Manager IT and Digital Category

Objective:

Lead and manage the IT procurement category, developing and implementing a comprehensive category management strategy that delivers optimal value, cost efficiency, innovation, supplier performance, and risk management.

The role is responsible for establishing a strategic approach to IT sourcing and supplier relationship management, ensuring that procurement activities are aligned with the Department's business objectives, technology strategy, procurement policy, and long-term digital transformation priorities.

The position will provide strategic procurement leadership across the IT category, leveraging strong category management expertise, commercial acumen, supplier market knowledge, and a sound understanding of IT products, services, technologies, and market dynamics.

Essential Duties

• Develop, implement, and continuously update the IT Category Strategy and Category Plan, aligned with the Department's Procurement Plan and business priorities.
• Lead the end-to-end category management lifecycle for IT spend, including spend analysis, demand management, market analysis, sourcing strategy, supplier segmentation, contract strategy, and performance management.
• Analyze historical and projected IT spend to identify cost-saving, cost-avoidance, consolidation, standardization, and value-creation opportunities.
• Develop strategic sourcing strategies for IT products and services, including software, hardware, cloud services, IT infrastructure, cybersecurity, telecommunications, professional services, managed services, and emerging technologies.
• Establish and maintain a strong understanding of the IT supplier market, technology trends, commercial models, pricing structures, and emerging solutions.
• Lead strategic negotiations with key IT suppliers to achieve optimal commercial terms, service levels, contractual protections, and long-term value.
• Establish and maintain effective Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) frameworks for strategic and critical IT suppliers.
• Monitor and evaluate supplier performance against contractual KPIs, SLAs, quality standards, delivery commitments, and commercial obligations.
• Develop supplier performance improvement plans and lead corrective actions where required.
• Identify opportunities to consolidate suppliers, leverage enterprise-wide spend, establish preferred suppliers, and optimize the Department's IT supplier portfolio.
• Partner with IT stakeholders to understand business requirements, challenge demand where appropriate, and identify commercially and technically viable procurement solutions.
• Provide procurement leadership and commercial advice for major IT projects, digital transformation initiatives, technology implementations, and strategic technology investments.
• Ensure sourcing and category management activities comply with applicable procurement policies, procedures, Delegation of Authority, governance requirements, and applicable regulations.
• Lead and oversee complex RFPs, tenders, RFQs, negotiations, and strategic sourcing exercises within the IT category.
• Develop business cases and commercial recommendations for strategic sourcing decisions, supplier selection, contract renewals, and major procurement initiatives.
• Monitor IT market developments and benchmark pricing, commercial models, and supplier practices to identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Establish category-level KPIs and dashboards covering savings, spend, supplier performance, competition, contract coverage, sourcing effectiveness, and value delivered.
• Identify and proactively manage commercial, supplier, operational, technology, and supply-chain risks within the IT category.
• Support the development and implementation of procurement digitalization, automation, and data-driven procurement initiatives.
• Promote innovation through engagement with the IT supplier market and identification of new technologies, solutions, and alternative commercial models.
• Provide regular management reports and strategic insights on IT procurement performance, risks, opportunities, and priorities.

Experience and Qualifications

• 10+ years of relevant professional experience in procurement, strategic sourcing, supply chain, or category management, preferably within a large organization or government environment.
• Significant experience in IT Category Management, with demonstrable responsibility for developing and implementing IT category strategies.
• Strong experience managing complex IT procurement portfolios and high-value strategic sourcing initiatives.
• Demonstrated experience in IT supplier relationship management, including strategic supplier segmentation, performance management, negotiations, and supplier development.
• Proven track record of delivering measurable cost savings, cost avoidance, value optimization, and commercial improvements.
• Strong experience in strategic negotiations and complex commercial arrangements with major technology suppliers.
• Experience working closely with CIO/IT leadership, technology teams, Finance, Legal, and other senior stakeholders.
• Experience in developing and implementing category plans based on spend analysis, market intelligence, demand analysis, and supplier assessment.
• Experience managing complex RFPs, tenders, framework agreements, managed services, software licensing, cloud services, technology consulting, and/or IT infrastructure procurement.
• Experience managing strategic suppliers and resolving complex commercial and performance issues.
• Experience in a government, semi-government, or large enterprise environment is highly desirable.
• Demonstrated experience leading cross-functional teams and strategic procurement initiatives.
• Proven ability to operate at a senior level and provide credible commercial and strategic advice to senior management.
• Bachelor's degree in Procurement, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Finance, Information Technology, Computer Science, or a related discipline.
• A relevant professional procurement or supply chain qualification is preferred, such as CIPS or equivalent.
• Professional certification in IT, technology, or related areas would be an advantage.
• Relevant qualifications in contract management, strategic sourcing, supplier relationship management, or category management would be advantageous.