Senior Procurement Manager

Our client is looking to appoint a Senior Procurement Manager with a strong technology procurement background to join the Indirect Procurement function.

This is an opportunity for an experienced procurement professional to work closely with senior business leaders, influence commercial decisions and lead strategic sourcing initiatives across a broad range of indirect spend categories.

The successful candidate will be responsible for developing category strategies, managing complex sourcing projects and identifying opportunities to optimise third-party expenditure. The role requires strong commercial judgement, the ability to influence stakeholders at senior level and a practical approach to delivering measurable, sustainable results.

You will also play a role in improving procurement processes and decision-making through the use of market intelligence, data analytics and emerging AI capabilities.

Strategic Procurement and Stakeholder Management

• Partner with senior business leaders, including executive-level stakeholders, to align procurement strategies with business priorities.
• Provide commercial insight and recommendations to support effective management of third-party expenditure.
• Build strong relationships across business functions, developing an understanding of operational requirements, challenges and longer-term objectives.
• Challenge existing practices where appropriate, identifying opportunities to improve commercial outcomes, efficiency and ways of working.
• Influence sourcing and supplier decisions by balancing business requirements, financial objectives, commercial opportunities and risk.
• Work collaboratively with stakeholders to develop procurement strategies that support wider organisational goals.

Technology Procurement, Category Management and Strategic Sourcing

• Develop and implement category strategies across technology and wider indirect spend.
• Lead complex sourcing projects from initial opportunity assessment and market analysis through to tendering, negotiation, contracting, implementation and benefits tracking.
• Identify opportunities for cost savings, cost avoidance, supplier consolidation, improved commercial arrangements and risk mitigation.
• Lead cross-functional sourcing initiatives, working closely with IT, Finance, Legal and relevant business teams.
• Maintain an understanding of supplier markets, emerging technologies, industry developments and commercial trends to inform sourcing decisions.
• Develop category plans that deliver measurable outcomes and support both immediate business requirements and longer-term objectives.
• Monitor the effectiveness of sourcing strategies and ensure agreed benefits are tracked and sustained.

Data, Analytics and Procurement Transformation

• Use spend analysis, market intelligence and enterprise AI capabilities to identify opportunities and support evidence-based procurement decisions.
• Translate complex supplier, market and expenditure data into clear recommendations for senior stakeholders.
• Identify opportunities to simplify, automate and improve procurement processes through technology and new ways of working.
• Develop business cases demonstrating the financial and strategic benefits of procurement initiatives.
• Improve procurement reporting, processes and decision-making through the effective use of data and digital tools.
• Contribute to the development of a more efficient, scalable and data-driven procurement function.

Commercial Negotiations and Supplier Management

• Lead complex commercial negotiations to secure competitive pricing, favourable contractual terms and broader business value.
• Establish and maintain strategic supplier relationships, with a focus on performance, innovation, value, resilience and risk management.
• Identify opportunities to optimise supplier arrangements, improve performance and maximise value across the supply base.
• Work with Finance and business stakeholders to ensure savings and other procurement benefits are accurately measured, validated and maintained.
• Monitor supplier performance and proactively address commercial, contractual and operational risks.
• Evaluate sourcing decisions with consideration for total cost of ownership, business requirements and long-term supplier value.

Leadership and Continuous Improvement

• Lead cross-functional sourcing initiatives, ensuring clear objectives, accountability and effective delivery.
• Bring structure and commercial focus to complex projects, maintaining momentum and stakeholder engagement throughout the process.
• Share procurement expertise and commercial best practice, supporting the development of colleagues across the function.
• Promote continuous improvement across procurement processes, governance and supplier management.
• Contribute to wider procurement transformation initiatives and projects beyond individual category responsibilities.

Working Arrangements and Environment

The role operates on a hybrid basis, with two days per week on site. This provides a balance between in-person collaboration and remote working, while maintaining effective engagement with stakeholders across the business.

Our client values collaboration, inclusion and different perspectives. Candidates who meet many, but not necessarily all, of the criteria are encouraged to apply if they feel their experience is relevant to the opportunity.

About You

You will be an experienced procurement professional with a strong background in technology procurement, indirect spend and strategic sourcing. You will have the commercial judgement and stakeholder management skills required to lead complex initiatives and influence decisions at senior level.

You will also bring:

• Significant experience in indirect procurement, strategic sourcing and category management.
• A strong technology procurement background, with an understanding of technology supplier markets, commercial models and sourcing considerations.
• A proven track record of leading complex sourcing projects and commercial negotiations.
• Experience managing strategic supplier relationships and delivering measurable savings or wider commercial benefits.
• The ability to engage with and influence senior stakeholders, including executive-level decision-makers.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to use spend data and market intelligence to inform recommendations.
• An understanding of supplier risk, contractual considerations and opportunities to optimise third-party expenditure.
• An interest in procurement technology, data analytics and the practical application of AI to improve procurement effectiveness.
• A collaborative and results-oriented approach, with the ability to manage competing priorities in a complex business environment.