Category / Project Buyer

University of Oxford; England; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious educational institution in the United Kingdom seeks a procurement expert to manage high-value tenders and supplier relationships. In this varied role, you will work closely with Purchasing Managers, lead procurement projects, and develop strategies while engaging stakeholders. Candidates should possess strong communication, analytical, and negotiation skills, along with a degree-level education or relevant experience. Benefits include generous leave, flexible working, and a strong pension scheme.

Benefits

38 days of annual leave

Generous family leave schemes

Hybrid working options

Excellent pension scheme

Sustainable commuting options

Access to community clubs

Responsibilities

• Manage high-value, high-risk tendering exercises from requirements to contract award.
• Lead supplier negotiations and convert outcomes into contractual agreements.
• Support category management initiatives through data analysis and market research.
• Build relationships with internal stakeholders to understand needs.
• Monitor supplier performance and market trends over contract lifecycle.
• Represent the University in procurement groups and consortia.

Skills

Supplier negotiation

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Organisational skills

Education

Degree-level education or equivalent professional experience

Full CIPS membership or willingness to work towards it

Tools

Word

Excel

Job description

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.

Responsibilities

• 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.

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

Essential qualifications

• 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.

Desirable qualifications

• Experience developing and implementing category management plans.
• Familiarity with e‑catalogues.

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 well‑being, development, and aspirations. Apply now to become part of our extraordinary legacy.

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/

Benefits

• 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.