IT Category Manager

Overview

We’re Kingfisher, a team of over 74,000 people with brands including B&Q, Screwfix, Brico Depot, Castorama and Koctas. We aim to be the leading home improvement company and to grow the largest community of home improvers in the world. We are committed to equality and inclusivity for colleagues, future colleagues, and applicants, regardless of age, gender, marital or civil partnership status, colour, ethnic or national origin, culture, religious belief, political opinion, disability, gender identity or sexual orientation.

We are open to flexible and agile working, with a blend of working from home and our offices in London, Southampton & Yeovil. Talk to us about how we can best support you.

As an IT Category Manager you will be accountable for the delivery of commercial excellence, responsive to customers’ needs and evolving demands. This includes strategy development, procurement and vendor management, creation and execution of IT sourcing strategy in support of Group/Banner Technology strategy and objectives.

• Sourcing strategy development
• Leading role in the IT sourcing strategy development process to consider changes in Business and IT Strategy, new technologies, market solutions and delivery mechanisms, and vendor strategies
• Gains agreement to and implements sourcing strategy for designated IT Categories
• Category management of designated IT categories
• Serve as expert for nominated category and be the go-to person for market and sourcing trends
• Develop and implement category plans aligned with Kingfisher, Group tech, and local banner strategies
• Lead evaluation and decision process for supplier selection in accordance with company policies
• Ensure Group scale is leveraged through close communication with the wider Procurement team, IT and business stakeholders
• Negotiate contract renewals and lead RFP processes
• Identify cost reduction opportunities and coordinate internal and external benchmarks
• Build strong relationships with IT and business stakeholders to ensure demand understanding and informed procurement decisions
• Framework Agreements in place and up to date with designated HW, SW and services suppliers
• Vendor Management of designated strategic vendors
• Manage nominated vendors per the Vendor Relationship Management governance process
• Lead joint account planning with vendor and internal stakeholders to identify value growth and deliver opportunities
• Ensure commercial and contract performance; support issue resolution and escalations

• Experienced category manager with IT procurement experience
• Evidence of Procurement thought leadership and best practice in similar organisations
• Good coaching and interpersonal skills; ability to influence and exercise control
• Experience managing a category internationally across multiple banners
• Strong stakeholder management; credibility with senior IT and business colleagues
• Team player with excellent listening and communication skills
• Excellent planning and organisational skills
• Contract literate: able to lead contracting process and understand contract requirements

• I listen to my customers
• I use available data to help make decisions

• I do the right thing

• I build and share new ideas
• I try new things and share my learnings

• I have courage to be creative
• Done is better than perfect; I aim for 80/20

• I embrace allyship
• I have self-awareness and a desire to learn

• I own my actions
• I understand the Kingfisher plan and how it relates to my role

At Kingfisher, we value the perspectives that new team members bring, and we invite you to apply even if you do not meet 100% of the requirements. We offer an inclusive environment that encourages new ideas and experimentation, and we strive to help everyone be their best self. Find out more about Diversity & Inclusion at Kingfisher here!

We also offer a competitive benefits package and opportunities to grow your career.

• Private Health Care – AXA, up to family level cover; join within three months or at annual renewal in April
• Kingfisher Pension Scheme – auto-enrolment; 8% employee contribution to receive up to 14%…