Global Category Leader, IT Software

Life. Unlimited. At Smith+Nephew we design and manufacture technology that takes the limits off living. Join Smith+Nephew's Global Indirect Procurement organisation as the Global Category Leader
- Digital, Software & AI Procurement, leading one of the company's most strategic spend portfolios at a time of unprecedented technology and AI-driven change.

This role is responsible for defining and executing Smith+Nephew's global software procurement strategy across enterprise applications, SaaS, digital platforms and emerging AI-enabled technologies. You will act as a trusted commercial partner to IT, Digital and business leaders, helping the organisation maximise value from software investments while balancing innovation, risk, governance and speed.

This is not a traditional sourcing role. We are looking for a strategic category leader who can shape supplier strategy, influence technology investment decisions, drive commercial value, build organisational capability and position Procurement as a strategic enabler of Smith+Nephew's RISE ambition. In addition to leading the Software category, the role will act as Procurement's AI Champion, helping category teams navigate the commercial, contractual, governance and risk implications of AI as it becomes increasingly embedded within products, services and supplier solutions across the enterprise.

As an M2 leader, you will lead through others—coaching and developing category managers, setting high standards for execution, and creating the conditions for sustained performance, innovation and continuous improvement.

What will you be doing?

Category Strategy & Value Creation Define and execute the global software category strategy, aligned to business priorities, digital transformation objectives and the RISE strategy.

Build and manage a multi-year value pipeline across cost optimisation, software rationalisation, demand management, risk reduction and innovation.

Use market intelligence, supplier insights and benchmarking to shape strategic decisions and identify new opportunities.

Act as Procurement's AI Champion for AI-enabled software and emerging technologies, providing leadership, guidance and governance support to category teams as AI becomes increasingly embedded within supplier solutions, products and services across the enterprise.

Strategic Business Partnering Serve as a trusted commercial advisor to IT, Digital, Data & Analytics, Cybersecurity, Finance, Legal and business stakeholders.

Influence software investment decisions through insight, structured challenge and commercial expertise.

Ensure Procurement is engaged early in planning and technology decision-making processes.

Identify and execute initiatives for cross-category IT-related optimisation and consolidation.

Commercial Excellence & Supplier Leadership Lead complex negotiations with strategic software suppliers and oversee major commercial agreements.

Drive effective supplier relationship management to improve performance, innovation, risk management and business outcomes.

Establish commercial approaches that balance flexibility, scalability, value delivery and enterprise risk.

AI, Digital & Software Governance Help shape Smith+Nephew's approach to procuring and managing AI-enabled software and emerging technologies.

Ensure appropriate governance around software licensing, data rights, AI-related contractual considerations, cybersecurity and compliance requirements.

Promote data-driven decision-making and adoption of AI-enabled procurement tools and ways of working.

People Leadership & Capability Building Lead, coach and develop a high-performing software procurement team.

Build capability in category management, stakeholder engagement, negotiation, commercial strategy and AI-enabled procurement.

Foster a culture of accountability, curiosity, continuous improvement and collaboration.

Drive AI capability development across the wider procurement organisation through coaching, training, knowledge sharing and practical application of AI-enabled procurement techniques.

Support category teams in assessing the impact of AI on supplier markets, commercial models, contracting approaches, governance requirements,…