Senior Category Manager (IT & AI Procurement)

About the role

The Central Procurement Office of the National University of Singapore is hiring a Senior Category Manager (IT & AI Procurement) to manage assigned IT and AI procurement categories. The role drives strategic sourcing, supplier management and cost optimisation to maximise the value of the university's IT and AI spend, in line with NUS policies, public-sector governance and AI governance and data-protection requirements. The position is based at the Kent Ridge Campus.

Key responsibilities

• Design and run sourcing strategies for IT categories (hardware, software, cloud, networking, IT services, AI platforms and tools) tracked against KPIs, and evaluate AI pricing models and total cost of ownership, running pilots before purchase
• Monitor IT and AI market trends and advise stakeholders on procurement timing, and maintain a category risk register covering AI risks such as vendor lock-in, data leakage and bias
• Manage suppliers end to end, from onboarding and scorecard reviews to issue resolution, and conduct due diligence on AI vendors' data practices, security and viability
• Negotiate pricing, service levels and protections, including AI-specific terms on data and IP ownership, no training on university data and spend controls
• Embed responsible-AI checks in procurement with IT security, data protection and legal teams, and maintain a register of procured AI tools to avoid duplicate purchases
• Report monthly on spend, savings and catalogue use, including AI usage costs, and drive adoption of the catalogue and e-procurement
• Work with faculties, research centres and administrative units to forecast demand, ensure audit compliance and train stakeholders on approved routes for buying AI tools

Required profile

• Degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, IT or a related discipline
• Minimum 8 years in procurement, with a strong focus on IT category management
• Knowledge of at least two IT categories (e.g. hardware, software, cloud, IT services, AI)
• Proven track record of delivering savings through strategic sourcing
• 1-2 years buying AI or SaaS software preferred; experience in higher education, the public sector or large organisations preferred
• CIPS, CPSM or CSCP certification advantageous; AI governance credentials a plus

Required skills

• Strong analytical, negotiation and stakeholder management skills
• Strategic mindset and project management skills
• Excellent written and verbal English
• Microsoft Office, e-procurement platforms and data analytics tools
• Working understanding of AI concepts and their commercial, legal and privacy risks