Procurement Manager - IT in Newcastle upon Tyne

We are seeking an accomplished Procurement Manager – IT to lead and elevate our strategic IT procurement function. This pivotal role is responsible for managing a team of Category Managers – IT and a Category Buyer, fostering a collaborative, high-performance environment that champions innovation and excellence. As the key driver of our IT procurement strategy, you will oversee high-value, complex procurement projects, ensuring alignment with organisational goals and positioning our team as a recognised centre of excellence.

Reporting directly to the Regional Procurement Manager, you will act as a trusted advisor, influencing senior leaders and driving the continuous improvement of procurement practices across the business. In addition to your advisory capacity, you will collaborate closely with other Procurement and Purchasing Managers to identify and implement strategic process enhancements and strengthen governance frameworks. By working together, you will ensure that best practices are consistently applied, compliance is maintained, and the procurement function evolves to meet the organisation’s changing needs. Your leadership will help foster a culture of excellence and accountability, positioning the procurement team as a centre of excellence within the business.

Key Responsibilities And Duties

• Team Leadership: Inspire, mentor, and develop Category Managers and a Category Buyer, shaping a best-in-class IT procurement team renowned for strategic thinking and exceptional results.
• Strategic Procurement: Lead significant, high-value IT procurements, employing advanced negotiation skills to secure optimal commercial outcomes and risk mitigation for the business.
• Stakeholder Management: Forge strong, influential partnerships with internal stakeholders, including senior executives to ensure procurement objectives are fully aligned with broader business priorities. Serve as the primary contact on IT procurement matters, providing expert guidance and leveraging your proven experience to influence at the highest level.
• Process Improvement: Drive strategic improvements in procurement processes, championing best practices and delivering measurable enhancements in efficiency, compliance, and value generation.
• Category Planning: Lead the creation of robust annual category plans, ensuring each plan supports business objectives and underpins the long-term procurement strategy.
• Supplier Relationships: Establish and maintain trusted partnerships with key suppliers, ensuring consistent delivery of quality, innovation, and cost-effectiveness.
• Market Analysis: Conduct in-depth market intelligence to anticipate industry trends, emerging technologies, and risks, informing proactive procurement strategies.
• Compliance: Guarantee all procurement activity meets internal policies, legal obligations, and the highest ethical standards.
• Collaboration: Work closely with fellow Procurement Managers to embed a culture of excellence, knowledge sharing, and continuous improvement across the wider procurement function.

Candidate specification

Essential

• Proven track record of leading successful IT procurement teams within complex, fast-paced environments.
• Extensive experience managing high-value IT procurement projects, demonstrating advanced negotiation and commercial skills.
• Demonstrable ability to build strong relationships with senior stakeholders, influencing decision-making at executive level.
• In-depth understanding of procurement best practices, compliance requirements, and industry standards.
• Strong analytical skills, with experience in market intelligence and category planning to inform strategic decisions.
• Hands-on experience in improving procurement processes and driving continuous improvement initiatives.

Desirable

• Experience working in multinational organisations or across multiple geographies.
• Professional procurement qualifications (e.g., MCIPS or equivalent).
• Exposure to emerging technologies and digital procurement tools.
• Demonstrated success in supplier relationship management, delivering innovation and value.
• Experience collaborating with cross-functional teams and embedding knowledge sharing practices.

Personal Attributes

• Inspirational leader with a passion for developing and empowering others.
• Strategic thinker, able to anticipate market trends and proactively shape procurement strategy.
• Exceptional communicator, capable of influencing and engaging stakeholders at all levels.
• Results-oriented, with a relentless drive for excellence and measurable outcomes.
• Resilient and adaptable, thriving in dynamic and challenging environments.
• Ethically minded, committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and compliance.
• Collaborative team player who fosters a culture of innovation, inclusion, and continuous improvement.

Benefits We Offer Some Fantastic Benefits Including

• Financial wellbeing: We match employee pension contributions between 4.5% and 7%; Life assurance up to 4 x basic salary, with option to increase to 6 x; Our income protection scheme provides a financial benefit and support for long-term illness or injury; Flexible benefits including life assurance, critical illness insurance, payroll saving and will writing.
• Employee Ownership: Our employee ownership model means no external investors, just us, creating a culture of shared success, with pathways toward ownership for senior roles from day one.
• Health and wellbeing: Private medical insurance for all UK colleagues; Health cash plan to cover everyday costs; Access to Peppy for menopause support; Wellbeing program with family coverage; Salary flex to opt into health benefits including family extensions.
• Lifestyle: 33-35 days holiday per year (inclusive of public holidays), with options to buy or sell leave; Holiday entitlement increases to 35 days after 5 years.
• Enhanced family and carers leave: Enhanced family leave policies: 26 weeks maternity/adoption; two weeks paternity/partner leave; Shared parental leave up to 24 weeks at full pay; Up to five additional days leave for significant caring responsibilities.
• Learning and development: Primary annual professional institution subscription; Opportunities to enhance technical and soft skills through mentoring, training, and self-development.