Sourcing Manager - Tech in Manchester

A leading global organisation is seeking a Sourcing Manager to join their dynamic Finance team at their Manchester head office. This is an exceptional opportunity for you to play a pivotal role in shaping the technology and digital procurement strategy, with a primary focus on SAAS and online services.

As a Sourcing Manager – Technology and Digital Procurement based in Manchester, your day-to-day responsibilities will centre around supporting the Senior Sourcing Manager in driving forward the technology sourcing strategy. You will engage deeply with stakeholders across finance, legal, tech transformation teams as well as external suppliers. Your role will involve negotiating complex commercial agreements for SAAS and online services categories while ensuring robust supplier management through regular reviews. You will be instrumental in developing procurement strategies tailored to each category’s needs conducting RFPs, evaluating vendors against clear frameworks, presenting contract recommendations transparently using established finance platforms. By partnering closely with sustainability experts within the organisation you’ll help shape responsible sourcing approaches that contribute meaningfully towards climate change mitigation and circular economy goals.

Support the Senior Sourcing Manager by delivering commercial support including risk management, supplier identification, planning and re-tenders across multiple divisions to ensure optimal commercial clauses are negotiated within agreements. Drive margin improvement, sales growth, and operational enhancements by managing expenditure primarily from UK and European businesses with potential expansion into global markets where leverage opportunities exist. Collaborate closely with divisional colleagues to collectively improve sourcing processes, commercial terms, supplier performance, and foster innovation within the technology category. Assist in building effective procurement strategies for each category by conducting activities such as RFPs, negotiations of commercial agreements, and ongoing vendor management to deliver continuous savings as well as performance and process improvement. Maintain strong relationships with key suppliers through regular business reviews to ensure optimum performance and alignment with organisational goals. Engage with colleagues on matters including revenue/capex budgets by embedding savings into business cases for new projects or investments. Present transparent and detailed recommendations regarding proposed contract awards and sourcing changes using Group Finance platforms for purchase orders, tenders, and eAuctions. Work regularly with the Legal team to minimise risk while maximising commercial leverage via agreements that include clearly defined service levels, KPIs, and remedies for non-performance. Partner with acquisition business contacts to rapidly deliver financial benefits arising from wider group commercial leverage. Contribute actively to ESG goals by collaborating with the Sustainability team on climate change initiatives, sustainable sourcing practices, recycling programmes, and circular economy projects.

To excel as a Sourcing Manager – Technology and Digital Procurement you will bring proven experience from similar roles within IT/SAAS/online categories ideally gained over two years or more. Your background should reflect an ability to manage complex procurement projects collaboratively while navigating ambiguity thoughtfully. You’ll possess strong analytical capabilities enabling you to interpret data effectively for solution development; your negotiation style will be considerate yet persuasive focused on achieving win-win outcomes rather than dominance. Interpersonal skills are paramount: your capacity for empathy ensures harmonious stakeholder relationships whether working alongside product owners or engaging external suppliers. Organisational prowess allows you to juggle multiple priorities efficiently without sacrificing attention-to-detail or reliability. A degree in Supply Chain Management/Business (or related field) is preferred but not essential if offset by relevant experience. Above all else your enthusiasm for technology sourcing combined with a commitment to shared success sets you apart.

Proven ability to take ownership of issues by proposing solutions that achieve deadlines or business goals while maintaining transparency throughout the process. Initiative-driven approach as a dependable self-starter who seeks out opportunities to deliver value collaboratively within teams. Influence skills that enable you to engage others positively driving change through gentle persuasion rather than forceful assertion and resolving challenges considerately. Exceptional engagement and communication abilities evidenced by successful delivery of process improvements and efficiencies in previous roles. Meticulous attention to detail combined with confidence across related categories such as SAAS & online sourcing; able to analyse data thoroughly for informed decision-making. Analytical mindset supported by proficiency in MS Office software; adept at using data insights to develop effective solutions addressing business needs while initiating margin improvement opportunities. Negotiation expertise coupled with excellent oral/written presentation skills that foster trust among internal/external stakeholders without resorting to aggressive tactics. Track record of building strong relationships through empathy and understanding both internally across departments (digital trading teams/product owners/core tech/legal/finance) and externally with suppliers. Organised approach underpinned by reliable project management skills; capable of thriving in fast-paced environments where adaptability is valued over rigid independence.