IT Category Manager

Rate: £450 per day (inside IR35)

Location: Midlands (hybrid working)

Duration: Initial 6-month contract

About the role

We are seeking an experienced IT Category Manager to lead the strategic management of ICT spend, suppliers, and contracts across a large public sector organisation.This is a high-impact commercial role supporting a broad digital and transformation portfolio. You will take ownership of defined ICT categories, running end-to-end procurement and tendering exercises, shaping category strategies, and ensuring suppliers deliver strong performance, value for money, and commercial assurance.Working closely with ICT, finance, legal, and operational stakeholders, you will act as a trusted commercial partner and subject-matter expert on IT category management, embedding best practice procurement and contract governance in line with the Procurement Act 2023.

Key responsibilities

As IT Category Manager, you will:

• Lead end-to-end ICT tendering and procurement activity, from market engagement and sourcing strategy through to evaluation, award, and mobilisation
• Own and manage the full lifecycle of ICT contracts, including negotiation, performance management, renewals, variations, and exit planning.
• Provide strategic leadership for vendor, supplier, and contract management across ICT Services
• Ensure compliance with procurement legislation, internal governance, and standing orders, including use of e-procurement systems
• Monitor and report on supplier performance, KPIs, SLAs, risks, and commercial outcomes
• Support Contract Owners in managing supplier relationships and driving continuous improvement.
• Contribute to and, where appropriate, chair ICT procurement and vendor governance boards and forums
• Identify opportunities for cost optimisation, risk mitigation, and improved commercial outcomes across IT categories
• Maintain accurate contract and supplier records and promote strong commercial awareness across ICT

About you

You will be a commercially focused IT category, procurement, or contract management professional with a strong track record of delivering complex ICT procurements and managing strategic supplier relationships in a regulated environment.You will bring:

• Significant experience in IT category management, ICT procurement, or vendor and contract management
• Proven experience delivering full lifecycle tenders, including market engagement, evaluation, negotiation, and award
• Strong knowledge of public sector procurement legislation, including the Procurement Act 2023
• Experience managing ICT contracts across a range of commercial models (e.g. SaaS, cloud, managed services)
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication, and negotiation skills
• Strong analytical capability and confidence interpreting commercial and performance data

What you need to do now
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