IT Category Manager

Location: Warrington (Hybrid Working)

Salary: up to £70,000 DOE + £5,000 Car Allowance + Bonus

Reed Procurement & Supply Chain are delighted to be recruiting on behalf of a leading UK organisation for an experienced IT Category Manager.

This position offers the opportunity to take ownership of a multi-million-pound IT and Technology category portfolio, driving commercial value, supplier innovation, risk mitigation, and long-term procurement strategy across a complex and evolving technology landscape.

The Role

As IT Category Manager, you will be responsible for developing and executing category strategies across a broad range of technology spend areas, including software, hardware, cloud services, telecommunications, managed services, cybersecurity, and digital transformation programmes.

This is a highly visible role requiring strong commercial acumen, stakeholder engagement skills, and the ability to influence decision-making at senior levels.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement category strategies aligned to organisational objectives and technology roadmaps
• Lead end-to-end strategic sourcing exercises including market analysis, supplier selection, tender management, negotiation, and contract award
• Manage complex IT procurement projects
• Deliver measurable cost savings, cost avoidance, value creation, and commercial benefits
• Build strong relationships with senior stakeholders to understand business requirements and develop procurement solutions
• Provide commercial leadership and procurement expertise for major transformation and change programmes
• Conduct detailed spend analysis, market intelligence reviews, supplier benchmarking, and category assessments to identify opportunities and risks
• Negotiate commercial agreements, licence models, service contracts, SaaS arrangements, and framework agreements
• Lead supplier relationship management activities
• Identify opportunities to consolidate suppliers, standardise services, and improve commercial efficiency
• Monitor industry trends, emerging technologies, licensing models, and market developments
• Manage procurement risks relating to supplier dependency, cyber security, business continuity, compliance, and contractual obligations
• Support contract lifecycle management, including renewals, renegotiations, and exit planning

About You

• Significant experience managing IT, Digital, Technology, or Telecoms categories
• Proven success developing and implementing category strategies within a complex organisation
• Strong background in strategic sourcing, supplier management, and contract negotiation
• Experience managing high-value procurement projects and commercial negotiations
• Excellent stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence and challenge senior leaders
• Degree qualification, MCIPS qualification, would be advantageous

Benefits

• Competitive salary
• £5,000 car allowance
• Performance-related bonus (up to 20%)
• High Employer pension contribution
• 26 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Healthcare and wellbeing benefits
• Hybrid working
• Career development opportunities

Apply Now

If you are an experienced IT Category Manager looking for an opportunity to influence strategic technology decisions, Reed would love to hear from you.

Submit your application today for a confidential discussion, or contact Adam Norris at Reed.