Strategic Category Lead, IT & Digital - #2122662

We are supporting a major public-sector organisation in London with the appointment of a Senior Category Manager / Strategic Category Lead (IT & Digital).

This is a senior procurement opportunity for an experienced IT Procurement, Digital Procurement, Category Management or Strategic Sourcing professional looking to combine commercial leadership with people management and genuine influence at senior stakeholder level.

We are keen to attract candidates from across the public sector and other complex, regulated environments.

The opportunity

You will lead the IT and Digital procurement category, developing and delivering commercial strategies that support organisational transformation, innovation and value for money.

You'll provide strategic procurement leadership while managing and developing a team of procurement professionals. The role involves significant engagement with senior stakeholders, suppliers and external framework and government organisations.

Key responsibilities

• Lead IT & Digital category strategy, strategic sourcing and procurement.
• Manage and develop a team of procurement professionals.
• Lead complex, high-value IT and digital procurement projects from strategy through to contract award.
• Develop sourcing strategies, tender processes and robust commercial agreements.
• Lead complex commercial negotiations and contract management.
• Build strategic supplier relationships and drive supplier performance.
• Deliver measurable cost savings, cost avoidance and added-value benefits.
• Analyse markets, spend and supplier capability to identify commercial opportunities.
• Act as a trusted commercial business partner to senior stakeholders, influencing strategy and challenging existing approaches.
• Lead cross-functional projects and support major digital and technology transformation programmes.
• Ensure procurement activity complies with public-sector procurement regulations, governance and commercial best practice.

What we're looking for

You'll ideally bring:

• Strong experience in IT procurement, digital procurement and/or technology category management.
• Proven experience leading complex negotiations and high-value contracts.
• Experience developing and implementing strategic sourcing and category strategies.
• Strong knowledge of public-sector procurement and procurement regulations.
• Experience managing and developing procurement teams.
• Excellent stakeholder management, influencing and negotiation skills.
• Strong commercial and analytical capability.
• A track record of delivering financial and performance targets.
• The confidence to engage with senior executives and lead change in complex organisations.

Transferable backgrounds welcome

We'd particularly welcome applications from professionals with experience across:

Central Government | Local Government | Higher Education | Healthcare | Housing | Transport | Utilities | Emergency Services | Healthcare | Other regulated or complex organisations

Qualifications

CIPS Level 4 minimum, alongside a degree-level qualification or equivalent experience and evidence of continuing professional development.

Why apply?

This is more than a traditional procurement role. You'll have the opportunity to lead an IT & Digital category, manage a procurement team, influence senior decision-makers and shape major commercial strategies.

Hybrid working: 2 days in London, 3 days from home | Salary £75-80k

If you're searching for your next Strategic Category Lead, Head of IT Procurement, IT Category Manager, Digital Procurement Manager or Senior Procurement Manager opportunity in London, this could be an excellent next step.

Strategic Procurement | IT & Digital | Category Leadership | Public Sector