Category Manager – Professional & Technology Services

Role Overview

• Develop and deliver category strategies across Professional Services and Technology.
• Identify savings opportunities through spend, demand and market analysis.
• Drive supplier consolidation and smarter sourcing approaches.
• Maintain clear roadmaps aligned to business priorities and value targets.
• Lead end-to-end sourcing (RFPs, negotiation, contracting and implementation).
• Design commercial models across services, SaaS, and cloud.
• Negotiate complex agreements (MSAs, SOWs, licensing and renewals).
• Deliver cost savings, risk reduction and commercial value.
• Partner with senior stakeholders to shape procurement strategies.
• Act as a trusted advisor on vendors, pricing models and risk trade-offs.
• Translate business needs into practical, commercial solutions.
• Influence decision-making and drive alignment across teams.
• Manage key supplier relationships and governance frameworks.
• Monitor performance across cost, quality and service delivery.
• Drive continuous improvement and value from supplier partnerships.
• Use insights to inform sourcing and renewal decisions.
• Identify and manage commercial and operational risks.
• Ensure compliance with procurement policies and governance.
• Partner with Legal, Risk and Technology teams on supplier controls.
• Proactively manage contract risks (renewals, pricing, scope).
• Deliver savings and track value outcomes transparently.
• Optimise spend across consulting and technology categories.
• Manage key cost drivers including rates, licences and consumption.
• Provide clear reporting on savings, performance and spend.

Requirements

• 5–10+ years’ experience in procurement, strategic sourcing or category management, with exposure across professional services (consulting, legal, HR) and technology procurement (SaaS, cloud, IT services).
• Proven track record leading complex sourcing initiatives, negotiations and supplier transitions, delivering savings, cost optimisation and risk reduction outcomes.
• Strong ability to manage and influence senior stakeholders within complex, matrixed environments, operating as a trusted commercial advisor.
• Deep understanding of IT commercial models, SaaS licensing, cloud pricing, and consulting engagement structures including rate benchmarking and SOW governance.
• Advanced capability in spend analysis, commercial modelling, sourcing tools and evaluating supplier proposals across commercial, technical and risk criteria.
• Strong problem-solving, negotiation and communication skills, with the ability to translate complex insights into clear, actionable outcomes.
• Solid financial acumen including cost modelling, total cost of ownership and benefits tracking, balancing cost, risk and service quality.
• Experience with key systems and tools including Microsoft Office, spend analytics platforms (e.g. Power BI), contract lifecycle management and e-procurement systems (e.g. Ariba, Coupa).

Tech Stack

• Cloud

Benefits

• Flexibility means trusting you to choose when, where, and how you work—balancing what’s best for you, your team, and your clients to grow and thrive together.
• Clear paths for career progression supported by continuous learning and leadership development.
• Generous leave entitlements to support your work-life balance
• including floating public holidays, birthday leave and ability to purchase additional leave on top of your four weeks.
• A world-class parental leave policy offering up to 26 weeks of leave for caregivers, supporting your family and personal life.