Senior IT Procurement Manager (Network and Telecom)

🎯 Role Overview
We are seeking an experienced Senior IT Procurement Manager (Interim) to drive strategic sourcing initiatives, commercial negotiations, and category governance across our Global IT portfolio. Reporting directly to the Global IT Category Leader, this executive-level interim position oversees a substantial technology spend profile (~$200M) with a primary focus on Networks, Telecommunications, Infrastructure Hardware, and Information Security (InfoSec).
The ideal candidate will bring deep commercial acumen, a proven track record of securing high-value cost savings, and the ability to navigate complex Tier 1 vendor negotiations while aligning procurement strategy with global business objectives.
📋 Key Responsibilities
• Strategic Project Leadership: Lead and execute high-impact sourcing strategies and procurement initiatives across the assigned Global IT sub-categories in close alignment with Category Directors.
• Commercial & Contract Negotiations: Direct complex, multi-year contract negotiations and RFx processes for Tier 1 technology vendors, structuring favorable pricing models, licensing terms, and service-level agreements.
• Financial & Value Delivery: Accountable for identifying and achieving aggressive annual cost-saving targets, increasing spend under management, and maximizing overall commercial value.
• Supplier Relationship & Risk Management (SRM): Identify, assess, and mitigate critical IT supplier risks. Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) to continuously monitor and elevate top-tier vendor performance.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with global IT, Legal, and Finance stakeholders to translate technical requirements and business demand into robust commercial frameworks.
• Market Intelligence & Insight: Gather and analyze market data, technology cost drivers, and internal demand patterns to inform long-term category planning and strategic positioning.
• Governance & Policy Adherence: Enforce compliance with corporate procurement frameworks, global policies, and risk mitigation guidelines across regional and GBS delivery teams.
⚙️ Qualifications & Required Experience
• Experience: 10+ years of progressive leadership within Global IT Strategic Procurement and Category Management environments.
• Vendor Expertise: Demonstrated track record of leading complex, multi-million-dollar negotiations with Tier 1 global IT suppliers (specifically within Network/Telecoms, Hardware, and InfoSec domains).
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Law, or a technical discipline. Professional qualification such as CIPS (or equivalent) is strongly preferred.
• Commercial Acumen: In-depth technical mastery of IT licensing models, pricing architectures, hardware procurement structures, and telecom service contracts.
• Stakeholder Management: Exceptional communication skills with a proven capability to influence senior executives, drive consensus, and manage multi-disciplinary global teams.