IT Category Manager - Procurement

We are looking for an experienced IT Category Manager to support our client's Procurement team.

Working hours ~15:00 - 00:00 (mid-shift)

This opportunity is open only to candidates based in the Philippines

Screening interviews will take place 28th - 31st July

Key Responsibilities:

• Design, implement and refine sourcing strategies for all IT-related categories in alignment with company objectives and technology roadmaps.

• Conduct market research to identify industry trends, supplier landscapes, innovations and risks or opportunities in IT procurement.

• Manage and optimise the IT supplier portfolio, balancing global and local vendors for competition and value.

• Lead end-to-end RFP, RFI, and RFQ processes, including requirement definition, stakeholder engagement, tendering, and supplier evaluation.

• Develop and apply criteria for assessing supplier capabilities, financial health, compliance, security, and alignment with organisational values.

• Negotiate complex contracts with suppliers to secure commercial terms, value-added services, innovation opportunities, and contract flexibility.

• Draft, review, and finalise IT contracts in collaboration with legal, risk, and business stakeholders.

• Oversee the entire lifecycle of IT contracts, including initiation, signature, renewals, amendments, and compliance audits.

• Identify and manage risks related to contractual obligations, regulatory compliance, cybersecurity, and service continuity.

• Build strong relationships with IT, security, finance, legal, and other business units to understand their needs and provide sourcing expertise.

• Support the adoption of new suppliers and sourcing initiatives through effective communication, training, and change management.

• Monitor supplier performance against contractual KPIs and SLAs, driving continuous improvement and value for the organisation.

• Act as the escalation point for complex contractual or service issues and resolve disputes in a timely, commercially sound manner.

Required Skills & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Information Technology, or a related discipline. - MANDATORY

• Extensive experience in IT category management, sourcing, or contract management in large international organisations - MANDATORY

• Professional certifications such as CIPS, CPSM, or ITIL are highly valued; contract law or negotiation credentials are a plus.

• Strong knowledge of IT procurement categories including software, hardware, cloud services, telecoms, consulting, and outsourcing.

• Demonstrated success leading strategic sourcing, tendering, and contract negotiations for IT spend.

• Solid understanding of contract law, intellectual property, data protection, and IT regulatory requirements.

• Competence with e-sourcing tools, market intelligence platforms, and contract management systems.

• Excellent negotiation, analytical, influencing, and stakeholder management skills.

• Exceptional communication abilities for both executive and technical audiences.

• Experience with supplier risk management in a regulated industry.

• Proficiency in using SAP Ariba / Coupa or similar S2C systems.

• Analytical, data-driven thinker with experience in creating and driving metrics and reports.

• Fluent in English – verbal and written - MANDATORY