Senior Category Manager

A unique opportunity has arisen to join a rapidly evolving international organisation as it continues to invest in and mature its procurement capability.

This is not a traditional procurement role. The organisation is undergoing a significant transformation programme and is seeking an ambitious procurement professional who is ready to take on broader responsibility, influence senior stakeholders, and play a key role in shaping procurement’s future direction within the business.

Reporting into the Head of Procurement, you will take ownership of a diverse portfolio of operational and technology-related spend, partnering with stakeholders across multiple countries and business functions. You will operate in a highly visible position, helping to drive commercial value, supplier innovation, governance, and strategic sourcing initiatives across the organisation.

This opportunity would particularly suit someone looking to step up into a broader role where they can combine hands-on sourcing delivery with strategic procurement leadership.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute category strategies across a range of indirect spend areas, including technology, digital services, professional services and operational spend.
• Lead complex end-to-end sourcing and procurement projects from opportunity identification through to contract award and supplier implementation.
• Partner with senior stakeholders across Technology, Operations, Finance and the wider business to understand priorities and align procurement strategies accordingly.
• Evaluate existing supplier arrangements and identify opportunities to optimise cost, improve service levels and reduce risk.
• Drive commercial negotiations with strategic suppliers and support contract lifecycle management activities.
• Contribute to the development of procurement governance, supplier management frameworks and best practice processes.
• Support business transformation initiatives, ensuring procurement is viewed as a value-adding partner rather than a transactional function.
• Identify and deliver cost reduction, efficiency and value creation opportunities through innovative sourcing solutions.
• Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders and suppliers to drive collaboration and long-term commercial success.
• Provide market intelligence and commercial insights to support business decision-making.

About You

We are looking for an individual who combines strong procurement expertise with outstanding stakeholder engagement skills.

You will likely possess:

• Years procurement, sourcing or category management experience.
• Experience managing technology, digital, marketing, data, research, software, telecommunications or broader indirect spend categories.
• Strong strategic sourcing and commercial negotiation capabilities.
• A track record of delivering measurable business value and procurement-led transformation initiatives.
• Excellent stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence senior business leaders.
• Experience operating within complex, international or matrix organisations.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capability.
• A proactive, self-starting approach with the ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• The confidence to challenge constructively while building credibility and trust across the business.

Why Join?

• Opportunity to join a growing and evolving procurement function at a pivotal stage of its journey.
• Significant visibility and exposure to senior leadership.
• Broad scope and autonomy with genuine ownership of spend and supplier strategy.
• A collaborative, entrepreneurial culture where ideas and initiative are encouraged.
• Clear opportunity for professional growth and career progression.
• Exposure to transformation, change and high-impact business initiatives.

If you’re looking for a role where you can make a tangible impact, work closely with senior stakeholders and help shape the future of procurement within a dynamic organisation, I’d be delighted to speak with you.

For a confidential discussion, please get in touch.