IT Category Manager (Supply Chain)

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IT Category Manager (Supply Chain)

Department: Operations

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Bristol, UK

Reporting To: Chris Gumbleton

Compensation: GBP 70,000 - GBP 80,000 / year

Description

We're building the next UK-headquartered engineering powerhouse.At Rowden, we design and integrate advanced systems that sense, connect, and protect data in challenging environments where quick decisions are vital. Our solutions use intelligent automation to enhance speed and efficiency and are built to be reliable and straightforward for critical operations in remote or high-pressure settings.

Headquartered in Bristol (UK), we combine modern engineering methods with cutting-edge commercial technology to create adaptable, mission-critical systems. We focus on solving the tough challenges that others overlook, ensuring our customers can operate effectively in an ever-changing world.

About the Role

We're looking for an experienced IT Category Manager to build and own our IT supply chain, from initial supplier engagement through to the scheduling and sequencing of goods in. This is a critical role demanding extreme ownership and a robust commitment to delivery.

You will proactively manage relationships with key IT suppliers, negotiate commercial terms, and ensure robust scheduling and sequencing of inbound goods. Collaborating closely with technical, operational, and commercial teams, you will be comfortable working in fast paced and mission driven environments. You will enhance supply chain resilience through dependency mapping, strategic sourcing, and continuous improvement.

This role requires regular on-site presence in Bristol, with flexibility to attend supplier sites and customer facilities. Candidates must be willing to obtain UKSV security clearance.

Key areas of responsibility

• Act as the strategic lead interfacing between Rowden and critical IT suppliers, ensuring effective collaboration and clear communication.
• Own and drive the end-to-end supplier management process, including strategic sourcing, contracting, negotiation, and performance management.
• Plan, schedule, and sequence the receipt of goods, aligning closely with programme timelines and project dependencies.
• Perform supply chain dependency mapping, proactively identifying risks, opportunities for resilience, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Ensure accurate and timely maintenance of supply chain data, contracts documentation, and detailed records of engagement and agreements.
• Proactively monitor supplier performance, swiftly identifying and addressing potential issues related to quality, delivery timelines, or commercial risks.

Key skills, experience and behaviours

• Demonstrable experience in strategic supply chain management, particularly managing supplier relationships within complex IT categories.
• Exceptional negotiation and commercial management skills, with a proven track record of successful contract management and optimisation.
• Strong capability in scheduling, sequencing, and detailed logistics coordination within technology-intensive environments.
• Excellent organisational skills, meticulous attention to detail, and a proactive approach to managing timelines and deliverables.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with experience working effectively across technical, commercial, and operational teams.
• Resilient, proactive, and composed under pressure, with a commitment to owning and delivering business outcomes.
• Proven ability in dependency mapping, strategic sourcing, risk management, and resilience-building within IT supply chains.

Highly Desirable

• Experience within regulated or high-security sectors (e.g., defence, aerospace, national infrastructure).
• Experience working with SCIDA.
• A background in IT or engineering.

Working at Rowden

We are committed to building a flexible, inclusive, and enabling company. Our aim is to create a diverse team of talented people with unique skills, experience, and backgrounds, so please apply and come as you are!

We also recognise the importance of flexible working and support this wherever we can. We typically operate a flexible, hybrid-working model, with an average 3 days in the office each week (dependent on the role). We welcome the opportunity to discuss flexibility, part-time working requirements and/or workplace adjustments with all our applicants.

Rowden is a Disability Confident Committed company, and we actively encourage people with disabilities and health conditions to apply for our roles. Please let us know your requirements early on so that we can make sure you have everything you need up front to help make the recruitment process and experience as easy as possible.

Finally, if you feel that you don't meet all the criteria included above but have transferable skills and relevant experience, we'd still love to hear from you!