Category Manager

University of Winchester; Winchester; Hybrid; GBP 41,000 - 46,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Beautiful campus

Hybrid work

Benefits & discounts

Learning & development

On-site gym

Pension scheme

Generous holiday

Job summary

The University of Winchester is seeking an experienced Procurement Category Manager to drive strategic procurement across Estates, Professional Services and IT. You will deliver high-quality category strategies and work with decentralised faculties to manage tenders and contracts, contributing to university-wide objectives.

The role offers hybrid working, a comprehensive benefits package, and opportunities for professional development. Interview dates are planned for 4 and 5 November 2026.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in procurement and category management.
• Experience delivering category strategies across university or large organisations.
• Ability to coordinate tender processes and contract management across decentralised teams.

Responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality, strategic procurement across diverse categories.
• Shape and deliver category strategies that align with university objectives.
• Develop university-wide category and commodity strategies with the Procurement Manager.

Job description

Applications close at midnight on the date stated below, late applications will not be accepted.

Job details

Job reference 3280 Date posted 29/09/2026 Application closing date 13/10/2026 Salary £41,064 to £46,049 per annum Package Full time, 37 hours per week. Fixed Term 18 month Contract Contractual hours Blank Basis Blank Job category/type Professional Services (Administration, Technical) Attachments FIN-B37 - Category Manager - JD.pdf Information sheet - UoW Group - 2026.pdf

The University is looking to appoint an experienced Procurement Category Manager to support strategic procurement across a number of varied commodity areas including Estates, Professional Services and IT. You will be joining the University at an exciting time as we look to develop procurement from a reactive function to a strategic, value adding service.

Procurement at the University of Winchester is decentralised meaning that Faculties and Professional Services are responsible for managing their own procurement activity. Guidance and support is provided by the Procurement Manager and often entails the full management of tendering and contract management. As the University grows, so has the need for a more formal approach to procurement.

The Category Manager will deliver high-quality, strategic procurement across a diverse and complex organisation. The role will shape and deliver category strategies that support University wide objectives in key high spend areas.

You will be part of a team lead by the Procurement Manager developing and delivering agreed University-wide category and commodity strategies which align with the University's Procurement strategies, objectives and aspirations.

As a University group we believe our offer is compelling. This includes:

• Beautiful campus and working environment
• Hybrid working possibilities for many roles
• Broad range of benefits and discount schemes
• Learning and Development opportunities
• Health and wellbeing provision, including on site gym
• Competitive salary framework, including annual increments
• Defined contribution pension scheme
• Generous holiday entitlements

Employer

• Internal applicants: your employer will remain unchanged
• External applications: University of Winchester Services Ltd

Interview Date: 4 & 5 November 2026

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