Category Manager - Software

Overview

Team: Procurement & Supply (Finance)

Salary banding: £43,610 - £62,801

Experience: Mid-level

Reporting to: Senior Category Manager, Technology

Sponsorship: Unfortunately we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.

This role in 3 words: Analysis, Relationships, Commercial

Top 3 qualities for this role: Negotiator, Self-Solving, Entrepreneurial

Where you’ll work: Depending on the needs of your business area, we expect hub based people to be in the office at least once a week, and to go to OVO Connection events in-person. You’ll be assigned to the closest one of our three hub offices, Bristol, Glasgow, or London. Each hub has accessible spaces to park your laptop, is designed to inspire people, help them connect and bring big ideas to life.

Everyone belongs at OVO. At OVO, we are on a mission to solve one of humanity's biggest challenges, the climate crisis. And we know it takes all of us to change the world. That’s why we need diverse people from all gender identities, ethnicities, ages, sexual orientations, life experiences and backgrounds to join us.

Team objectives:

• Driving significant commercial benefits to support OVO’s EBITDA targets.
• Getting the end to end contract lifecycle right, reducing risks, and driving compliance while maintaining agility.
• Procuring goods and services in a sustainable manner, aligning with OVO’s Plan Zero.
• Becoming a knowledge base of relevant supply markets, products, technologies, and trends.
• Managing supplier relationships through the contract lifetime, ensuring delivery expectations are met, and rectifying any issues.
• Continuously improving commercial value, process efficiency, and risk mitigation.
• Effectively partnering with internal stakeholders.
• Supporting the implementation of procurement systems that underpin opportunity execution while reducing risks and improving compliance.

Your key outcomes:

• Ensuring Software are fit for purpose, aligned to OVO’s objectives and key results and wider business needs, representing the best value and quality.
• Lead end-to-end procurement processes for assigned sub-categories in the technology space, ensuring efficiency and compliance.
• Negotiate contracts with suppliers to secure favourable terms and cost savings.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers to drive collaboration and innovation.
• Conduct market analysis to identify risks, opportunities, and trends for assigned sub-categories, feeding into the Technology Spend Category Strategy.
• Monitor supplier / agency performance and collaborate with the business on regular supplier performance reviews.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to align spend category objectives with organisational goals.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives across procurement activities.
• Support OVO’s sustainability goals through ethical and environmentally responsible sourcing.

Other responsibilities:

• Use data to maintain a clear view of software category spend and suppliers.
• Support category savings opportunity analysis and future pipeline initiatives.
• Execute RFx exercises, guiding stakeholders and ensuring strong project management practices.
• Lead material commercial initiatives, presenting to the C-suite in line with OVO’s authority matrix.
• Deliver effective Supplier Management strategies.
• In life contract management, reducing risk, scope creep, supplier performance and contract exit.
• Ensure adherence to procurement & contract policies and monitor compliance.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of procurement tools, processes, and customer journey management.
• Align sourcing activities with OVO’s Plan Zero objectives, demonstrating measurable contributions.

You’ll be a successful Category Manager if you:

• Are a strategic thinker with proven experience in procurement, supplier management or category management.
• Have strong negotiation skills with a proven track record of delivering material commercial benefits.
• Excel in managing supplier relationships, driving performance, and fostering innovation.
• Are analytical, capable of sourcing and interpreting data to inform decisions.
• Communicate effectively with stakeholders and build collaborative relationships.
• Demonstrate a commitment to sustainability and ethical procurement practices.
• Thrive in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and manage multiple priorities efficiently.
• Are a team player, working collaboratively with a pragmatic approach.
• Have or are working towards a CIPS qualification (desirable).
• Show an understanding of procurement systems (e.g., Workday Strategic Sourcing).
• Bring experience in sourcing across key subcategories, with exposure to the energy sector being a plus.

Role preferences:

• Are comfortable leading on initiatives with high corporate exposure (Head of Departments and Directors).
• Are able to challenge the status quo constructively.
• Are comfortable giving and receiving constructive feedback (radical candor).
• Have technical understanding of Procurement best practice.
• Are able to work effectively across a wider team and influence multiple stakeholders with disparate priorities.
• Possess strong commercial acumen and an eye for a deal.
• Are able to sell and promote the benefits of a robust procurement approach to colleagues and peers.

Compensation and benefits:

We’ll pay you between £43,610 and £62,801, depending on your specific skills and experience. We keep our pay ranges broad to match experience with our zero carbon mission. You’ll be eligible for an on-target bonus of 15%. We have one OVO bonus plan that focuses on collective performance toward our Plan Zero goal.

We also offer green benefits and progressive policies to help you feel like you belong at OVO, including 9% Flex Pay (4% auto-enrolled into pension; 5% discretionary) to use with our flexible benefits and green offerings. 34 days of holiday (including bank holidays).

Health, wellbeing and lifestyle:

For your health: healthcare cash plan or private medical insurance depending on career level, critical illness cover, life assurance, health assessments, and more.

For your wellbeing: gym membership, travel insurance, workplace ISA, will writing services, dental insurance, and more.

For your lifestyle: extra holiday buying, discount dining, home & tech loans, supporting your charities with give-as-you-earn donations.

For your home: up to £400 towards any OVO Energy plan, plus discounts on solar, smart thermostats and EV chargers. For your commute: ultra-low emission car leasing, cycle to work scheme, and public transport season ticket loans.

If you have additional requirements, there’s a space on the application form to note them; our People Team will help make the process easy and comfortable.

EEO notice: This description reflects the current role and may be subject to change. We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company.