Senior Procurement Specialist (Category Head - Technology)

The Senior Procurement Specialist (Category Head - Technology) leads and manages a team of Category Managers and Analysts to develop and implement category strategies for IT and technology-related products and services. The role provides strategic leadership, governance, and oversight across multiple procurement categories, ensuring effective stakeholder engagement and team development to deliver value, reduce risk, and support organizational objectives.

Responsibilities

• Develop and oversee the implementation of category strategies across assigned spend categories.
• Identify opportunities for cost optimization, value creation, demand management, and process improvement.
• Drive a category management approach focusing on total cost of ownership, supplier innovation, and long-term value.
• Lead periodic category reviews and strategic planning exercises.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Category Managers and procurement professionals.
• Establish clear objectives, priorities, and performance expectations for team members.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, continuous improvement, and customer service.
• Support staff development through coaching, training, and succession planning.
• Monitor workload distribution and ensure efficient allocation of resources across categories and projects.
• Provide oversight and guidance on complex, high-value, and strategic sourcing initiatives.
• Review and approve sourcing strategies, procurement approaches, solicitation documents, and evaluation methodologies.
• Ensure procurement activities comply with organizational policies and governance requirements.
• Support negotiations for major contracts and strategic supplier agreements.
• Ensure timely delivery of procurement outcomes while maintaining quality and compliance standards.
• Build strong relationships with senior business leaders and key stakeholders.
• Act as a trusted advisor on procurement, sourcing, and category management matters.
• Ensure procurement strategies align with operational and strategic business requirements.
• Facilitate cross-functional collaboration to support procurement planning and execution.
• Manage stakeholder expectations and resolve escalated procurement issues.
• Manage and oversee the engagement and evaluation of technical consultants within the WBPCP unit as needed.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Supply Management, Finance Management, Marketing, Human Resources, Operations, Applied Economics, or a related field.
• Minimum of 8 years of relevant experience in category management and sourcing complex procurements, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Proven experience in category management in IT and technology related products and services including IT Infrastructure, Business Applications, IT Software and Services, FinTech, cloud-based software services (XaaS), and other related IT solutions and disruptive technologies.
• Demonstrated experience in leading a high-performing team and motivating category managers and procurement professionals.
• Proven ability to build effective relationships with senior business leaders and stakeholders acting as a trusted advisor on sourcing and commercial matters.
• Strong interpersonal and analytical capabilities and logical problem-solving skills to resolve conflicts and influence decisions without direct authority.
• Project Management skills with extensive experience in managing multiple related projects to ensure alignment with strategic objectives.
• Ability to deal sensitively in a multicultural environment and build effective working relationships with clients, colleagues, and other stakeholders.
• Superior communication skills in English (verbal, written, and comprehension), and ability to resolve interpersonal conflict.
• Ability to function effectively in multi-disciplinary teams within a matrix management environment, as well as an individual contributor.
• Ability to analyze and compare various sources of data, information and digital content and storytelling.
• Embracement of various digital tools and advocate for the use of emerging technologies in work program delivery.

Skills

• Category Management
• Sourcing Complex Procurements
• IT Procurement
• Technical Procurement
• IT Infrastructure Procurement
• Business Applications Procurement
• IT software procurement
• FinTech Procurement
• Cloud-based Software Services
• Disruptive Technologies Procurement
• Team Leadership
• Category Managers Development
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Trusted Advisor
• Project Management
• Multicultural Environment Experience
• Conflict Resolution
• Data Analysis
• Digital Content Analytics
• Digital Storytelling
• Emerging Technologies Advocacy
• Strategic Sourcing

Languages

English