Job Role: IT Category Lead
Length: 6 months
Sector: Higher Education
Start: ASAP
Hybrid: 2 days in office per week
Hours: Full Time
Location: London

Job Purpose
A higher education client is looking for an Interim IT Category lead for 6 months to head up the category. This role is based in London with a non-negotiable hybrid model of 2 days per week in the office. I am looking for experienced IT Procurement professionals to lead this critical spending category within a complex, mufti-stakeholder institute. The role is ideal for someone who combines deep procurement expertise with strong relationship building skills and the ability to drive strategic and operational improvement.

Key Responsibilities
*Lead the IT procurement category, overseeing tendering, contract management and supplier performance.
*Act as a trusted advisor to senior leaders, shaping procurement strategy and ensuring value for money.
*Manage and deliver competitive sourcing activities across a range of IT goods and services.
*Develop and maintain strong internal stakeholder relationships across technical and non-technical teams.
*Ensure compliance with procurement legislation, internal policy, and best practice.
*Support organisational change initiatives and promote ethical, sustainable procurement.
*Review and negotiate contract terms, mitigating risk and securing commercial value.
*Contribute to policy development and continuous improvement across the wider procurement function.
*Line manage or mentor junior procurement colleagues where required.
What you’ll need to succeed


*Significant experience working as a procurement generalist in a complex or regulated environment (public sector, HE, healthcare, or similar desirable).
*Strong knowledge of UK public procurement regulations.
*Expertise in competitive tendering, category management and supplier negotiation.
*Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and lead category-wide initiatives.
*Excellent communication, analysis, and stakeholder management skills.
*Commercially astute with the ability to interpret data, challenge assumptions, and shape strategic decisions.
*Experience of operating under PA23 is desirable


What you need to do now
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