Senior Category Manager

4,000 professionals, 0 days wasted, 1 incredible purpose. Together we will beat cancer.

Senior Category Manager (Technology) – 12 month FTC
Department:
Chief Operating Office

Contract:
12 month fixed-term contract

Salary:
£56,000 - £63,000

Hours:
Full time 35 hours per week

Location:
Stratford, London Office-based with high flexibility (1-2 days per week in the office)

Closing date: 11.59pm 28th
October
This vacancy may close earlier if a high volume of applications are received or once a suitable candidate is found

At Cancer Research UK, we exist to beat cancer.
We are professionals with purpose, beating cancer every day. But we need to go much further and much faster. That's why we're looking for someone talented, someone determined, someone like you.

We're looking for a Senior Category Manager to join our Procurement team on a fixed term basis. In this crucial role, you will be accountable for driving value and impact for Cancer Research UK by leading the development and execution of strategic procurement initiatives across our technology-related services and solutions spend categories. As well as helping CRUK to mitigate risk, you'll support the organisation's long-term goals through effective supplier partnerships and commercial strategies. You'll also build strong relationships with senior stakeholders and influence key decision-making, ultimately ensuring that Procurement deliver measurable benefits aligned with CRUK's mission to beat cancer.

What will I be doing?

• Develop and deliver category strategies that align with CRUK's objectives, using market insights, risk analysis, and stakeholder input to drive value and efficiency.
• Engage and influence senior stakeholders across CRUK to ensure procurement strategies are understood, supported, and embedded in business planning.
• Lead sourcing activities including supplier evaluation, selection, and competitive tendering to ensure optimal quality, cost, and service outcomes.
• Negotiate and draft commercial contracts that secure robust terms, mitigate risk, and maximise value for CRUK.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to manage supplier relationships, ensuring delivery against KPIs and continuous improvement.
• Identify and mitigate supplier risks to protect CRUK's operational and reputational interests.
• Monitor and report on category performance to ensure delivery of savings, value, and alignment with CRUK's strategic goals.

What are we looking for?

• Proven ability to build and manage strategic relationships with internal and external stakeholders at all levels to drive collaboration and innovation.
• Strong influencing and communication skills, with experience in securing stakeholder buy-in for complex technology procurement strategies.
• Extensive experience in leading change IT categories, identifying opportunities for digital and operational improvement and delivering measurable benefits.
• Deep expertise in managing complex IT contracts and supplier relationships, including managed services, SaaS, cloud, and infrastructure, ensuring compliance, performance, and value delivery.
• In-depth knowledge of category management principles, with a track record of developing and executing IT category strategies that align with organisational goals and technology roadmaps.
• Comprehensive experience in end-to-end sourcing within IT categories, including tendering, supplier evaluation, and delivering excellent stakeholder experiences across technical and non-technical audiences.
• Advanced negotiation skills, with a history of securing favourable commercial terms and drafting robust  IT contract schedules, including SLAs, KPIs, and exit strategies.

What will I gain?
Each and every one of our employees contributes to our progress and is supporting our work to beat cancer. We think that's impressive.

In return, we make sure you are supported by a generous benefits package, a wide range of career and personal development opportunities and high-quality tools, policies and processes to enable you to do your job well.

Our benefits package includes a substantial retirement plan, a generous and flexible leave allowance, discounts on anything from travel to technology, gym membership, and much more.

We don't forget people have lives outside of work too and so we actively encourage a flexible working culture.

Our work – from funding cutting-edge research to developing public policy – will change the world. It's exciting to be part of our team.

How do I apply?
We operate an anonymised shortlisting process in our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion. CVs are required for all applications; but we won't be able to view them until we invite you for an interview. Instead, we ask you to complete the work history section of the online application form for us to be able to assess you quickly, fairly and objectively.

For more information on this career opportunity please visit our website or contact us at

For more updates on our work and careers, follow us on: Linked In, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.

Our vision is to create a charity where everyone feels like they belong, benefits from and participates in, the work we do. We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures, in particular those from ethnic minority backgrounds who are currently under-represented.

We want to see every candidate performing at their best throughout the job application process, interview process and whilst at work. We therefore ask you to inform us of any concerns you have or any adjustments you might need to enable this to happen. Please contact or
0
as soon as possible.

Unfortunately, we are unable to recruit anyone below the age of 18, so that we can protect young people from health & safety and safeguarding risks.