We’re looking for a Senior Category Lead (IT). Join us as a strategic partner in shaping technology procurement. You’ll provide expert guidance and challenge conventional thinking to drive smarter sourcing decisions. Working closely with senior stakeholders, you’ll drive innovative strategies, mitigate risk, and unlock cost efficiencies through data-driven insights and supplier collaboration.
Who Are We?Not just another building society. Not just another job.
We're the fourth biggest building society in the UK and what makes us a bit different is that we're a mutual organisation. We don't have shareholders; we're owned by our members.
Our colleagues say Skipton's a great place to work, and you could be one of them, bringing with you new ideas on how we can keep customers at the heart of what we do.
Whatever your background, and whatever your goals, we'll help you take the next step towards a better future.
The TeamYou’ll join our Group Procurement and Supplier Management team, working across the wider Group. This is a strategic role where you’ll influence decisions, shape sourcing strategies, and champion procurement excellence. Some travel to other Group companies may be required.
What Will You Be Doing?As Senior Category Lead (IT), you’ll lead strategic procurement initiatives within the Technology, Transformation & Resilience category. Your responsibilities will include:
- Develop and execute the IT category plan, ensuring alignment with organisational goals.
- Act as a strategic advisor and critical friend to senior stakeholders, constructively challenging decisions and shaping sourcing strategies.
- Lead negotiations beyond standard contracts, assessing whether providers are the right strategic fit and driving value through innovative solutions.
- Deliver measurable cost savings, with a clear approach to tracking and reporting benefits.
- Coach and support two Category Leads (dotted reporting lines) to build capability and support a high-performing team culture.
- Promote best practice across the business, supporting and challenging colleagues to achieve optimal outcomes.
- Manage risk and compliance throughout the procurement process, maintaining full audit trails.
- Drive supplier innovation and performance, leveraging continuous improvement frameworks.
- Stay ahead of market trends, regulatory changes, and emerging technologies, including AI and SaaS arrangements.
- Use data-driven decision making to inform strategies and measure impact.
- Deputise for the Head of Group Procurement when required, including governance committees and major incident response.
To be successful in this role you will need:
- Previous experience operating in a similar senior IT procurement role.
- Strong track record in IT procurement within a regulated industry – financial services experience strongly preferred.
- Strategic leadership and influencing skills with senior stakeholders.
- Deep understanding of IT procurement trends, cybersecurity, cloud services, AI, SaaS, and regulatory frameworks (EBA Outsourcing, GDPR, ESG).
- Proven ability to deliver cost savings and demonstrate measurable outcomes.
- Degree and/or MCIPS qualification (or equivalent).
- Ability to manage complex tenders, supplier relationships, and deliver data-driven decisions.
Skipton values work/life balance and we are proud to support hybrid and flexible working, where possible. We have a newly refurbished head office which offers a vibrant and collaborative working space.
We have a range of other benefits available to you including;
- Annual discretionary bonus scheme
- 25 days standard annual leave + bank holidays + rising 1 day per year of service to a maximum of 30 days
- Holiday trading scheme allowing the ability to buy and sell additional annual leave days
- Matching employer pension contribution (up to 10% per annum)
- Colleague mortgage (conditions apply)
- Salary sacrifice scheme for hybrid & electric car
- A commitment to training and development
- Private medical insurance for all our colleagues
- 3 paid volunteering days per annum
- Diverse and inclusive colleague networks available for you to join including our Carers and Pride Alliance groups
- We care about your health and wellbeing – we provide a range of benefits that support this including cycle to work initiative and discounted gym membership
We know you may be keen to apply ahead of the deadline, and that’s great. However, due to the Christmas period, all applications will be reviewed in January, so please don’t expect an outcome before then. Thank you for your patience.
Top Skills
What We Do
Not just another building society. Not just another job.
Imagine how good it would feel to help someone choose the mortgage they’ll use to buy their first home. Or the account they’ll use to save for it. We’ve been helping people make big financial decisions since 1853. It’s why over a million customers trust us as a good place for their money, and why our colleagues say we’re a good place to work.
The Bailey (our head office)
The Bailey is the vibrant hub where you’ll find all our central functions. We’re always looking for new talent because we love hearing new ideas. You can choose from a variety of roles that range from marketing and IT, through to audit, risk, products, digital and more – or maybe you’ll join our lively contact centre team. We’re based in Skipton, just a short train ride from Bradford and Leeds, we’re a stone’s throw from the A65 and have some cracking views of the Yorkshire Dales.
Our network of UK branches
Our branch colleagues are the face of Skipton Building Society. They’re relationship-builders, team workers, great talkers and they’re brilliant at listening too. Everything they do is designed to help customers make the best financial decisions, whether that’s choosing the right kind of savings account or having a full financial review.
The Skipton culture
Happy colleagues mean happy customers. So, when we recruit, we don’t just think about what’s in it for us, we think about what’s in it for you. It’s one of the reasons we’ve been recognised as one of The Times Best Companies to Work for the last 6 years.
Mind, body and spirit
With our colleagues’ support, we’ve created a culture that promotes diversity and inclusion. We understand the rich diversity in our Society, and how harnessing that diversity through effective inclusive practice has profound benefits for individuals, teams and the Society it self. This includes a progressive approach to personal well-being.
