Category Manager – Technology Procurement (12 month FTC), Belfast

The TP ICAP Group is a world leading provider of market infrastructure. Our purpose is to provide clients with access to global financial and commodities markets, improving price discovery, liquidity, and distribution of data, through responsible and innovative solutions. Through our people and technology, we connect clients to superior liquidity and data solutions. The Group operates from more than 48 offices in 27 countries. We are 5,200 people strong. We work as one to achieve our vision of being the world’s most trusted, innovative, liquidity and data solutions specialist.

Role Overview: The Procurement function is responsible for the provision of leading edge procurement services aligned to business strategy and requirements, aiming to enhance value and productivity across the supplier value-chain through effective, efficient and agile processes delivered by a strategic, commercial and risk focussed function. The function plays a crucial role in ensuring that the organisation achieves value from its global supplier landscape. As such Procurement is accountable for the implementation and management of strategic procurement driving value through effective supplier relationship management, demand & consumption management, MI & BI analytics, third party risk management and the like.

Please note, this role is a 12-month Fixed Term Contract. The successful candidate will provide specialist Technology Procurement expertise to support strategic sourcing initiatives, commercial optimisation activities, supplier governance and procurement transformation programmes across the Group during this period.

Role Responsibilities:

• Support the Head of Procurement – Technology with development and implementation of 3 year rolling Technology Category Sourcing Strategy, including supplier segmentation, supplier consolidation strategy, PSL category definition and strategic procurement levers implementation.
• Define and agree category plans that deliver ongoing commercial value in terms of cost, performance and risk in accordance with the overall procurement strategy aligned to the business objectives and strategies.
• Build strong relationships with technology and business stakeholders, business management and finance as well as third party suppliers.
• Provide market insights to the broader procurement team including key stakeholders, senior management and the procurement sourcing office.
• Deliver sourcing process including pipeline management, competitive tenders and benchmarking to identify best supplier option is identified and commercial, contractual, performance and service delivery stipulations are embedded and aligned to business requirements.
• Ensure and complete all relevant Third Party Risk Management activities on a timely basis through liaison with the Procurement Efficiency Office.
• Ensure that all technology software contracts have been abstracted and added to the contract repository and contract meta data is kept up-to-date throughout the contract lifecycle.
• Actively participate in the Procurement strategic initiatives including transformation, continuous improvement and innovation programmes.
• Manage and lead complex and high value contract negotiations with suppliers.
• Participate and manage appropriate Governance forums and develop supporting metrics & reporting in conjunction with the Procurement Efficiency Office.
• Collaborate and support the commercial contract management team with the management of the category Panels and Preferred Supplier Lists, performance and commercial issues during the post-deal contract period.
• Provide support to the Procurement Efficiency Office with supplier onboarding queries and process issues, as well as offboarding of suppliers upon contract termination.

Experience / Competences

• Proven experience operating within a strategic procurement, category management or sourcing function.
• Demonstrable experience managing Technology spend categories, including one or more of the following: Software, SaaS, Infrastructure, Cloud Services, Telecommunications, Managed Services or IT Professional Services.
• Experience leading end-to-end sourcing activities, including supplier selection, competitive tendering, negotiations and contract award.
• Proven commercial negotiation and contract management skills, with the ability to deliver measurable value through cost optimisation, risk reduction and service improvements.
• Experience developing and executing category plans or procurement strategies aligned to business objectives.
• Demonstrated stakeholder management and relationship-building skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders across Technology, Finance and Business functions.
• Experience managing supplier relationships and evaluating supplier performance, capability and commercial value.
• Solid analytical skills with the ability to interpret spend data, market intelligence and supplier insights to support decision making.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to present recommendations and commercial outcomes to senior stakeholders.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver outcomes within a fast-paced and evolving environment.

• Experience managing Software Licensing, SaaS, Cloud Infrastructure or IT Outsourcing categories in a complex enterprise environment.
• Experience within Financial Services, Capital Markets, Professional Services or another regulated industry.
• Knowledge of cloud commercial models, FinOps principles and cloud cost optimisation initiatives.
• Experience with Third-Party Risk Management, supplier governance and regulatory requirements relating to external suppliers.
• Familiarity with technology-related contracts, including software licensing, SaaS agreements, managed services and professional services contracts.
• Experience supporting procurement transformation, process improvement or operating model enhancement initiatives.
• Professional procurement qualification (MCIPS or equivalent).
• Experience working within a global procurement function supporting international stakeholders and suppliers.
• Experience using procurement, contract lifecycle management and supplier management platforms.

Location: UK - City Quays - Belfast