Global Category Leader, IT Software

Life. Unlimited. At Smith+Nephew we design and manufacture technology that takes the limits off living. 

Join Smith+Nephew's Global Indirect Procurement organisation as the Global Category Leader - Digital, Software & AI Procurement, leading one of the company's most strategic spend portfolios at a time of unprecedented technology and AI-driven change.

This role is responsible for defining and executing Smith+Nephew's global software procurement strategy across enterprise applications, SaaS, digital platforms and emerging AI-enabled technologies. You will act as a trusted commercial partner to IT, Digital and business leaders, helping the organisation maximise value from software investments while balancing innovation, risk, governance and speed.

This is not a traditional sourcing role. We are looking for a strategic category leader who can shape supplier strategy, influence technology investment decisions, drive commercial value, build organisational capability and position Procurement as a strategic enabler of Smith+Nephew's RISE ambition. In addition to leading the Software category, the role will act as Procurement's AI Champion, helping category teams navigate the commercial, contractual, governance and risk implications of AI as it becomes increasingly embedded within products, services and supplier solutions across the enterprise.

As an M2 leader, you will lead through others—coaching and developing category managers, setting high standards for execution, and creating the conditions for sustained performance, innovation and continuous improvement.

Category Strategy & Value Creation

• Define and execute the global software category strategy, aligned to business priorities, digital transformation objectives and the RISE strategy.
• Build and manage a multi-year value pipeline across cost optimisation, software rationalisation, demand management, risk reduction and innovation.
• Use market intelligence, supplier insights and benchmarking to shape strategic decisions and identify new opportunities.
• Act as Procurement's AI Champion for AI-enabled software and emerging technologies, providing leadership, guidance and governance support to category teams as AI becomes increasingly embedded within supplier solutions, products and services across the enterprise.

Strategic Business Partnering

• Serve as a trusted commercial advisor to IT, Digital, Data & Analytics, Cybersecurity, Finance, Legal and business stakeholders.
• Influence software investment decisions through insight, structured challenge and commercial expertise.
• Ensure Procurement is engaged early in planning and technology decision-making processes.
• Identify and execute initiatives for cross-category IT-related optimisation and consolidation.

Commercial Excellence & Supplier Leadership

• Lead complex negotiations with strategic software suppliers and oversee major commercial agreements.
• Drive effective supplier relationship management to improve performance, innovation, risk management and business outcomes.
• Establish commercial approaches that balance flexibility, scalability, value delivery and enterprise risk.

AI, Digital & Software Governance

• Help shape Smith+Nephew's approach to procuring and managing AI-enabled software and emerging technologies.
• Ensure appropriate governance around software licensing, data rights, AI-related contractual considerations, cybersecurity and compliance requirements.
• Promote data-driven decision-making and adoption of AI-enabled procurement tools and ways of working.

People Leadership & Capability Building

• Lead, coach and develop a high-performing software procurement team.
• Build capability in category management, stakeholder engagement, negotiation, commercial strategy and AI-enabled procurement.
• Foster a culture of accountability, curiosity, continuous improvement and collaboration.
• Drive AI capability development across the wider procurement organisation through coaching, training, knowledge sharing and practical application of AI-enabled procurement techniques.
• Support category teams in assessing the impact of AI on supplier markets, commercial models, contracting approaches, governance requirements, and risk considerations within their respective categories.
• Champion digital, data and AI fluency across the procurement organisation, fostering communities of practice and promoting the sharing emerging market insights, lessons learned and best practices

What will you need to be succesful?

• Significant experience in software procurement, technology sourcing, commercial management or related leadership roles.

• Demonstrated success developing and executing category strategies that deliver measurable business value.
• Experience leading complex software negotiations and supplier relationships at a regional or global level.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence senior leaders and operate effectively in matrix environments.
• Experience leading and developing teams, with a track record of building capability and improving performance.

• Knowledge of AI-enabled software, data governance, responsible AI principles, and evolving software commercial models.
• An understanding of AI, emerging digital technologies and their impact on procurement, sourcing, and supplier management.
• Experience developing governance, risk management or compliance approaches for technology-enabled suppliers and third-party services.
• Demonstrated ability to influence senior stakeholders on digital transformation, AI adoption, and responsible AI practices.
• Experience working collaboratively with IT, Legal, Cyber Security, Privacy and Compliance functions.

Preferred Experience

• Deep understanding of enterprise software, SaaS, licensing models, software asset optimisation and supplier ecosystems.
• Experience supporting digital transformation, technology modernisation or AI-related initiatives.
• Experience within a complex, global and highly regulated environment.
• People leadership and development experience.

 What Success Looks Like

• Delivery of Finance-validated value across the software portfolio.
• Strong strategic partnerships with IT and business stakeholders.
• Improved visibility, governance and optimisation of software investments.
• High-performing supplier relationships that drive innovation and business outcomes.
• Increased adoption of data-driven and AI-enabled procurement practices.
• A capable, engaged and future-ready software procurement team.
• Measurable improvement in procurement capability and confidence in applying AI-enabled tools, technologies and ways of working.
• Effective governance and risk management of AI-enabled suppliers and third-party solutions.
• Strong cross-functional alignment on AI supplier management, controls and responsible AI standards.
• Comfortable in championing and challenging both stakeholders and suppliers alike across a range of initiatives.
• Strong leadership and people-development skills across the software category and broader IT procurement team.