Senior Category Manager

Your new company

We are seeking a Senior Category Manager to provide leadership and direction across key categories, ensuring optimal supply market management, contract execution, and innovative sourcing strategies.

Your new role

• Lead strategic sourcing activities across IT software, hardware, professional services, audio-visual, and telecommunications to deliver optimal business outcomes.

• Drive procurement strategy at both the organisational and local levels, ensuring alignment with business objectives.

• Develop detailed spend models, including Total Cost of Ownership and risk modelling, leveraging analytical, evaluation, and research expertise.

• Oversee large-scale category and sourcing projects, including multi-stakeholder buying arrangements.

• Engage with industry forums, suppliers, and stakeholders to influence best practices within the category.

• Lead cross-functional teams in complex agreement evaluations, ensuring strategic alignment and efficiency.

• Provide expert guidance in commercial negotiations, coaching procurement staff and optimising contract value while minimising risk.

• Develop bespoke agreements to support emerging business needs and evolving procurement landscapes.

• Proactively manage commercial, contractual, operational, financial, ethical, reputational, and supply chain risks, ensuring robust risk allocation in contracts.

• Strengthen stakeholder relationships through leadership and influencing skills, supporting procurement excellence across the organisation.

What you'll need to succeed

• Proven track record in leading strategic sourcing activities across IT software, hardware, professional services, audiovisual solutions, and telecommunications.

• Skilled in developing comprehensive spend models, including Total Cost of Ownership and risk modelling, to inform decision-making.

• Strong analytical, evaluation, and research capabilities, with extensive experience in assessing business needs and supply markets.

• Expertise in leading large-scale sourcing initiatives and managing complex categories or projects, including multi-stakeholder buying arrangements.

• Active participation in industry forums, supplier networks, and customer collaborations to drive category innovation.

• Experience in leading cross-functional teams through the evaluation of complex agreements involving multiple stages, criteria, and stakeholders.

• Ability to lead complex procurement negotiations, coaching and guiding procurement teams in negotiation techniques and strategies.

• Proven success in negotiating high-value agreements across complex categories, delivering enhanced value and minimising risk.

• Demonstrated leadership in managing and influencing stakeholders, fostering collaboration between users and suppliers.

• Ability to coach and mentor procurement staff, driving operational excellence and improved procurement outcomes.

What you'll get in return

• Flexible working from home policy

• Work within a supportive and motivated team

• South of the river

What you need to do now

If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call Samantha Boys now on 92544556.

If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion on your career.