Overall Purpose of job
The IT Category Manager is responsible for the execution of a category management approach to the procurement of a specified portfolio of IT spend to ensure compliance, drive efficiencies, mitigate supple risks and drive down the total cost of ownership to the organisation. The IT Category Manager is responsible for conducting internal and external analyses and engaging effectively with stakeholders to determine optimum sourcing strategies. They will lease or project manage others to provide a range of sourcing activities in support of IT category plans and in accordance with all policies and procedures.
The IT Category Manager will liaise with the Head of IT Procurement and Supply Chain on a regular basis to provide updates on category performance and provide additional insight through reporting and commentary as required. They will manage the relationship with suppliers and monitor supplier performance and interface with the Business to understand demand for and the impact of sourcing activities.

The key accountabilities of this job are:
Stakeholder Management
Work closely with internal and external stakeholders to ensure the development and delivery of category strategies are aligned with IT, corporate and business unit strategies and value drivers.
Develop and foster relationships with stakeholders, technical specialists, suppliers, collaborative bodies and marketplace forums.
Create an efficient interface for other departments to work effectively with the category team.
Drive consultation processes with stakeholders to ensure procurement activities mirror actual service requirements.
Operational Activity
Conduct IT category management in accordance with the overall procurement strategy, processes and procedures.
Ensure IT category management deliveries against targets and objectives (such as cost avoidance/reduction and total cost of ownership/quality improvements)
Periodically support the Procurement Officers during tender processes to ensure effective buying in accordance with sourcing strategies.
Coach all relevant parties on IT category management to build the capability and awareness within the organisation.
Proactive and effective support of the wider Procurement & Supply Chain (P&SC) team. Work closely with all P&SC colleagues to ensure they have clear priorities aligned with business objectives.
Market Analysis and Benchmarking
Maintain and lead an expert level of knowledge of the IT supply chain for assigned IT categories of spend to ensure there is a sustainable value driver for required categories.
To lead on continuous improvement activities in the following areas;
Developing routes to procurement based on market developments and changes to service requirements, develop clear service specification documents that enable best service provision fit.
Understand cost drivers and levers when reviewing or formulating specifications and make sure potential costs are fully Use knowledge to ensure correct supplier performance KPI’s are in place and monitored to maintain and improve supplier performance for each category and across the Group.
Category Spend Analysis
You will be responsible for analysing the spend per category to detail opportunities such as; savings, strategic importance to the organisation, level of risk or to simply identify any lack of compliance with the category plan.
Supplier Performance Metrics
You will be accountable for measuring, analysing and managing the supplier ability to comply with, and exceed, their contractual obligations. This will include regular reviews throughout the duration of contract delivery.
Reducing risk through implementation of contractual rigour, improving sustainability and facilitating the drive to improve the quality and reliability of the supply chain.
Compliance
Adhere to all Company policies and procedures and relevant laws and regulations.
Support external and internal audit activities as required, such as providing information as requested in a timely manner.
Maintain an effective control environment and respond to breaches/weaknesses appropriately in conjunction with Internal Audit.
Ensure that all category-related operational activity and documentation is captured and properly recorded. understood.