Category Manager - Technology Services in London

Role: OVO

Team: Procurement & Supply (Finance)

Salary banding: £43,610 - £62,801

Experience: Mid-level

Working pattern: Full-Time

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 abilities, gender identities, ethnicities, ages, sexual orientations, life experiences and backgrounds to join us.

Teamworking for the planet. Everything we do here spins around Plan Zero. So, naturally, the team you’ll be joining plays a gigantic role in making that happen. Here’s how: As an enterprise business OVO’s supply chain presents large risk but great opportunity when it comes to sustainability and wider ESG initiatives. Procurement & Supply play a vital role when contributing to OVO’s wider Plan Zero aspirations ensuring we’re working with the right partners and managing risks appropriately.

This role in a nutshell: We are seeking an exceptional Category Manager to support the Senior Category Manager in the strategic management of the Technology Professional Services procurement category. You will develop and execute category strategies, manage supplier relationships, and oversee procurement processes to deliver maximum value and mitigate risks. Your focus will align with OVO's Plan Zero ambitions, ensuring sustainable and ethical sourcing practices while achieving commercial success.

Your key outcomes will be:

• Ensuring Tech Professional Services 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.

Additionally, you will:

• Use data to maintain a clear view of technology professional services 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.
• 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 - Technology Services at OVO if you…

• Are a strategic thinker with at least 3 years of 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.

You won’t like this role if you…

• Are uncomfortable leading on initiatives with high corporate exposure.
• Are unable to effectively and constructively challenge the status quo.
• Are uncomfortable giving and receiving constructive feedback.
• Do not possess technical understanding of Procurement best practice.
• Are unable to work effectively across a wider team and influence multiple stakeholders with disparate priorities.
• Do not possess strong commercial acumen and an eye for a deal.
• Are unable to effectively sell and promote the benefits of a robust procurement approach to your colleagues and peers.

Let’s talk about what’s in it for you. We’ll pay you between £43,610 and £62,801, depending on your specific skills and experience. You’ll be eligible for an on-target bonus of 15%. We also offer plenty of green benefits and progressive policies to help you feel like you belong at OVO…and there’s flex pay. We’ll give you 9% Flex Pay on top of your salary – 4% of this is auto enrolled into your pension, and the remaining 5% is yours to do what you like with.