Category Manager – Core Platforms

Job Description

As a Category Manager – Core Platforms, you’ll play a pivotal role in shaping how Virgin Media O2 sources, manages and optimises its Core Network Platforms. This role is accountable for over £70m of third-party spend. It ensures our networks have strong supplier strategies balancing performance, cost, risk, and sustainability. You’ll be at the heart of the business, turning complex technical and commercial requirements into clear category strategies that deliver for our customers and collaborators alike.

In practice, this is a highly collaborative and influential role. You’ll develop and deliver category plans, lead complex sourcing and negotiation activities, and manage key supplier relationships end-to-end. Working closely with senior collaborators across Networks, Finance, Legal, and Group Procurement, you’ll drive groundbreaking cost and performance initiatives. You will also mitigate commercial and operational risk and ensure contracts are effectively governed throughout their lifecycle. This is a role for someone who enjoys complexity, thrives on influence, and wants to make a tangible impact on the future of our network platforms.

Who we are

We’re a flexible-first organisation, because we know people do their best work when they have choice and clarity. To support meaningful collaboration, we ask everyone to spend at least eight days each month connecting in person.

That doesn’t just mean time in the office, it could be team meetings, offsites, volunteering days, cross-functional projects, or away days - anywhere meaningful collaboration happens. What matters is making those moments purposeful, so when we come together, it really counts.

Accessible, inclusive and equitable for all

Virgin Media O2 is an equal opportunities employer, and we're working hard to remove bias and barriers for our people and candidates. So, we build equity and inclusion into everything we do, from the policies we craft to the relationships we shape. We support and encourage you to be your authentic self throughout your application journey with us.

The must haves

In order to be considered, you must have the following experience;

• Proven experience crafting and delivering category and supplier strategies for complex,high-valuespend
• Leading complex sourcing events and commercial negotiations, including contract development and execution
• Strong collaborator management skills, with experience influencing up to senior leadership level
• Understanding of contract law and commercial risk management
• Strong analytical capability, including spend, budget and contract analysis to inform strategy

The other stuff we are looking for

We'd also love you to bring;

• Experience across Network and/or IT procurement categories
• Familiarity with global or group-wide procurement models and matrix working

• Experience driving transformational cost or value initiatives
• Strong supplier relationship management and performance frameworks
• An interest in networks and emerging technology platforms

What's in it for you

Our goal is to celebrate our people, their lives, and everything in-between. We aim to create a culture that empowers everyone to bring the best versions of themselves to work each and every day. We believe the most inclusive and diverse culture makes for a better business and a brighter world.

Working at Virgin Media O2, you get a bumper reward package bursting with benefits, and loads of extras you can add if you’d like to. These are designed to support both you and your loved ones, making sure that you’re covered no matter what life throws your way.

Next steps

If we feel like a place where you can belong, we'd love to learn more about you as a person and your experience to date. Once you've submitted an application the next steps of the process, if successful, the next steps (if successful) are likely to include:

• A Saville assessment
• Two interview stages, combining competency-based and role-specific discussions

When you apply, you'll be asked about any adjustments you might need to support the recruitment process. Let us know, and we'll be sure to discuss it with you.

Please note: Applications will be reviewed, and interviews conducted throughout the duration of this advert, therefore we may bring the closing date forward. We encourage all interested applicants to apply as soon as possible. If you’re offered a job with us, it will be conditional, based on the passing of background checks. All roles require a criminal record check and some roles need a financial probity check. Your recruiter can provide you with more information if needed.

Thanks for your patience and for showing an interest in joining the Virgin Media O2 family.

#LI-NA1