Senior Category Manager (IT Services and Software) - IHG

Your primary responsibility will be to support the Software and IT Services category, which represents a significant spend for IHG across several strategic, specialized, and niche software, cloud, service providers, and outsourcing firms. You will lead multiple assigned sub-categories, including sourcing, contracting, and negotiation of assigned sourcing events, and manage relationships with various stakeholder teams. Additionally, you will lead and manage responsible procurement, including supplier diversity, sustainability, and human rights, and guide IHG through major change to deliver breakthrough value in support of the overall procurement goals.

This is an exciting opportunity for a highly skilled and experienced procurement professional to make a significant impact on IHG's procurement strategy and drive value for the business.

Key Accountabilities

• Develop and execute prioritized P&T transformations and initiatives as an outcome of C&T Procurement Strategy
• Collaborates with business on service and software deals, understanding stakeholder requirements and strategic needs. Leads global sourcing events and value-driven initiatives effectively.
• Manages and matures assigned Software and Services sub-category(ies) in partnership with procurement and stakeholders. Develops category strategies and drives identified initiatives to conclusion.
• Dedicated to implementing, championing, and guiding Sourcing Management processes and protocols. Skilled in fostering and guiding cross-functional teams.
• Effectively executes sourcing, demand management, and continuous improvement projects within the IHG Procurement operating model to meet business objectives. Conducts thorough research and benchmarking to gain insights into global labor markets, leveraging analytics and data for informed decision-making.
• Leads and executes on pipeline of projects and initiatives to drive TCO, innovation, continuous improvement, and other benefits to IHG.
• Adept with presenting commercial challenges to business stakeholders, including those at VP and Head of Department levels.
• Manages issues raised by suppliers, stakeholders, and internal teams and escalates challenges to Leadership team as needed. 
• Works with SSRM and vendor management teams to develop and execute on supplier relationship management plans and monitors supplier performance.
• Aligns in an agile manner in an ambiguous environment with the always evolving and maturing IHG Procurement operating model and process framework. 
• Delivers higher value (savings, avoidance), assurance of supply, and risk mitigation (benefits) for the stakeholders.

Education

• Bachelors or master’s degree in IT, finance, Business Administration or in a relevant field or an equivalent combination of education and work-related experience

Experience 

• 8+ years of progressive, work-related experience in the IT Category
• Experience managing complex supplier relationships
• Experience working with retail/franchised organizations, specifically preferred in the lodging/hotel sub-industry

Technical Skills & Knowledge

• Strong understanding of IT services, outsourcing / offshoring, ITES (IT Enabled Services and call centers), managed services and services automation
• Experience with other technology categories like software, hardware, cloud (SaaS, IaaS, PaaS), and telecom is plus
• Strong understanding of core software, SaaS, Platforms and related technology categories and how they interact/relate
• Collaborates and delivers projects in a matrixed team environment​
• Effective project and program management skills
• Proven ability to manage change, both internal and external
• Customer centric and business results-oriented mindset
• Analytical and Insight driven to support decision making
• Comfortable with managing ambiguity in a fast-changing environment 
• Strong understanding of the Category Management and implementing category plans
• Strong procurement technical skills, legal knowledge and RFI/P leadership​
• High accountability and ownership of projects
• Agility and ability to work faster without compromising on quality and cost
• Value driven mindset and conflict management skills 
• Good negotiation and influencing skills​
• Inquisitive mind coupled with willingness and passion to learn
• Comfortable with senior stakeholders and providing advice and guidance
• Hospitality Industry (preferred but not required)

Hybrid role based in Atlanta - 2 days in office