Procurement Category Manager (Technology)

Procurement Category Manager - Technology Location: Manchester Salary: £80-100k

An international professional services organisation is seeking an experienced Procurement Category Manager to lead strategic sourcing activity across its Technology spend. Operating as a senior member of a central procurement function, you will work in close partnership with Technology leadership to manage key supplier relationships and deliver sourcing initiatives spanning hardware, software, IT professional services, value-added resellers, and telecommunications.

This is a visible, commercially focused role suited to an individual who brings category credibility, analytical discipline, and the ability to influence senior stakeholders across a complex enterprise. You will shape category strategy, oversee end-to-end RFx activity, support contractual and commercial negotiations, and act as a trusted adviser to the business.

Key responsibilities:
• Acting as the lead procurement partner for Technology categories, ensuring compliant and commercially sound purchasing
• Managing strategic sourcing events from requirements and data analysis through to recommendation and award
• Driving contract and price negotiations, including reviewing business terms, SLAs, and SOWs
• Delivering structured category management including spend analysis, multi-year sourcing roadmaps, and market intelligence
• Enhancing supplier value and innovation through effective relationship management
• Influencing policy, process, and procurement governance across the global function
• Managing stakeholder engagement throughout RFx planning, project delivery, negotiation strategy, and contract award
• Supporting business units in an advisory capacity on procurement, sourcing strategy, and special projects
• Ensuring protection of commercially sensitive and confidential information

Candidate profile:
• Strong understanding of technology products, services, supply markets, and vendor ecosystems
• Demonstrable leadership capability, commercial judgement, and structured problem-solving skills
• Confident decision-maker able to balance data, stakeholder inputs, and risk
• Skilled at building credibility with senior internal customers

Required experience:
• Degree educated or equivalent
• At least seven years’ progressive strategic sourcing experience, including supplier negotiations and major RFx delivery
• Proven background in procurement category management, vendor management or vendor risk, and negotiation within technology categories
• Experience establishing or significantly maturing a strategic sourcing function is advantageous
• International procurement exposure preferred, particularly in IT hardware

The offer:
The organisation provides a competitive salary, performance-related bonus, comprehensive benefits, pension provision, paid leave entitlement, wellbeing support, structured professional development, and a collaborative culture focused on innovation and improvement.

This employer is committed to equality of opportunity and will consider qualified applicants in accordance with applicable legislation, including fair-chance hiring provisions.

For a confidential discussion or to request further details, please contact us.

Robert Walters Operations Limited is an employment business and employment agency and welcomes applications from all candidates