Category Manager

Education Authority; Ballymena; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A governmental educational body in Northern Ireland seeks a Category Manager to oversee procurement strategies and contract management. The role involves managing relationships with stakeholders, ensuring compliance with procurement legislation, and delivering maximum value through effective category management. Candidates must have a relevant degree, extensive experience in procurement, and strong leadership capabilities. A proactive mindset and communication skills are essential for success in this position.

Qualifications

• Hold a Bachelor’s Degree or higher qualification and have two years’ experience in Procurement or five years in Procurement.
• Experience in management or supervision of staff.
• Knowledge of applying Procurement Legislation including the Procurement Act 2023.

Responsibilities

• Manage a Procurement Category to deliver effective category management strategies.
• Develop and manage an effective category management team.
• Provide accurate and professional procurement advice across EA.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Pro-active approach

Ability to assess supply chain management

Education

Bachelor's Degree or equivalent

Tools

e-TendersNI

Oracle Procure to Pay system

Job description

Job Title

Category Manager, Pupil Services and Procurement

Reports To

Senior Category Manager

Job Purpose

The Category Manager will assist the Senior Category Manager and the Head of Procurement to ensure the successful implementation and delivery of a compliant, consistent and professional procurement service within EA. The Category Manager will be responsible for the effective delivery of fit for purpose contracts that maximise value throughout the commercial lifecycle of contracts. They will assist the Senior Category Manager in developing and implementing category management strategies to achieve the aims and objectives of EA, delivering value for money and supply chain improvement, embedding efficient and effective procurement processes that ensure procurement compliance across EA and provide a customer focussed Commercial and Procurement Service whilst providing professional procurement advice and support in line with the Procurement Legislation including the Procurement Act 2023 and Public Contract Regulations (2015), Northern Ireland Public Procurement Policy (NIPPP) and Procurement Policy Notes (PPNs).

Principal Duties

• 1.1. Management of a Procurement Category to deliver effective category management strategies based upon business needs and emerging trends and manage contract reviews ensuring contract performance is managed in line with KPIs and customer requirements.
• 1.2. Manage and develop an effective category management team to ensure competent and sustainable procurement resources are available to meet the needs of EA.
• 1.3. Develop category level intelligent customer networks (stakeholder experts who will be utilised to provide advice and guidance to procurements) and manage ongoing relationships with EA Departments and wider EA customers.
• 1.4. Manage strategic supplier relationship management to identify performance improvements.
• 1.5. Work with other CoPEs to develop collaborative strategies for category.
• 1.6. Developing contract management and supplier relationship management strategies as integral aspects of procurement activity.
• 1.7. Proactively engage in pre-market engagement and regular market sounding to establish feasibility, capacity, capability and encourage innovation.
• 1.8. Build working relationships with procurement professionals from other CoPEs and continually benchmark and regularly examine best practice to ensure EA are leading in category level innovative procurement.
• 1.9. Apply appropriate risk management methodologies and provide support for reporting staff fin high value/high risk contracts.
• 1.10. Develop an understanding of the category expenditure, policy, regulatory, legislative or supply and demand issues.
• 1.11. Ensure all procurement activity within category is conducted in line with EA QMS and complies with Procurement Legislation including the Procurement Act 2023 and Public Contract Regulations (2015) and Procurement Policy Notes (PPNs).
• 1.12. Provide accurate, professional and expert advice and guidance across the EA on all procurement related matters.
• 1.13. Manage the category team to ensure that all tenders and contracts are awarded on time and are effectively managed to deliver maximum benefit to EA.
• 1.14. Plan, lead and manage the workload within the sub-category specific procurement pipeline, linking into the wider category and EA procurement pipelines and achievement of deadlines for contract implementation.
• 1.15. Promote an efficiency culture within EA Procurement that critically analyses and challenge existing practices, be innovative in proposing and leading initiatives that result in service enhancement.
• 1.16. Ensure mandatory use of e-tendering system and the quality management system for all tender processes and contract management.
• 1.17. Where opportunities for collaboration exist, proactively work in conjunction with CPD and other CoPEs to drive the efficiency agenda.
• 1.18. Provide regular management information and analysis on contracts and supplier performance.
• 1.19. Analyse requests for DACs and provide advice to Senior Category Manager and/or the Procurement Compliance Manager and/or the Head of Procurement.

This job description will be subject to review in light of changing circumstances and is not intended to be rigid and inflexible but should be regarded as providing guidelines within which the individual works. Other duties of a similar nature and appropriate to the grade may be assigned from time to time.

In accordance with Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act (1998), the post-holder is expected to promote good relations, equality of opportunity and pay due regard for equality legislation at all times.

Terms and Conditions

Terms and conditions are set out in the summary of terms and conditions for this post.

Essential Criteria

• Hold a Bachelor’s Degree (UK Qualification and Credit Framework Level 6) or an equivalent or higher qualification and have two years’ experience working in Procurement OR have five years' experience working in Procurement.
• Have two years’ experience in the management or supervision of staff.
• Have three years’ experience of managing the full procurement and contract management lifecycle.
• Knowledge: Knowledge and experience of applying Procurement Legislation including the Procurement Act 2023 and Public Contract Regulations (2015), Northern Ireland Public Procurement Policy (NIPPP) and Procurement Policy Notes (PPNs).
• Other Willingness to work towards achieving CIPS (Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply Chain Management) qualification.
• The successful candidate will be required: to have access to a suitable vehicle (appropriately maintained and insured for Education Authority business) that will enable them to carry out the mobility requirements of the post in an efficient and effective manner and thus meet this essential criterion; OR be able to provide sufficient information on the application form that will satisfy the employer that he/she has access to an appropriate alternative form of transport that will enable them to carry out the mobility requirements of the post in an efficient and effective manner and thus meet this essential criterion.

Additional Essential Criteria

• Excellent communication skills and be able to communicate effectively with staff, customers and suppliers at all levels.
• Ability to assess objectively all aspects in the management of the supply chain.
• Have a pro‑active and self‑motivated approach.
• Evidence of how your experience and approach to work reflect EA’s ethos and values.

Desirable Criteria

• Have experience in the operation of the e‑TendersNI.
• Have experience in the operation of an Oracle based Procure to Pay system.
• Ability to plan, manage and implement change.

Disclosure of Criminal Background

The Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups (Northern Ireland) Order 2007 defines working directly with children or young people or in specified places as ‘regulated activity’. In the event that you are recommended for appointed to a post that involves ‘regulated activity’, the Education Authority will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure of Criminal Background. Please note that you WILL be expected to meet the cost of an Enhanced Disclosure Certificate. Details of how to make payment will be sent to you at the pre‑employment stage.

Applicant Guidance Notes

To view the applicant guidance notes, please click here.

Benefits

To learn about the many great benefits of joining the Education Authority.

Equal Opportunities

The Education Authority is an Equal Opportunities Employer.