IT Category Manager in Southampton

Location: Southampton (2 days a week in office)

Sector: NHS

Overview

Our client is seeking an experienced IT Procurement Category Manager to join a growing and strategically focused procurement function. This is a key opportunity for a commercially minded procurement professional to take ownership of a defined IT spend portfolio and drive value, innovation, and efficiency across a broad range of technology categories.

In this role, you will play a pivotal part in shaping and executing sourcing strategies that support wider organisational objectives. You’ll lead end‑to‑end procurement activity across hardware, software, digital services, telecoms, infrastructure, cloud solutions, and wider technology service lines. This is an ideal position for someone who thrives in a dynamic environment, enjoys influencing senior stakeholders, and is motivated by delivering high‑impact commercial outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Category Ownership: Manage a defined IT spend portfolio, acting as the category expert and key point of contact for stakeholders across the business.
• Strategic Sourcing: Develop, lead, and implement sourcing strategies across the full IT landscape, identifying opportunities for innovation, cost optimisation, and supplier performance enhancement.
• Tendering & Supplier Evaluation: Lead competitive procurement processes, including RFIs/RFPs, tender analysis, and supplier negotiation.
• Management: Support contract development, negotiation, and implementation to ensure commercial robustness, compliance, and ongoing value delivery.
• Supplier Relationship Management: Build long‑term partnerships with key technology suppliers, ensuring strong performance, service quality, and continuous improvement.
• Stakeholder Collaboration: Work closely with senior leaders, IT teams, operational colleagues, and finance to ensure procurement decisions align with strategic and technical requirements.
• Risk & Compliance: Manage procurement risks, ensure adherence to internal governance, and maintain best‑practice procurement standards.
• Continuous Improvement: Identify opportunities to enhance category management processes and contribute to procurement capability development across the organisation.

Qualifications & Experience

• Graduate Diploma in the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) or equivalent professional accreditation, or demonstrable relevant procurement experience.
• Educated to degree level or equivalent experience in procurement , contracting , or commercial leadership .
• Proven experience managing IT or similar corporate procurement categories within a complex organisation.
• Strong understanding of IT commercial models, licensing structures, and supplier ecosystems.
• Training or experience in risk assessment/analysis .
• Experience implementing IT contracts within regulated or highly governed environments.

What This Role Offers

• The opportunity to lead category strategy across a diverse and evolving IT landscape.
• Exposure to a wide range of technology areas, suppliers, and strategic initiatives.
• A role with significant scope for professional development, skill expansion, and influence.
• The chance to make a meaningful impact through commercial leadership, innovation, and strategic procurement delivery.

If this opportunity interests you, please do not hesitate to get in touch or apply.

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