JOB REFERENCE 324640

Procurement Category Director - Technology
Competitive salary plus car allowance, healthcare, 35% annual bonus potential, 30 days annual leave plus bank holidays rising with serve and a company pension scheme with highly competitive contribution rates
Permanent, Full time
185 Farringdon Road, London

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES

1. Business Partner to senior internal customers and leaders in the business areas serviced by the category – understanding their business drivers and needs in the context of the company strategy, agreeing how they can be most effectively met and advocating effective use of procurement resources
2. Lead the category pillar in the development and implementation of a procurement Category Strategies for goods and services in order to meet internal customers’ needs, deliver first class value for the business and protect it from risk
3. Lead exec level supplier relationships with key suppliers to deliver value, innovation, drive performance and ESG targets
4. Ensure sourcing activity in the category is carried out in an efficient and timely way that is compliant with Royal Mail policy, process and guidelines
5. Work collaboratively with other Category Directors to make most effective use of the resources available across the procurement functions through a ‘pooled resource’ way of working
6. Ensure the maintenance of accurate and complete electronic records for all contracts and projects in the category and provide other category data and insights where required in order to drive value or mitigate business risk
7. Provide expert negotiation guidance and support to maximise value delivery or mitigate risk across the category and be a commercial and contractual escalation point for business area customers and contract managers

QUALIFICATIONS

• Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (MCIPS) Qualified.
• Degree level with relevant post graduate experience and/or qualifications.

At Royal Mail we’ve served our communities for over 500 years, helping to lead and transform the postal delivery market on a global scale. We’re currently innovating and transforming our business for the future, and to get there, we need exceptionally talented, resilient, and driven people.
The Category Director - Technology has overall responsibility for management, leadership and strategic direction across technology, ensuring that Royal Mail Group (RMG) stakeholders obtain excellent customer service, best value for money and compliance with RMG governance. The Category Director Technology shall be the professional lead within their pillar, whilst aligning closely with other Procurement Leadership Team (PLT) members and peers spanning the entire portfolio of Categories e.g., IT, Property, Assets, Automation, Corporate Services and SRM disciplines, providing professional leadership for the team in a collaborative environment. Category Directors may also deputise for the Chief Procurement Officer (CPO) as required and assist other Category Directors in realising Category Plans where there is a cross over in service requirements, namely across IT architecture and operating models.
As a strategic advisor to our IT leadership, and executive stakeholders, you’ll be at the forefront of digital transformation, responsible for unlocking innovation, agility, and competitive advantage through world class supplier partnerships. In this transformational leadership role, you will on the end-to-end sourcing strategy for all IT categories fuelling innovation, operational agility, and business growth.
The Category Director will be a trusted advisor to C-level executives (CIO, CISC, CFO, CPO) and play a critical role in shaping the digital agenda through innovative sourcing models, strategic vendor partnerships, and enterprise- scale transformation initiatives.
This is a high-impact, highly visible role requiring bold leadership, deep technical and market expertise, and the ability to drive results across a complex organisation.
Reporting into the Chief Procurement Officer - This is a hybrid working role and to attend our Head Office in Farringdon, London.