Senior Procurement Category Manager – IT & AI
Location: Hyderabad or Noida, India (Hybrid)
Function: Procurement / IT & AI Category Management
About the Opportunity
A leading global organization is seeking a commercially sharp and strategically minded Senior Procurement Category Manager to own its IT & AI spend portfolio. This is a high-impact role managing approximately $20M in annual spend, offering significant visibility and the opportunity to shape procurement strategy in one of the fastest-evolving category landscapes — technology and artificial intelligence.
What You'll Do
- Develop and execute comprehensive IT & AI category strategies, including market analysis, sourcing roadmaps, and 3-year plans aligned to business objectives
- Manage $20M+ in annual IT category spend, delivering year-over-year savings of 5–10% while maintaining or improving quality and service levels
- Lead end-to-end strategic sourcing events — RFx processes, supplier evaluations, negotiations, contract awards, and implementation planning for complex, high-value procurements
- Negotiate favorable pricing, terms, SLAs, and contract provisions across software, infrastructure, and AI/emerging technology agreements
- Build and sustain strategic supplier partnerships through quarterly business reviews, performance scorecards, and continuous improvement programs
- Partner closely with internal stakeholders across IT, Finance, Legal, and Operations to translate business requirements into effective procurement strategies
- Monitor market trends, pricing dynamics, and supply base shifts in the IT and AI space to deliver timely intelligence to the business
- Identify and mitigate supply chain and vendor risks; ensure compliance with regulatory and policy requirements
- Champion process improvement and best practice adoption across the procurement function
- Mentor junior procurement team members and contribute to capability building across the organization
What We're Looking For
Essential:
- 7–10 years of progressive procurement or category management experience, with a focus on IT categories in a corporate environment
- Proven track record managing $15M+ in annual spend and delivering consistent cost savings of 5–10%+
- Deep expertise in strategic sourcing methodologies — RFx, should-cost modeling, TCO analysis, supplier evaluation frameworks
- Strong commercial negotiation skills with demonstrated success in complex, high-value IT or technology contracts
- Solid understanding of IT market dynamics — software licensing, SaaS, infrastructure, managed services, and emerging AI solutions
- Advanced analytical and financial acumen: spend analysis, cost modeling, and business case development
- Exceptional stakeholder management skills with the ability to influence senior leaders and technical teams
- Proficiency with procurement platforms (SAP Ariba, Coupa, Oracle, or similar), spend analytics tools, and advanced Excel; BI tools a plus
- Excellent communication skills and executive presence — able to present complex information clearly to diverse audiences
Desirable:
- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Information Technology, or a related field
- Professional certification: CPM, CPSM, CSCP, or equivalent
- Contract law knowledge and experience negotiating complex IT terms and conditions
- Project management certification or demonstrated project leadership experience
Why Join Us
This role sits at the intersection of procurement excellence and technology strategy — a unique opportunity to drive measurable financial impact while engaging with cutting-edge suppliers in AI, SaaS, and enterprise technology. You'll work in a collaborative, high-performance environment with direct influence on organizational outcomes.
This is a confidential search. The hiring organization will be disclosed to shortlisted candidates.
To apply, please submit your CV along with a brief summary of your IT category management experience and key savings achievements.
