At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead IT category management and drive value through strategic sourcing initiatives.
- Company: Join Portsmouth Water, a forward-thinking company committed to innovation and sustainability.
- Benefits: Enjoy 27 days annual leave, generous pension, and health support services.
- Other info: Flexible working arrangements available; we value diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Shape the future of IT services while making a real impact in the water industry.
- Qualifications: Strong negotiation skills and experience in strategic sourcing required.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
Portsmouth Water are looking for a strategic and innovative professional to join our Procurement team, focusing on IT Category Management. In this role, you will lead and manage end-to-end category plans, identifying initiatives that maximise value and minimise commercial risk for Portsmouth Water. You will be responsible for a portfolio of IT suppliers, ensuring continuous improvement and added value throughout the contract lifecycle. Your extensive IT category expertise and market insight will support internal stakeholders and inform sourcing strategies. You will also lead sourcing initiatives, including tenders and negotiations, ensuring value delivery and regulatory compliance. This is a key role in shaping how Portsmouth Water delivers its IT services.
What will you be doing?
- Support the development and continual improvement of procurement best practices across the full lifecycle, ensuring processes remain current and effective.
- Build strong, trusted relationships with internal stakeholders and external suppliers, with the ability to influence at senior levels.
- Deliver exceptional customer service to both internal teams and external partners, promoting clear and proactive communication.
- Promote continuous improvement in procurement procedures and working practices to enhance service delivery and efficiency.
- Manage IT category spend with high strategic impact, ensuring alignment with business goals and risk mitigation.
- Develop and implement category and demand strategies by engaging stakeholders to understand business needs and specifications.
- Lead commercial activities across the sourcing lifecycle, delivering value creation and minimising total cost of ownership.
- Collaborate with business leaders to drive cost reduction through standardisation, aggregation, and minimising tail spend.
- Ensure full compliance with utilities procurement regulations, statutory obligations, and data protection requirements throughout sourcing processes.
- Embed Portsmouth Water’s health, safety, and wellbeing values into sourcing strategies and supplier qualification processes.
What do you need?
- Ability to analyse and present complex commercial/contractual data and concepts to a wide range of stakeholders.
- Strong organisational skills and ability to manage multiple workstreams.
- Solid negotiation, influencing and resolution skills.
- Outstanding communication skills and customer service ethic with strong stakeholder engagement capabilities.
- Self-starter – resilient and tenacious under pressure and willingness to develop skills and experience.
- Knowledge of the water industry and/or IT category specific supply chain.
- Experience of strategic sourcing in a multi-stakeholder environment and working within multi-disciplinary teams.
- Relevant transferable business and/or supply chain knowledge.
- Track record in delivering against stretching targets.
- Excellent proven commercial and contractual acumen.
- Knowledge and experience of regulated procurement procedures (either UCR, PCR or PA23).
- CIPS or MCIPS qualified; or alternative qualifications in transferable expertise.
We recognise people want to work in a variety of different ways, and that’s why we’re happy to consider flexible working arrangements. Please feel free to talk to us at interview about the flexibility you may be looking for.
Please note, we may close this advert early if we receive a high volume of applications — so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid missing out.
We’re committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, and we actively encourage applications from all sections of society.
Please note, the Company has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.
Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we’re unable to respond to every applicant individually. If your application is of interest, we’ll usually be in touch within 4 weeks of receiving it.
What can Portsmouth Water offer you?
- Enjoy 27 days of annual leave, plus bank holidays, giving you plenty of time to relax, recharge, and explore.
- We’ll help secure your future with a generous pension scheme, contributing up to 15% – because your tomorrow matters as much as your today.
- You could earn a non-contractual bonus of up to 6% of your basic salary, linked to company performance – because when we succeed together, you should benefit too.
- Whether you’re welcoming a new arrival through birth or adoption, we’ve got your back with enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption leave and pay.
- Our life assurance scheme gives your loved ones extra security, with a 4x salary lump sum benefit in case the unexpected happens.
- Whether you need confidential mental health and wellbeing advice 24/7 through our Employee Assistance Programme, or physical health support via our Virtual GP service (available 8am–10pm, 7 days a week for you and your immediate family), help is always close at hand with the HealthHero app.
- We know life has its ups and downs. That’s why we offer Private Medical Insurance - provided by Bupa giving you access to expert healthcare and 24/7 confidential support.
- Enjoy exclusive discounts at thousands of retailers, plus exciting benefits like Electric Vehicle Scheme (after 1 year).
IT Category Manager in Havant employer: Portsmouth Water
Portsmouth Water is an exceptional employer that prioritises the well-being and professional growth of its employees. With a strong commitment to work-life balance, generous benefits including 27 days of annual leave, a robust pension scheme, and comprehensive health support, the company fosters a collaborative and inclusive culture where innovation thrives. As an IT Category Manager, you will play a pivotal role in shaping procurement strategies while enjoying opportunities for continuous improvement and career advancement in a supportive environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land IT Category Manager in Havant
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, especially those who might have insights into Portsmouth Water. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching Portsmouth Water’s values and recent projects. Tailor your responses to show how your skills align with their goals, especially in IT category management and procurement best practices.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! Since this role involves leading sourcing initiatives, being able to demonstrate your ability to negotiate effectively will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining the Portsmouth Water team.
We think you need these skills to ace IT Category Manager in Havant
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the IT Category Manager role. Highlight your relevant experience in IT category management and how it aligns with Portsmouth Water's goals. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!
Showcase Your Skills:Don’t just list your skills; demonstrate them! Use specific examples from your past experiences that showcase your negotiation, stakeholder engagement, and strategic sourcing abilities. We love seeing how you’ve made an impact in previous roles.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Avoid jargon and make sure your key achievements stand out. We appreciate straightforward communication, so let’s keep it simple and effective!
Apply Early!:We might close the advert early if we get a lot of applications, so don’t wait around! Head over to our website and submit your application as soon as you can. We’re excited to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Portsmouth Water
✨Know Your IT Category Inside Out
Before the interview, dive deep into the specifics of IT category management. Familiarise yourself with current trends, challenges, and best practices in the IT procurement space. This will not only help you answer questions confidently but also demonstrate your expertise and passion for the role.
✨Build Relationships with Stakeholders
Since this role involves managing relationships with both internal stakeholders and external suppliers, think of examples where you've successfully built trust and influenced decisions. Be ready to discuss how you can apply these skills at Portsmouth Water to enhance collaboration and service delivery.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare to discuss specific instances where you've led successful negotiations or sourcing initiatives. Highlight your approach to minimising costs while maximising value, and be ready to share any strategies that have worked well for you in the past.
✨Understand Compliance and Regulations
Brush up on the relevant procurement regulations, such as UCR, PCR, or PA23. Being able to articulate your understanding of compliance and how it impacts sourcing strategies will show that you're not just a strategic thinker but also someone who values regulatory adherence.
