Procurement Category Manager – Information Technology

Procurement Category Manager – FTC 12 Months

Bexhill or Leicester | Hybrid Working - flexibility depending on home location

Welcome to Hastings Direct

We’re a digital insurance provider with ambitious plans to become The Best and Biggest in the UK market. We’ve made huge investments in our data and tech capabilities over the past few years, along with nurturing our 4Cs culture. We’re proud of the journey we’re on as a company and know that our continued success will rely on the contribution of our talented colleagues.

We provide insurance for over four million customers, but we know there’s even bigger opportunity out there. The fact you’re now reading this job advert means we’ve tempted you to find out more about #lifeatHD – we really hope you like what you see, and you’ll join us to share in the success of the exciting chapter that lies ahead.

We understand some people may not apply for jobs unless they feel they tick every box. If you’re excited about joining us and think you have some of what we’re looking for, even if you’re not 100% sure we would love to hear from you.

Role overview  

As a Procurement Category Manager, you will operate across all levels of the organisation up to executive level whilst managing a supplier portfolio in excess of £60 million. You will lead the full end-to-end procurement lifecycle for your assigned initiatives, ensuring sourcing activity is efficient, transparent, and delivers maximum value for both internal colleagues and external suppliers. Your remit will span a broad range of IT categories, including software, applications, data, digital & change, infrastructure, IT security, cloud services, and specialist consultancy. You will play a key role in shaping sourcing strategies, optimising supplier performance, and supporting the business in making informed, commercially sound decisions.

Job details – you’ll need to have demonstrable experience in:  

• Creating and delivering ambitious Category Plans for IT, identifying opportunities to deliver savings, increase value, improve service outcomes and manage risk.

• Managing procurement end to end activities (tender/auction, negotiation, due diligence contract drafting and negotiation) through to completion.

• Building strong partnerships with key stakeholders in the business, ensuring early engagement, making the process easy for them with clear inputs, deliverables and acceptable turnaround times for completion of procurement activity. 

• Liaising with legal to support stakeholders in a smooth contracting process, with key clauses and outcomes clearly understood.

• Negotiating best commercial outcomes with suppliers which balance cost with service level, risk, tenure and alignment of long and short-term organisational goals

• Onboarding and implementing suppliers, ensuring a clear implementation plan is in place and track benefits where delivered.

Essential skills/experience:   

• Significant experience in an IT Category Management role

• CIPS qualified or working towards CIPS (preferred)

• Demonstrated track record of resolving complex commercial issues and driving negotiations to timely, detailed conclusions

•  Proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously and deliver effective outcomes

• Strong stakeholder management skills, with the confidence to present to and influence stakeholders at all levels

The interview process

Our interview process involves the below: 

• Recruiter screening call 

• 1st stage interview with hiring leader

• 2nd interview with hiring leader’s leader

As a Disability Confident employer, we’re committed to ensuring our recruitment processes are fully inclusive – what this means to you is if you’re applying for a job with us, you’ll have fair access to support and adjustments throughout your recruitment journey. We also welcome applications through the Disability Confident Scheme (DCS). For more information on the DCS, please visit our inclusive business page on our career’s website

Regrettably we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role.

Benefits: in addition to a competitive salary and £5k car allowance you will also receive…

Flexible working – we champion a flexible hybrid working approach – please speak to your recruiter to discuss in more detail

Competitive bonus scheme - all colleagues are eligible for our annual 4Cs performance bonus

Physical wellbeing – as a Band 4 colleague, Hastings pay for you to receive private medical Insurance (also known as PMI). This gives you flexibility and convenience to see a specialist or consultant and allows you to decide when and where you will be seen

Financial wellbeing – as well as providing you with 4x your salary with our life assurance cover, income protection at no extra cost, and matched pension contributions up to 10%, we are proud to provide you with an award-winning package which includes – discounts, cashback, free independent mortgage advice and free access to financial wellbeing support

Mental wellbeing programme – we have the thrive mental health app, our colleague assistance programme available 24/7, our own in-house mental health first aiders, support groups and a dedicated team to make sure we are covering your needs

There's more! – 27 days annual leave + bank holidays, with the option to buy or sell one of your weeks, access to our health care cash back plans, dental plans, discounted health assessments, Cycle to work and tech schemes, discounted and free onsite facilities, social events throughout the year and much more ….

Join us and you’ll find a different way of doing things. We call it the 4Cs. We focus on getting it right for our colleagues, customers, company and community. As one of our colleagues, you’ll be helping to drive our growth, so in return, we’ll give you all the support, training and development you need. Our 4Cs principles are simple: we believe by creating the right culture for our colleagues and giving them the right tools to do their job, we’ll deliver good outcomes for every customer, helping us to grow the company profitably and sustainably and allowing us to invest in the communities we serve.

Hastings Group is an equal opportunities employer which means we treat people fairly. We welcome applications from all suitably skilled persons regardless of their gender, age, race, disability, ethnic background, religion/belief, sexual orientation, gender reassignment or marital/family status. Please also note that we have a thorough referencing process, which includes credit and criminal record checks.

At Hastings Direct, we’re committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, we encourage you to be open with us. Our recruitment team is here to provide the support you need to ensure a fair and accessible experience for all.

Job posting end date: