The pathway
How you actually get there, here
How you become one varies far more by country than what one does. This is the UK route. Most people take one of these ways in; the right one depends on where you're starting from.
- 1
From Senior IT Category Manager (L3)
2-4 years as an L3Skills to master
- Moving from owning a sub-category to architecting strategy for major categories. Developing advanced negotiation skills for multi-million-pound deals. Building a track record of successfully influencing senior IT stakeholders.
You're ready to move on when
- Consistently exceeding category savings targets for 2+ years.
- Successfully leading 3-5 complex RFP processes end-to-end.
- Proactively identifying and mitigating significant contractual risks.
- Receiving positive feedback from IT Directors on your strategic input and partnership.
- 2
From IT Commercial Manager (Vendor Side)
8-12 years in commercial rolesSkills to master
- Transitioning from selling to buying. Understanding internal stakeholder dynamics. Adapting commercial acumen to a 'buy-side' perspective. Learning internal procurement processes and governance.
You're ready to move on when
- Deep understanding of IT vendor business models and pricing strategies.
- Proven track record of negotiating and structuring complex commercial deals.
- Strong communication and influencing skills, adaptable to an internal stakeholder environment.
- A genuine desire to move to the 'buy side' and drive value for a single organisation.
- 3
From Management Consultant (Procurement/IT Focus)
5-8 years in consultingSkills to master
- Moving from project-based consulting to ongoing category ownership. Building long-term internal relationships. Deepening practical negotiation and contract management skills beyond theoretical frameworks.
You're ready to move on when
- Experience leading procurement transformation or IT sourcing projects for clients.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with a focus on commercial outcomes.
- Ability to quickly understand complex organisational structures and influence stakeholders.
- Desire to build and execute strategies within a single company rather than move between clients.