations or cost-saving strategies. Be ready to demonstrate your problem-solving skills! Practising how you'd tackle these situations in advance will help us shine during the interview.
✨Highlight Your Flexibility and Adaptability
Since it’s a temporary role, emphasise how you can quickly adapt to new processes and environments. Share examples of past experiences where you’ve tackled new challenges with ease, showing they can rely on us to hit the ground running and contribute immediately!
✨Show Off Your Tech Savvy
Being well-versed in procurement software like SAP or Coupa can set us apart from other candidates. If you've got experience with these tools, be sure to mention it! Having a handle on data analysis and reporting will also demonstrate our capability to leverage technology effectively in procurement.
