Category Manager - IT
CV-LibraryHaywards Heath, West SussexpermanentPosted: 27 March 2026
Apply NowCategory Manager - IT Infrastructure
Hawards Heath / Crawley area
Hybrid after onboarding
£55,000-£68,000 + 10% bonus
Are you ready to take ownership of a high‑impact category within a cutting‑edge HPC and data centre environment?
If you're passionate about strategic sourcing, vendor negotiation, and high‑performance computing technologies, this is an opportunity you won't want to miss.
You'll step into a global procurement function where your expertise will directly shape the sourcing and delivery of mission‑critical HPC infrastructure. This includes servers, compute, storage, networking, GPUs, CPUs and more-working closely with engineering, IT, operations, and finance teams.
Key Responsibilities
Lead end‑to‑end sourcing across HPC hardware categories, including servers, GPUs/CPUs, networking and storage.
Develop sourcing strategies, run RFx processes, negotiate commercial agreements and deliver TCO‑optimised outcomes.
Collaborate closely with engineering, IT and business stakeholders to understand requirements and shape effective category plans.
Build and manage supplier relationships, oversee performance, and support contract renewals.
Stay up to date with market trends and emerging HPC technologies.
Support CAPEX/OPEX planning and budgeting, and oversee purchase order activities.
Skills & Experience
Experience in strategic sourcing, procurement or category management.
Knowledge of data centre hardware - servers, GPUs/CPUs, networking, storage.
Proven supplier negotiation and vendor management expertise.
Strong financial/commercial acumen, with experience analysing cost models and TCO.
Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills.
Ability to work autonomously across multiple concurrent projects.
Salary, Benefits & Working Model
£55,000-£68,000 base salary + 10% annual bonus
Hybrid working after onboarding (3 days onsite)
22 days holiday + buy/sell scheme
Strong pension with employer contribution
Private Medical & Dental options
Wellbeing support platform
Flexible benefits, discounts, gym membership schemes
Cycle to Work scheme
Visa sponsorship/relocation support available
On‑site gym and relaxed dress code
Regular social and reward events
Excellent learning & development pathways
Why apply?
You'll join an organisation investing heavily in next‑generation HPC and data centre capabilities, giving you the platform to influence strategy, drive high‑value commercial outcomes, and work at the forefront of cutting‑edge compute technologies.
Ready to take the next step?
If you're an experienced category manager with a passion for HPC and data centre hardware, we'd love to hear from you.
Apply now to explore this opportunity further.
If you've held any of these roles or used these technologies/skills, this role could be a great fit:
IT Procurement Manager, IT Infrastructure Category Manager, Data Centre Procurement Specialist, Hardware Sourcing Manager, Technology Procurement Lead, Server/GPU/CPU Procurement, Strategic Sourcing Manager - IT, Vendor Manager, IT Buyer, Senior Buyer - Hardware, Compute/Networking Sourcing.
Deerfoot Recruitment Solutions Ltd is a leading independent tech recruitment consultancy in the UK. For every CV sent to clients, we donate £1 to The Born Free Foundation. We are a Climate Action Workforce in partnership with Ecologi. If this role isn't right for you, explore our referral reward program with payouts at interview and placement milestones. Visit our website for details. Deerfoot Recruitment Solutions Ltd is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy
Hawards Heath / Crawley area
Hybrid after onboarding
£55,000-£68,000 + 10% bonus
Are you ready to take ownership of a high‑impact category within a cutting‑edge HPC and data centre environment?
If you're passionate about strategic sourcing, vendor negotiation, and high‑performance computing technologies, this is an opportunity you won't want to miss.
You'll step into a global procurement function where your expertise will directly shape the sourcing and delivery of mission‑critical HPC infrastructure. This includes servers, compute, storage, networking, GPUs, CPUs and more-working closely with engineering, IT, operations, and finance teams.
Key Responsibilities
Lead end‑to‑end sourcing across HPC hardware categories, including servers, GPUs/CPUs, networking and storage.
Develop sourcing strategies, run RFx processes, negotiate commercial agreements and deliver TCO‑optimised outcomes.
Collaborate closely with engineering, IT and business stakeholders to understand requirements and shape effective category plans.
Build and manage supplier relationships, oversee performance, and support contract renewals.
Stay up to date with market trends and emerging HPC technologies.
Support CAPEX/OPEX planning and budgeting, and oversee purchase order activities.
Skills & Experience
Experience in strategic sourcing, procurement or category management.
Knowledge of data centre hardware - servers, GPUs/CPUs, networking, storage.
Proven supplier negotiation and vendor management expertise.
Strong financial/commercial acumen, with experience analysing cost models and TCO.
Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills.
Ability to work autonomously across multiple concurrent projects.
Salary, Benefits & Working Model
£55,000-£68,000 base salary + 10% annual bonus
Hybrid working after onboarding (3 days onsite)
22 days holiday + buy/sell scheme
Strong pension with employer contribution
Private Medical & Dental options
Wellbeing support platform
Flexible benefits, discounts, gym membership schemes
Cycle to Work scheme
Visa sponsorship/relocation support available
On‑site gym and relaxed dress code
Regular social and reward events
Excellent learning & development pathways
Why apply?
You'll join an organisation investing heavily in next‑generation HPC and data centre capabilities, giving you the platform to influence strategy, drive high‑value commercial outcomes, and work at the forefront of cutting‑edge compute technologies.
Ready to take the next step?
If you're an experienced category manager with a passion for HPC and data centre hardware, we'd love to hear from you.
Apply now to explore this opportunity further.
If you've held any of these roles or used these technologies/skills, this role could be a great fit:
IT Procurement Manager, IT Infrastructure Category Manager, Data Centre Procurement Specialist, Hardware Sourcing Manager, Technology Procurement Lead, Server/GPU/CPU Procurement, Strategic Sourcing Manager - IT, Vendor Manager, IT Buyer, Senior Buyer - Hardware, Compute/Networking Sourcing.
Deerfoot Recruitment Solutions Ltd is a leading independent tech recruitment consultancy in the UK. For every CV sent to clients, we donate £1 to The Born Free Foundation. We are a Climate Action Workforce in partnership with Ecologi. If this role isn't right for you, explore our referral reward program with payouts at interview and placement milestones. Visit our website for details. Deerfoot Recruitment Solutions Ltd is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy