IT Category Manager

Kingfisher•Lower Southampton Township, PA

21d•Hybrid

About The Position

We’re Kingfisher, A team made up of over 74,000 passionate people who bring Kingfisher - and all our other brands: B&Q, Screwfix, Brico Depot, Castorama and Koctas - to life. That’s right, we’re big, but we have ambitions to become even bigger and even better. We want to become the leading home improvement company and grow the largest community of home improvers in the world. And that’s where you come in. At Kingfisher our customers come from all walks of life, and so do we. We want to ensure that all colleagues, future colleagues, and applicants to Kingfisher are treated equally regardless of age, gender, marital or civil partnership status, colour, ethnic or national origin, culture, religious belief, philosophical belief, political opinion, disability, gender identity, gender expression or sexual orientation. We are open to flexible and agile working, both of hours and location. Therefore, we offer colleagues a blend of working from home and our offices, located in London, Southampton & Yeovil. Talk to us about how we can best support you! As an IT Category Manager you will be accountable for the delivery of Commercial excellence, responsive to customers’ needs and evolving demands. Includes strategy development, procurement, and vendor management. Creation and execution of IT sourcing strategy in support of Group/Banner Technology strategy and objectives.

Requirements

Experienced category manager including experience of IT procurement
Can demonstrate contribution to Procurement “Thought leadership” and “Best Practice” in similar organisations
Good coaching and inter-personal skills – the role involves exerting influence as well as direct control
Evidence of managing a category internationally across multiple banners
Strong stakeholder management skills. Able to develop and maintain effective working relationships, based on personal credibility, with senior IT and business colleagues
Team Player – excellent listener and communicator.
Excellent planning and organizational skills
Strong Negotiation Skills
Contract literate: Able to lead contracting process and understand what is required in a contract

Responsibilities

Sourcing strategy development
Leading role in the IT sourcing strategy development process – to take account of changes in Business and IT Strategy, new technologies, market solutions and delivery mechanisms, and vendor strategies.
Gains agreement to and implements sourcing strategy for designated IT Categories.
Category management of designated IT categories
Expert for nominated category. Becomes “go-to” person for advice on market and sourcing trends. Develops deep understanding of category.
Development and implementation of category plan ensuring alignment and consistency with the Kingfisher, Group tech, and local banner strategies
Lead evaluation and decision process for supplier selection in accordance with company policies and procedures.
Ensure Group scale is leveraged through close communication with wider Procurement team, IT and business stakeholders across Kingfisher.
Negotiate contract renewals and lead RFP processes
Identify cost reduction opportunities. Coordinate, plan & execute internal and external benchmarks
Build strong relationships with IT and business stakeholders to ensure that demand is effectively understood, procurement plans are bought into, and stakeholders have the procurement information they need to support effective decision making.
Framework Agreements in place and up to date with designated HW, SW and services suppliers
Vendor Management of designated strategic vendors
Management of nominated vendors in accordance with the Vendor Relationship Management (“VRM”) governance process
Lead joint account planning with vendor and internal stakeholders to identify areas of potential value growth and lead delivery of agreed opportunities.
Ensure commercial and contract performance.
Support the resolution of issues and manage escalations.