Category Manager

Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS); Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

An educational institute focused on procurement is seeking a proactive Category Manager to lead diverse procurement activities while ensuring regulatory compliance and delivering value for money. This pivotal role focuses on maximising social value and sustainable outcomes. Candidates should have experience in procurement management and a strong understanding of public procurement legislation. Hybrid working options are available, supplemented by excellent training opportunities and a generous leave scheme.

Benefits

Generous annual leave scheme

Excellent training and development opportunities

Discounted on-site gym and pool membership

Family-friendly policies

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience managing end-to-end procurement activity, ideally in a public sector or higher education environment.
• Strong working knowledge of public procurement legislation and best practice.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills.
• A commitment to delivering measurable value, quality, and compliance.
• The ability to think strategically, analyse spend data, and develop practical sourcing strategies.
• Familiarity with e-tendering platforms and contract management tools.
• An understanding of sustainable procurement and social value principles.
• A Business Partner / Critical Friend approach.

Responsibilities

• Lead the procurement of goods, works, and services.
• Deliver value for money and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Support strategic contract management and maximise social value.

Skills

End-to-end procurement management

Public procurement legislation knowledge

Stakeholder engagement

Strategic thinking

Sourcing strategy development

E-tendering platforms familiarity

Sustainable procurement knowledge

Constructive challenge abilities

Tools

ProContract

Job description

We are seeking an experienced and proactive Category Manager to join our growing Procurement & Value team at Aston University.

Working under the direction of the Head of Procurement & Value, you will lead the procurement of a diverse range of goods, works, and services. This is a pivotal role focused on delivering value for money, ensuring regulatory compliance, and supporting strategic contract management — all while maximising social value, compliance with modern slavery legislation, and sustainability outcomes for the University.

To be successful in this role, you will bring:

• Demonstrable experience managing end-to-end procurement activity, ideally in a public sector or higher education environment.
• Strong working knowledge of public procurement legislation and best practice.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills.
• A commitment to delivering measurable value, quality, and compliance.
• The ability to think strategically, analyse spend data, and develop practical sourcing strategies.
• Familiarity with e-tendering platforms (e.g., ProContract) and contract management tools.
• An understanding of sustainable procurement and social value principles.
• A Business Partner / Critical Friend approach, with the ability to provide constructive challenge to internal purchasers.

You’ll join a supportive and forward-thinking team, where innovation, collaboration, and development are actively encouraged.

What we offer:

• Aston University is a vibrant campus located within Birmingham city centre, which has excellent transport links via bus or train.
• Hybrid working is possible for this role – three days in the office, which means working both on campus and from home, depending on the activity.
• Excellent training and development opportunities.
• A generous annual leave scheme with 30 days’ bookable leave and a further 13 days of bank holiday and University closure days.
• Everyday discounts to several activities and retailers.
• Great family-friendly policies.
• On-site gym and pool with discounted staff membership available.

Aston University is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community. It promotes equality and diversity in all aspects of its work. We strive to have robust inclusivity strategies in place to encourage colleagues to have the confidence and freedom to be themselves in the workplace.

We recognise the value of flexible working. Please contact the recruiting manager to discuss what flexible working options are available for particular roles.

If you require the job details document or an application form in an alternative format, please contact the recruitment team.