IT Category Manager

Job Description:

IT Category Manager Hybrid working Salford Quays Manchester, Kirkstall Forge Leeds or Angel Court, London Salary £51,800 - £64,700 per annum Fixed Term Contract - 12 Months Full time 37.5 hours per week

Working in our UK support functions you'll play a key part in helping our customer facing colleagues deliver exceptional standards of customer service and patient care. No matter your role, you'll have an opportunity to do work that matters. Making a difference to the lives of our customers each and every day.

As our IT Category Manager you'll play a pivotal role in supporting the UK Procurement vision to lead the delivery of the market strategy, governance, and policies, delivering significant value through market specific strategic sourcing initiatives and supplier relationship management.

We're looking for a well rounded IT Category Manager who can bring their commercial acumen to the fore. Covering Business software licencing, networks, telecoms, end user computing, hosting & IT security you'll be responsible for developing, implementing and delivering the category strategy for this area of spend.

The Category Manager is accountable for their specific category, with responsibility for total UK expenditure in their area to ensure products and services are sourced competitively and cost effectively in order to meet and enhance the businesses' requirements.

The job holder will be accountable for identifying and delivering multiple cost saving initiatives in order to achieve individual and Department targets.

The role requires the individual to lead supplier selection and qualification and manage relationships with key suppliers using contemporary supplier relationship management techniques (including supplier development and measurement).

In addition, the job holder will:

• Develop and maintain a comprehensive category plan which has a clear savings/opportunity pipeline.
• Establish category prioritises based on benefits and opportunities and business requirements
• Understand the strategic intent of the Bupa UK (and other Market Units as required) and the Business Units within it to ensure that Category plans and implementation are aligned with organisational goals
• Develop and manage a category risk plan in agreement with the Business to mitigate Bupa's exposure to supply chain risks within the categories under their management.
• Actively sets, leads and drives the timeline for sourcing initiatives
• Lead contract negotiations on behalf of the organisation and develop negotiation plans
• Act as the Procurement lead for Category Board identified projects, attending board meetings as required
• Ensures the strategic sourcing activities are aligned with global strategies
• Act as an escalation point for Category Specialists and where appropriate directing their activities with assistance from the Head of Procurement.
• Develops and maintains a category plan for their respective area of spend
  responsibility
• Brings innovation to the team and to the organisation and maximises total cost of ownership savings through continuous improvement initiatives
• Interfacing with internal customers to ensure requirements are delivered, performance tracked and operational efficiencies are maximised
• Utilises the Bupa Corporate and Bupa UK best practice processes and supporting technologies
• Actively inputs into Bupa UK procurement strategy, governance and policy improvement plans
• Actively participates in Team and Department meetings and events and is responsible for communicating and advocating procurement throughout the organisation.

• Graduate Degree (e.g. BA, BSc, MEng) or higher (e.g. MA)
• MCIPS or equivalent professional qualification
• Evidence of continued professional development
• Category management experience and expertise in a related industry
• Proven evidence of sourcing similar products and services
• Proven ability and experience of delivering savings through driving strategic category planning
• Experienced negotiator who is proficient at drawing upon and developing fact based negotiation plans and operating at a senior level
• Indust…