Global IT Category Manager - Insurance Industry - 12 Months

We are AMS. We are a global total workforce solutions firm; we enable organisations to thrive in an age of constant change by building, re-shaping, and optimising workforces. Our Contingent Workforce Solutions (CWS) service partner with Zurich to support contingent recruitment hiring.

On behalf of Zurich, AMS are looking for a Global IT Category Manager for an initial 12-month contract based on a hybrid basis with offices in London OR Swindon. The role will be primarily remote working with flexibility required on office travel when needed.

At Zurich they believe in creating a brighter future for their customers, partners, their people and the planet by providing products and services which have a positive impact on peoples lives. They want to be one of the most responsible businesses in the world.

In the UK, Zurich provide a suite of general insurance products covering business, casualty, motor, property and travel insurance, life insurance and pensions products to individuals and corporate customers. We employ over 4,500 people in the UK and are based across a number of locations with our head office being in Swindon.

Purpose of the Role:

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced IT Category Manager to take on a high-impact, senior-level role within a global organisation. The role involves negotiating and managing contracts with third-party suppliers for software, SaaS, cloud services, and professional IT services across multiple regions. You will gain exposure to complex, high-value procurement deals and collaborate with stakeholders at a global level.

This 12-month engagement provides stability and the chance to drive strategic procurement initiatives that directly influence cost savings and supplier rationalisation efforts across the business. With a predominantly remote setup and occasional UK-based travel, this role offers flexibility while working on large-scale, global projects.

Responsibilities of the role:

Contract Negotiation & Management:

• Lead negotiations for new contracts and contract renewals related to software, SaaS, cloud services, and professional IT services.
• Draft, review, and manage complex contracts, including licensing agreements and terms & conditions.
• Collaborate with the legal team while maintaining ownership of contract life cycle management.

Supplier & Stakeholder Engagement:

• Manage relationships with third-party suppliers, which may be based across the UK and Europe.
• Work closely with internal stakeholders, including Group Technology and business teams (eg, claims, underwriting, risk).
• Contribute to supplier management strategies and initiatives, including supplier reduction and cost-saving measures.

Strategic Cost Reduction Initiatives:

• Support ongoing initiatives aimed at supplier rationalisation and cost reduction.
• Analyse commercial and pricing models presented by third-party suppliers.

What we require from you:

• Proven experience in a similar global IT procurement/category management role, particularly with software, SaaS, cloud, and IT professional services agreements.
• Strong contract negotiation skills, including the ability to manage complex commercial models and pricing structures from third-party suppliers.
• Excellent external supplier relationship management skills.
• Strong stakeholder engagement across business and technology teams.
• Ability to work independently in a remote/hybrid working environment and manage workstreams autonomously.
• Desirable: Understanding of insurance market suppliers and procurement dynamics in Financial Services.

Next steps:

This client will only accept workers operating via an Umbrella or PAYE engagement model.

If you are interested in applying for this position and meet the criteria outlined above, please click the link to apply and we will contact you with an update in due course.

At Zurich, we are proud of our culture. We are passionate about Diversity and Inclusion. We want you to bring your whole self to work we have a diverse mix of customers and we want our employee base to reflect that. Our diversity and inclusion initiatives are creating an environment where everyone feels welcome regardless of protected characteristics.

With the above in mind, we accept applications from everyone regardless of your background, beliefs or culture however we especially welcome applications from women, people from ethnic minorities, people with a disability and people who are LGBT+ as these groups are currently under-represented in our organisation.

AMS, a Recruitment Process Outsourcing Company, may in the delivery of some of its services be deemed to operate as an Employment Agency or an Employment Business.