Procurement Category Manager (Technology)
Salary: £48,000 – £53,000 (+ Benefits)
Grade: P2
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full time, 35 hours per week
Location: Stratford, London. Office‑based with high flexibility (1–2 days per week in the office)
Visa sponsorship: Must be eligible to work in the UK. Cancer Research UK is not able to offer sponsorship.
Responsibilities
* Leading and managing procurement activities within the Technology department and Chief Operating Office (COO), ensuring value for money, compliance, and alignment with Cancer Research UK’s mission to beat cancer.
o This includes managed services, SaaS, cloud, and infrastructure technology.
* Developing and implementing category strategies aligned with organisational goals and procurement best practices.
* Leading end‑to‑end sourcing activities (including tenders, supplier evaluations, and contract negotiations).
* Collaborating with business stakeholders to become a trusted partner, leading to early engagement and raising the profile of the Procurement function.
* Maintaining status updates and reports for key procurement activities and contracts within the category of spend.
* Engaging stakeholders to identify opportunities for cost optimisation, innovation, and process improvements within the Technology and COO category.
* Delivering business objectives by providing competent, professional leadership across the contract management lifecycle.
o This includes contract tendering, renewals, performance reviews, and risk mitigation.
* Contributing to procurement transformation initiatives and cross‑functional projects.
* Building high‑functioning, trusting relationships with stakeholders to develop the organisation’s understanding of procurement and contract compliance.
* Promoting ethical sourcing, sustainability, and value for money in all procurement activities.
Qualifications and Skills
* Experienced Technology Category, Strategic Procurement, or Supplier Relationship Manager with a track record of operating in large, complex organisations.
* Experience supporting and/or managing the end‑to‑end IT procurement process and projects.
* Commercially minded with a successful track record of managing supplier relationships, drafting, negotiating, and managing high‑value supplier contracts and RFx.
* Builds strong, collaborative relationships across technology and professional services functions, with a clear focus on understanding and delivering for internal customers.
* A track record of managing multiple procurement projects simultaneously, balancing pace, quality, governance, and stakeholder expectations in a fast‑paced environment.
* Acts as a role model for procurement, promoting consistency and best practice across the organisation.
* A proactive, pragmatic, and solution‑focused approach to:
o Resolving challenges
o Continually improving processes
o Ensuring best practice and good governance are upheld
* Demonstrates curiosity and a proactive approach to learning, taking ownership of personal development and continuously seeking opportunities to build knowledge and capability.
Preferred Experience
* Ideally working towards, or having, a Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS) qualification.
* Experience of procurement within other COO professional services functions such as HR, Finance, or Legal.
* Experience in developing procurement strategy and category plans.
Benefits
We create a working environment that supports wellbeing and offer a generous benefits package, a wide range of career and personal development opportunities, high‑quality tools, and flexible work‑life balance to improve overall quality of life.
Equal Opportunities
We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures, particularly those from ethnic minority backgrounds currently under‑represented. We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusive recruitment.
Age Requirement
Recruitment is only available to individuals aged 18 or older.
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