IT Category Manager

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. 

· 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.

Knowledge/Skills/Experience Required

· 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

Be Customer Focused – constantly improving our customers' experience

• I listen to my customers
• I use available data to help make decisions

Be Human – acting with humanity and care

• I do the right thing
• I am respectful

Be Curious – thrive on learning, thinking beyond the obvious

• I build and share new ideas
• I try new things and share my learnings

Be Agile – working with trust, pace and agility

• I have courage to be creative
• Done is better than perfect, I aim for 80/20

Be Inclusive – acting inclusively in diverse teams to work together

• I embrace allyship
• I have self-awareness and a desire to learn

Be Accountable – championing the plan to deliver results and growth

• I own my actions
• I understand the Kingfisher plan and how it relates to my role

At Kingfisher, we value the perspectives that any new team members bring, and we want to hear from you. We encourage you to apply for one of our roles even if you do not feel you meet 100% of the requirements.

In return, we offer an inclusive environment, where what you can achieve is limited only by your imagination We encourage new ideas, actively support experimentation, and strive to build an environment where everyone can be their best self. Find out more about Diversity & Inclusion at Kingfisher here

 We also offer a competitive benefits package and plenty of opportunities to stretch and grow your career.

Interested? Great, apply now and help us to Power the Possible.

#LI-BN1