Category Buyer

University-of-Oxford; Oxford; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Oxford is seeking a Category Buyer to deliver professional procurement support across our diverse and complex organisation. This role offers the opportunity to lead high-value purchasing projects, influence senior stakeholders, and ensure value for money across significant areas of spend.

You will provide commercial and procurement expertise to departments, manage tenders (£100k+), lead supplier negotiations, and develop category strategies within a collaborative finance

Qualifications

• Tendering high-value agreements (£100k+) experience.
• Proven supplier negotiation and contract drafting capability.
• Strong analytical and organisational skills.
• Ability to build effective working relationships with internal customers and suppliers.
• Excellent written, verbal and digital communication skills.
• Proficiency in Word and Excel.
• Degree-level education or equivalent professional experience.
• Full CIPS membership or willingness to work towards it.
• Experience developing and implementing category management plans.
• Familiarity with e-catalogues.

Responsibilities

• Managing high-value tenders and supplier relationships (£100k+).
• Develop category strategies and lead complex procurement projects.
• Support adoption of best-practice purchasing.
• Lead supplier negotiations and convert outcomes into clear contractual agreements.
• Monitor supplier performance and market trends over the contract lifecycle.
• Represent the University on sector-wide procurement groups where appropriate.

Skills

Tendering experience

Supplier negotiations

Contract drafting

Analytical skills

Stakeholder management

Communication skills

Relationship building

Word & Excel proficiency

Education

Degree-level education

CIPS membership

Tools

Word

Excel

Job description

The University of Oxford is seeking a Category Buyer to deliver professional procurement support across our diverse and complex organisation. This role offers the opportunity to lead high-value purchasing projects, influence senior stakeholders, and ensure value for money across significant areas of spend.

Location

Great Clarendon Street, Oxford with the option of some hybrid/remote working

Contract

Maternity cover until January 2028

About Us

Spanning the historic streets of the "city of dreaming spires", the University of Oxford has been ranked the world’s leading university for nine consecutive years. A place where centuries of tradition meet world-changing innovation, we offer you the chance to shape the future while working in an inspiring environment that promotes excellence. Here, you’ll contribute to ground-breaking research that tackles global challenges - from advancing sustainability to pioneering healthcare solutions - and join a diverse, inclusive community that champions your wellbeing, development, and aspirations.

Integral to the University, the Finance Division aims to enable world-class research and education by collaborating on sound financial strategy to provide long-term resources, underpinned by excellent operational and professional services. For more information, please visit: https://finance.admin.ox.ac.uk/

What We Offer

• 38 days of annual leave (inclusive of public holidays) to support your wellbeing, with the option to purchase up to 10 extra days and additional leave after long service.
• One of the most generous family leave schemes in UK higher education, offering up to 26 weeks of full-pay maternity and adoption leave, plus 12 weeks of full-pay paternity/partner leave.
• A commitment to hybrid and flexible working to suit your lifestyle.
• An excellent contributory pension scheme.
• Affordable and sustainable commuting options, including a cycle loan scheme, discounted bus travel, and season ticket loans.
• Access to a vibrant community through our social, cultural, and sports clubs.

About the Role

You will provide commercial and procurement expertise to departments across the University, managing high-value tenders and supplier relationships (typically £100k+). Working closely with Purchasing Managers and internal customers, you’ll help develop category strategies, lead complex procurement projects, and support the adoption of best-practice purchasing.

This is a varied role combining project delivery, stakeholder engagement, supplier negotiation, and market insight, within a collaborative and highly professional finance function.

• Managing high-value, high-risk tendering exercises from requirements gathering through to contract award
• Leading supplier negotiations and converting outcomes into clear, robust contractual agreements
• Supporting category management initiatives through data analysis, market research, and strategy development
• Building strong relationships with internal stakeholders to understand needs and influence outcomes
• Managing contractual risk, drafting bespoke clauses, and working with Legal Services where required
• Monitoring supplier performance, market trends, and value for money over the contract lifecycle
• Representing the University on sector-wide procurement groups and consortia where appropriate

About You

You’ll bring experience of delivering complex procurement projects in a regulated or large-scale environment, alongside strong communication and analytical skills.

• Experience tendering high-value agreements (£100k+) and/or frameworks
• Proven supplier negotiation experience and contract drafting capability
• Strong analytical and organisational skills
• Ability to build effective working relationships with internal customers and suppliers
• Excellent written, verbal and digital communication skills
• Proficiency in Word and Excel
• Degree-level education or equivalent professional experience
• Full CIPS membership or willingness to work towards it
• Experience developing and implementing category management plans
• Familiarity with e-catalogues

Application Process

The closing date for applications is 12 noon on Monday 2nd November at 12 noon

Interviews will take place on 12th November via Teams with 2nd stage interviews in person in Oxford later in November