Category Leader - IT Procurement
Join our team and what we'll accomplish together As a Category Leader within the TELUS IT Procurement team, you will influence the allocation of considerable resources and drive new best practices across the organization. You will oversee complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives while providing strategic consultation to Executives and Senior Leadership across the technology space, managing multi-million-dollar partnerships with global brands. You’ll also influence the next generation of practitioners, collaborating with a team of expert Category Managers to develop and execute a robust category strategy through sound internal and external data intelligence. This fast-paced role demands a strategic and transformative leader who can implement innovative initiatives to drive profitability within our dynamic, evolving landscape. You will set a new standard for global procurement industry leadership. Here’s how you'll make an impact Strategic Leadership: Partner with and guide a team of expert Category Managers to develop, execute, and deliver robust IT category strategies. Executive Communication: Demonstrate exceptional executive communication and storytelling skills. You will adapt your style to various audiences—from technical teams to C-suite executives—ensuring complex procurement data and insights are impactful, clear, and actionable. Deal Making & Negotiation: Spearhead major contract negotiations, strategic sourcing activities, and cross-functional projects. You'll establish robust contract terms (pricing, performance management, and SLA development) while implementing risk mitigation best practices. Innovation & Automation: Improve IT Procurement processes by leveraging automation, and Generative AI (GenAI) to streamline activities, improve data accuracy, and enhance risk management. Relationship Management: Manage multi-million-dollar partnerships with global brands, balancing value creation with strong risk and relationship management. People Development: Optimize our transformational delivery model to maximize impact for TELUS, including coaching and mentoring team members. What you bring IT Procurement Expertise: Minimum 5–7+ years of progressive experience in IT Procurement or Category Management, specifically negotiating large, complex projects with Tier 1 software, hardware, and cloud suppliers. Cloud & SaaS Acumen: Deep expertise in contracting and a strong understanding of SaaS and Cloud provider-specific requirements. Negotiation Mastery: A solid understanding of negotiation theory, strategies, and practices, with a reputation as an exceptional influencer who builds effective internal and external partnerships. Data-Driven Insights: A proven ability to evaluate and translate complex facts, data, and market intelligence into clear concepts and strategic recommendations. Business & Financial Acumen: Strong business acumen paired with financial intelligence and project execution excellence. Education: Bachelor’s degree in business, supply chain, technology, or a related domain. Great-to-haves Digital Mindset: A strong curiosity toward disruptive technologies and their direct application in modern procurement. Project Management: Formal experience leading large-scale project execution. Bilingual (English/French) #LI-REMOTE