Hays
Senior Procurement Category Manager, Business Software
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Senior Category Manager - Corporate & Business Software
£90,000 - £102,000 per annum + discretionary bonus
3 days in London Office
Your new company
A leading global financial services and technology organisation is continuing to invest heavily across its technology and procurement functions as part of a wider transformation programme. Operating across multiple international markets, the business manages a complex technology estate and partners with many of the world's largest software providers to support critical business operations and strategic transformation initiatives.
Procurement is a highly regarded function within the organisation, recognised by senior leadership for the value it delivers across the business. The team works closely with technology, finance, legal, and executive stakeholders to influence key investment decisions, manage supplier risk, and deliver commercial outcomes across a global environment.
Your new role
Joining the Technology Procurement team, you will take ownership of a strategic Corporate & Business Software category, supporting a broad range of business functions including Finance, Risk, Legal, Human Resources, Marketing, Communications, and Sales. This is a highly visible leadership role, responsible for defining category strategy across a significant supplier portfolio, which includes some of the world's leading enterprise software providers. You'll work closely with business leaders, technology stakeholders, and procurement colleagues to support major transformation programmes, commercial initiatives, and long-term technology objectives.
You will lead sourcing activity, supplier strategy, and complex commercial negotiations across software, SaaS, and related technology services, managing high-value agreements, renewals, and contractual arrangements whilst ensuring appropriate commercial and risk protections are in place. The role will involve partnering extensively with legal, finance, vendor management, and technology teams throughout the procurement life cycle.
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In addition to category ownership, you will have responsibility for leading and developing a small team, providing direction, coaching, and support to Category Managers and procurement professionals. You'll play a key role in prioritising activity, driving value delivery, and ensuring category plans align with wider business and technology objectives.
This is an excellent opportunity for someone looking to combine strategic category leadership, stakeholder engagement, and people management within a globally recognised organisation undertaking significant technology investment and change.
What you'll need to succeed
You will bring strong experience within Technology Procurement, Software Category Management, or Strategic Sourcing, with a demonstrable track record of developing category strategies, negotiating complex software agreements, and managing strategic supplier relationships.
Experience working with major enterprise software providers such as Oracle, Salesforce, Workday, ServiceNow, SAP, Microsoft, or similar vendors will be highly beneficial. Exposure to software licencing, SaaS agreements, contract negotiations, commercial optimisation programmes, and supplier governance activities will be particularly relevant.
You'll be comfortable operating within a large and complex environment, balancing the requirements of multiple stakeholder groups whilst supporting organisation-wide objectives. Previous experience managing or mentoring procurement professionals would be advantageous, although candidates with strong leadership potential are also encouraged to apply.
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Just as importantly, you'll be able to communicate complex commercial situations in a clear, concise, and structured manner. The successful candidate will be confident presenting recommendations, influencing senior stakeholders, and articulating the value delivered through category strategies, sourcing activity, and commercial negotiations. Candidates who can demonstrate strong stakeholder engagement skills alongside tangible commercial achievements are likely to be particularly successful.
What you'll get in return
In return, you'll join a globally recognised organisation undertaking significant investment and transformation across its technology landscape. You'll have the opportunity to lead strategy and negotiations with some of the world's largest software providers, manage and develop a procurement team, partner with senior stakeholders across multiple business functions, and contribute directly to strategic technology investment decisions.
The role offers a competitive salary, bonus, and comprehensive benefits package alongside a hybrid working model of three days per week in the London office. You'll also benefit from strong long-term career development opportunities within an increasingly influential procurement function operating on a global scale.
What you need to do now
If you're interested in this role, please contact me directly via email at or apply now for a confidential discussion.
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