Category Manager - Hardware and Infrastructure

Description

• Define purchasing recommendations that support business goals, in collaboration with management and stakeholders
• Effectively communicate procurement strategies to team members and stakeholders in a timely and clear way
• Manage escalated issues between vendor and the company and coordinate key mitigation actions
• Develop and deliver purchasing and inventory reports, bid proposals, requirements documentation, and tender documents
• Negotiate pricing, terms and conditions of contracts with contractors and/or service providers
• Where possible, standardise equipment to lower total costs
• Direct and manage sourcing strategies from beginning to end
• Establish and maintain regular written and in-person communications with the organisation’s executives, department heads, and end users regarding pertinent sourcing activities
• Comply with all IT purchasing policies and procedures, including those for equipment, hardware, software, and service provision, in conjunction with department leads and department-specific requirements
• Monitor vendor, service provider, outsourcer, and/or contractor performance to ensure quality of service
• Provide periodic oversight and execution of vendor requalification
• Monitor and analyse trends in company spending and inventory control to make recommendations for the future, and to identify areas for savings
• Negotiate pricing, terms and conditions of sale, and warranties of goods and products with key suppliers and vendors
• Analyse market trends and conditions for present and future pricing, availability, lead-time, and capacity of goods and services
• Interview, identify, and qualify potential new vendors or suppliers to secure more cost-effective sources of products and services
• Develop, establish, implement, and enforce supplier and outsourcer guidelines, obligations, and service level agreements to the organisation
• Review and maintain the global supplier/contract base for the IT category, and update annual IT category plans to re-tender, consolidate, expand or change suppliers, as appropriate to leverage optimum service and value

Requirements

• Experience working in an environment where customer needs are variable
• Experience working under category management-based approaches
• Logical and analytical approach to solving problems
• Experience of implementing procurement policy, procedures, and governance
• Experience operating at both a tactical and strategic level with a track record of success in delivering financial savings
• Ability to balance demands and priorities and think clearly under pressure
• Working knowledge of the Category Management process MCIPs qualified or willing to work towards a CIPS qualification
• Experience / Knowledge of category, supplier, and contract management
• Experience running end-to-end RFPs for senior stakeholders
• Experience of procuring and negotiating contracts
• Excellent conflict resolution, communication, and collaboration skills
• Experience in achieving financial savings through supplier negotiation
• Experience tendering and managing contracts over £1m
• Attention to detail and a focus on quality
• Experience implementing best practice contract and supplier management

Benefits

• We match employee pension contributions between 4.5% and 7%.
• Up to five additional days leave are provided for those with significant caring responsibilities, two of which are paid.
• Holiday entitlement increased to a minimum of 35 days after 5 years’ service.
• As an independently owned business we share the financial success of the business with all our colleagues in various ways including annual bonus schemes.
• Variety of employee saving schemes and discounts from high-street retailers.
• Our income protection scheme provides a financial benefit, as well as absence and return to work support due to long-term illness or injury.
• Access to Peppy, providing free support from menopause experts for all UK colleagues.
• A broad range of opportunities to enhance both technical and soft skills through mentoring, formal training, and self-development options.
• A variety of wellbeing support is available through our comprehensive wellbeing program, including access for you and your family.
• Our shared parental leave matches maternity leave meaning we pay up to 24 weeks at full pay.
• Primary annual professional institution subscription.
• Life assurance equal up to 4 x your basic salary, with an option to increase the level of cover to 6 x your salary.
• Ability to flex your salary to opt into a wide range of health benefits, many of which can be extended to your family too.
• Flexible benefits, including increased life assurance cover, critical illness insurance, payroll saving and will writing.
• A minimum of 33-35 days holiday each year, inclusive of public holidays and dependent on level, with the ability to buy or sell leave through our flexible benefits programme.
• Private medical insurance for all UK colleagues.
• Enhanced family leave policies, including 26 weeks paid maternity and adoption leave, and two weeks paid paternity/partner leave.
• Health cash plan to support you with every day health costs and treatments.

Training + Development

Interview process

Visa Sponsorship

Security clearance