Group IT & Indirect Director

Location: UK (with travel across UK & Europe)
 

Arriva is a leading European passenger transport partner, operating across 11 countries and delivering over 1.5 billion passenger journeys each year. With a workforce of 35,000 people and a strong heritage dating back to 1938, Arriva is driving an ambitious growth and sustainability agenda, supported by I Squared Capital following its acquisition in 2024.

We are now seeking an experienced and commercially astute Group IT & Indirect Director to join our Group Procurement team. This is a high-impact leadership role, shaping and delivering procurement strategy across a significant and complex spend portfolio.

The Role

As Category Director, you will lead the development and execution of Group-wide category strategies across IT and corporate services, including software, hardware, cloud, telecoms, digital services, and professional services.

You will act as a trusted commercial partner to senior stakeholders, including the CIO and corporate leadership teams, ensuring procurement delivers measurable value, manages risk, and supports wider transformation and digital priorities.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and deliver 1, 3 and 5-year category strategies aligned to Group objectives
• Lead complex sourcing programmes and high-value commercial negotiations
• Drive cost optimisation, demand management, and total cost of ownership improvements
• Establish and manage strategic supplier relationships, ensuring performance, innovation and risk mitigation
• Build Group-wide frameworks and agreements to maximise leverage and reduce duplication
• Provide executive insights on market trends, commercial risks, and supplier dynamics
• Influence and engage senior stakeholders across IT, Finance, Legal and Business Units
• Lead, develop and inspire a high-performing category team

About You

You will be an experienced procurement leader with a strong track record in IT and indirect category management within large, complex organisations.

You will bring:

• Extensive experience in IT procurement (software, SaaS, cloud, telecoms, hardware, professional services)
• Proven ability to operate at executive level and influence senior stakeholders
• Strong commercial acumen, negotiation expertise, and contract leadership skills
• Experience delivering significant cost savings, value creation, and risk reduction
• A strategic mindset, combined with a hands-on, results-driven approach
• Experience working in matrix or federated environments
• A professional procurement qualification (e.g. CIPS) is desirable

Why Join Arriva?

This is a unique opportunity to play a pivotal role in shaping procurement strategy within a major international organisation undergoing transformation and growth. You’ll have the autonomy to lead, influence and drive real commercial impact across a diverse and evolving category landscape.

Closing Date

Friday 3rd Jul 2026