Job Location- Watford, UK Experience- 8 Years Position Overview The IT Procurement Software and Security Category Manager will be responsible for overseeing the procurement process of software and security solutions, ensuring the acquisition of high-quality, cost-effective products and services that align with the company's strategic goals. This role involves managing vendor relationships, negotiating contracts, and developing procurement strategies to meet the organization and end customer’s technological and security needs. Key Responsibilities Business Partnering Business partner with department heads and budget owners, becoming embedded within leadership teams. Support key business owners by providing education and managing key supply partner relationships. Advocate for the value of quality procurement and supplier partnerships. Leadership Establish a strategic sourcing methodology for Software and Security Category that aligns with HCLTech’s policies. Lead continuous improvement activities within IT procurement. Provide SME input to any Procurement Transformation program. Mentor junior members of the procurement team. Execution Deliver outstanding procurement benefits across cost, risk, quality, ESG, and innovation. Lead high-value supplier negotiations within the category space to deliver win-win outcomes. Act as a key escalation point for supplier performance management. Providing expertise in the information technology sourcing category, including market knowledge and sourcing best practices. Working with tactical buying team to manage renewal requirements. Providing day to day guidance as support to tactical buyers. Confidently and completely negotiating with vendors at a high level ensuring best value and quality of services are maintained. Working collaboratively with all internal stakeholders (IT, Finance, Legal and Service Owners, etc) Category Management Define and deliver Software and Security category plan and identify appropriate sourcing strategies which generate benefits and achieve financial savings whilst mitigating risk for HCLTech and its customers. Applying knowledge of Software and Security category to implement appropriate contractual safeguards, SLAs and other operational measures. Acting as liaison between HCLTech and our vendors ensuring requirements and concerns are fully understood and ensure these are fed back during appropriate stages to the vendors. Use expert knowledge of software and security categories to deliver substantial improvements in engagement, contracting, and management of partners. Embed a category management approach to procurement across IT categories. Applying knowledge of contractual terms and conditions ensuring commercially attractive terms are agreed and contract spend remains in budget while mitigating risks in such terms. Qualifications- Educational Background: Bachelor's degree in business, Information Technology, or a related field. Professional certifications in procurement or IT security are a plus. Experience: Minimum of 10 years of experience in IT procurement, with a focus on software and security solutions. Skills: Strong analytical, negotiation, and communication skills. Proficiency in procurement software and tools. Knowledge: Deep understanding of software and security technologies, market trends, and vendor landscape. Attributes: Detail-oriented, proactive, and able to work in a fast-paced environment. Strong problem-solving abilities and strategic thinking.