Interim Category Manager (ICT)

Role: Category Manager (ICT)
Location: South West (regional remit)
Hybrid: Yes - though mostly remote
Day rate: £250-330pd (inside IR35)

Introduction

This is an excellent senior procurement role that sits within a regional shared procurement service, operating on behalf of multiple public sector organisations across the South West. The role leads a complex, high value category portfolio and plays a key part in shaping regional and national collaboration. It offers genuine strategic influence, senior stakeholder exposure, and responsibility for delivering best value across a politically and commercially complex environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver category strategy on behalf of multiple public sector organisations, driving collaboration, innovation and best value
• Provide expert commercial, category and procurement advice, applying public procurement law within a complex political, economic and legislative landscape
• Lead complex, high value and high risk procurements end to end, including sourcing strategy, commercial models, evaluation and contract award
• Manage and influence multi-organisation contractual and stakeholder relationships at senior level
• Represent the shared procurement service on regional and national strategic and operational delivery groups
• Line manage and develop senior procurement professionals, embedding a strong learning, performance and quality culture
• Own category strategies, savings targets and performance outcomes, ensuring compliance and continuous improvement
• Drive supplier performance management, insight and data-led decision making across the category portfolio
• Challenge existing approaches and ways of working where improvements to value, performance or outcomes can be achieved

Requirements

• Senior commercial experience, with strong knowledge of public sector procurement
• Strong background in category management and strategic sourcing - ICT especially of interest
• Demonstrable experience leading, developing and motivating high performing teams
• Excellent stakeholder management, negotiation and influencing skills
• Project or programme management qualifications such as PRINCE2 or MSP desirable