Procurement Manager

Newcastle University; Newcastle upon Tyne; Hybrid; GBP 34,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

An exciting opportunity awaits within the Procurement Services team at a prestigious university. This role involves leading the Laboratory and Medical Services category, managing contracts, and ensuring compliance with procurement regulations. Ideal candidates will possess strong negotiation skills and a strategic mindset to address the evolving needs of the university. Join a supportive environment that values professional development and offers flexible working options. This is your chance to make a significant impact in a dynamic and inclusive workplace that prioritizes diversity and equality.

Benefits

Generous holiday package

Opportunity to buy additional leave

Great pension schemes

Health and wellbeing initiatives

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of contract law and procurement regulations.
• Experience in category management and project management.

Responsibilities

• Lead category tender management and contract negotiation.
• Manage contracts and framework agreements effectively.

Skills

Contract Law

Public Procurement Regulations

Procurement Category Management

Project Management

Negotiation Skills

Communication Skills

Interpersonal Skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business or related subject

Professional membership (MCIPS)

Job description

Salary: £34,866 to £45,163 and the role currently attracts a £10k annual market supplement, in addition to base salary.

Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits. We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes, and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.

Closing Date: 19 January 2025

The Role

We have an exciting opportunity within Procurement Services and are keen to encourage interest from Procurement professionals to join our team within Newcastle University’s Finance Hub.

The Hub is a large team of skilled and experienced colleagues who manage the financial business activities of the University. We provide a professional and proactive service to our students, colleagues, and stakeholders. We are committed to supporting the personal and professional development of our team; this opportunity would therefore be ideal for a colleague keen for further progression, responsibility, and continued career development.

Your role will be to lead the Laboratory and Medical Services category through effective and compliant category tender management and contract negotiation, reporting into the Senior Procurement Manager. Your role will be responsible for an Assistant Procurement Manager whom you will line manage.

We are particularly keen to hear from candidates who can build relationships with key stakeholders at all levels in the organisation to effectively solve problems and be able to demonstrate this clearly in the application. To be highly successful in this role, you will bring with you the ability to think strategically to meet the changing and complex needs of our business. You should be both a competent and efficient category manager who is either experienced at or willing to upskill your technical understanding and knowledge of the Laboratory and Medical Services category to ensure a valued service is delivered.

You will be empowered to put your stamp on your respective category and will be supported on your journey.

We are happy to have discussions about flexible working and hybrid working is available for this position.

To apply please complete an online application and upload a CV and a cover letter. Your cover letter is a supporting statement and you should outline how you meet the essential criteria of the role and evidence this with examples.

Interviews will be held on January 27th & 28th 2025.

Key Accountabilities

1. Proactively manage contracts and framework agreements within their portfolio of procurement projects through the full procurement life cycle of concept; requirements gathering; tendering; assessment; contract negotiation and award; in-contract escalation and resolution; and end of contract.
2. Provide an effective procurement service relating to all aspects of category management including development of appropriate category management strategies; performance measures; ensuring and reporting upon compliance with audit requirements, Public Procurement Regulations, value for money, and University policies and procedures.
3. Lead the category and provide guidance to stakeholders across the University on the operation of structured engagements and management plans for all suppliers of works, goods, and services within the procurement category.
4. Negotiate and agree contractual terms and subsequently, on behalf of the University, sign contracts, commercial agreements and award contracts for the supply of works, goods, and services.
5. Working with University stakeholders, negotiate with suppliers to resolve procurement contract conflicts and disagreements to obtain the best possible resolution for the University taking into account contractual responsibilities and potential legal repercussions.
6. Ensure that suppliers (and sub-contractors) are appointed on appropriate and proportionate terms and conditions cognisant of the risk profile of each contract. E.g., on a contract-by-contract basis consider appropriate insurance cover, data protection clauses, limits of liability, social value and modern slavery considerations.
7. Working with key internal and external stakeholders, recommend new and updated procedures related to best practice in procurement category management, to ensure they meet the requirements of both.
8. Effective engagement and representation with regional, national and international sector, category and related bodies to ensure the University’s needs are reflected.

The Person

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

1. A current and comprehensive understanding of contract law and Public Procurement Regulations.
2. Working knowledge of customs and excise procedures.
3. Demonstrable skills in procurement category management and project management.
4. Extensive experience in drafting and negotiating complex contractual documents.
5. Excellent oral and written communication skills.
6. Excellent inter-personal and negotiation skills.
7. Extensive experience of working to tight deadlines without supervision.

Attributes and Behaviour

1. Comfortable working at a complex level; multi-disciplinary and multi-site considerations, School/Service/Faculty/University priorities and conflicting demands.
2. Works through the implications of situations in order to identify the most appropriate way forward to meet strategic goals.
3. Understands the regional, national and global procurement context, financial trends, government policies and their impact on the University.
4. Gets involved in external groups across H.E. and other relevant sectors.
5. Operates in a number of different teams and groups across the organisation.
6. Anticipates future demands for staff, information etc.
7. Considers large amounts of complex information quickly and identifies key issues.

Qualifications

1. Bachelor's degree / graduate in a business or related subject or extensive experience in procurement.
2. Professional membership Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (MCIPS, Qualification Level).

Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution.

We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society. We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams; we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population.

At Newcastle University we hold a silver Athena Swan award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality. We also hold a Race Equality Charter Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education. We are a Disability Confident employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role as part of the offer and interview scheme.

In addition, we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe.