An exceptional opportunity awaits an experienced IT Sourcing Category Lead to take ownership of the cyber security portfolio for a leading financial institution in Manchester. This pivotal role is designed for someone who thrives on building collaborative relationships, optimising third-party spend, and driving strategic sourcing initiatives across software and cyber categories.

The organisation offers a supportive environment where your expertise will directly influence business outcomes, risk management, and operational excellence.

• Play a key role in shaping the technology procurement strategy for a major financial services provider, focusing on cyber security and software categories to ensure robust vendor management and compliance.
• Enjoy flexible working arrangements in Manchester or Knutsford, with access to comprehensive training programmes and clear pathways for career progression within a highly respected organisation.
• Be part of a collaborative team culture that prioritises ethical conduct, continuous improvement, and the empowerment of colleagues at all levels to deliver outstanding results.

What you'll do:

As an IT Sourcing Category Lead - Cyber Security based in Manchester or Knutsford, you will be entrusted with overseeing technology-focused sourcing activity across software and cyber security categories. Your day-to-day responsibilities will involve collaborating with cross-functional teams to understand their requirements, designing tailored sourcing strategies that balance value with compliance needs. You will manage complex vendor relationships negotiating contracts, coordinating renewals, and providing oversight across multiple stakeholders while ensuring all activities adhere to rigorous governance frameworks. Success in this role means proactively identifying opportunities for process enhancement, staying ahead of industry developments through research and networking, advising senior leaders on strategic decisions impacting spend categories, and nurturing partnerships that support long-term business objectives. Your ability to blend analytical thinking with interpersonal sensitivity will be crucial as you guide teams through structured assignments while upholding the highest standards of integrity.

• Develop a deep understanding of category spend profiles by analysing business strategies, requirements, cost levers, and market opportunities to inform sourcing decisions.
• Collaborate closely with internal stakeholders to identify sourcing needs, develop requests for proposal (RFPs), and ensure alignment between sourcing activities and organisational priorities.
• Plan and execute end-to-end sourcing events including RFPs/RFXs while negotiating contracts that deliver value, speed, compliance, and risk mitigation.
• Monitor controls and compliance requirements throughout the sourcing cycle from initial request through to contract execution, ensuring regulatory engagement and audit readiness.
• Design, implement, and operate policies and procedures for sourcing activities that align with corporate standards, relevant regulations, and best practices.
• Identify opportunities for process improvement within sourcing operations such as buying channel optimisation and drive change initiatives to enhance efficiency and control.
• Stay abreast of industry trends in sourcing and category management by attending conferences, participating in training sessions, and conducting market research on emerging techniques.
• Advise senior stakeholders on functional impacts of sourcing decisions while managing risks in support of the broader governance agenda.
• Foster trusting relationships with both internal teams and external partners using effective influencing and negotiation skills to achieve shared business objectives.
• Contribute to or set strategic direction for the category area by planning resources, budgets, policies, and delivering continuous improvements aligned with organisational goals.

What you bring:

The ideal candidate for the IT Sourcing Category Lead - Cyber Security role brings substantial experience managing technology procurement activities within complex organisations. Your proven track record includes navigating intricate software licensing agreements as well as developing robust strategies for cyber security spend. You are adept at interpreting regulatory requirements into actionable sourcing processes while maintaining open lines of communication with stakeholders at all levels. Your approach is grounded in empathy valuing collaboration over competition and you excel at building consensus among diverse groups. In addition to technical proficiency in contract negotiation and vendor management, your strengths include project delivery skills that ensure initiatives are completed efficiently without compromising quality or compliance. You are comfortable presenting insights to senior executives yet equally committed to supporting colleague's growth through guidance and mentorship.

• Demonstrated experience in software sourcing with confidence in negotiating complex software-related contracts within large organisations.
• A strong background in software procurement enabling you to navigate licensing models, product structures, vendor landscapes, and commercial terms effectively.
• Proven awareness of cyber security technologies along with an understanding of associated risks relevant to technology procurement environments.
• Experience operating within risk-controlled or regulated environments ensuring adherence to governance frameworks throughout the procurement life-cycle.
• Background working in multinational or multi jurisdictional organisations managing complex global sourcing projects across diverse stakeholder groups.
• Exceptional communication skills at executive level allowing you to prepare concise briefs and present confidently to senior leadership forums.
• Ability to engage effectively with senior technology leaders representing the function at high-level meetings such as cost boards or steering committees.
• Project planning expertise supporting the delivery of initiatives from concept through completion while balancing competing priorities.

Robert Walters Operations Limited is an employment business and employment agency and welcomes applications from all candidates

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