Senior Category Manager

Michael Page; Reading; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Michael Page is recruiting a Senior Category Manager for SUPC to lead procurement across the Not For Profit sector, shaping category plans and end-to-end sourcing. You will manage supplier relationships and purchasing activity to support well-governed decisions across Professional Services and some IT.

The role involves developing category strategies, conducting tenders, and ensuring value for money for higher education members.

Qualifications

• Experience of managing procurement categories and developing category plans.
• Strong sourcing and tender management capability.
• Experience of working with suppliers and reviewing supplier performance.
• The ability to manage contracts and purchasing activity with care and accuracy.
• Confidence working with stakeholders to understand and meet procurement needs.
• Clear commercial judgement when assessing supplier proposals and purchasing options.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver category plans.
• Lead sourcing activity from requirements to supplier selection and contract award.
• Build and maintain productive supplier relationships to support reliable service and value.
• Work with internal stakeholders to understand purchasing needs and shape practical solutions.
• Manage tender processes and keep procurement activity organised and well documented.
• Review supplier performance and address issues to maintain agreed standards.
• Provide category insight to help stakeholders make informed purchasing decisions.
• Maintain accurate procurement records and reports to support effective category management.

Skills

Category management

Sourcing & Tendering

Supplier management

Stakeholder engagement

Commercial judgement

Job description

As a Senior Category Manager in the SUPC, you will lead procurement activity across the Not For Profit sector and help teams secure goods and services that meet their needs. You will manage category plans, supplier relationships and purchasing activity to support clear, well-managed decisions across Professional Services and some IT.

Client Details

About SUPC and The SUMS Group

We help universities and colleges buy smarter. Members use our frameworks and support services to make sure their procurement activities deliver value for money to students, staff and wider communities. Aside from the benefits of membership, SUPC is part of The SUMS Group (SUMS). The SUMS Group (SUMS) is a dynamic and values-focused organisation dedicated to supporting the UK's Higher Education sector across our two operating divisions, SUMS Consulting and Southern Universities Procurement Consortium (SUPC), and SUMS Consulting International, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the parent charity. As a charity and not-for-profit, we are part of the community we serve. Our vision is to be the expert partner of choice for universities, delivering tangible, sustainable impact through high-quality consulting and procurement services.

Our subscription model and commitment to return the majority of member-earned framework levy on organisational spend means many of our members are able to partially or fully cover the cost of their membership - plus some!

Description

The Category Manager leads the design, delivery, and end-to-end management of assigned procurement categories and framework agreements. They ensure commercial value, regulatory compliance, strong supplier performance, and high-quality outcomes for members. The role combines strategic category and framework development and end-to-end sourcing with responsibility for the effective mobilisation, operational governance, performance, and utilisation of the resulting framework portfolio. The Category Manager acts as the category lead, working with colleagues across SUPC to ensure frameworks remain relevant, well governed, commercially effective, and responsive to member needs.

• Develop and deliver category plans that meet procurement priorities and business requirements.
• Lead sourcing activity, from defining requirements through to supplier selection and contract award.
• Build and maintain productive supplier relationships to support reliable service and value.
• Work with internal stakeholders to understand purchasing needs and shape practical solutions.
• Manage tender processes and keep procurement activity clear, organised and well documented.
• Review supplier performance and address issues to maintain agreed standards.
• Provide category insight to help stakeholders make informed purchasing decisions.
• Maintain accurate procurement records and reports to support effective category management.

Profile

A successful 'Senior Category Manager' should have:

• Experience of managing procurement categories and developing category plans.
• Strong sourcing and tender management capability.
• Experience of working with suppliers and reviewing supplier performance.
• The ability to manage contracts and purchasing activity with care and accuracy.
• Confidence working with stakeholders to understand and meet procurement needs.
• Clear commercial judgement when assessing supplier proposals and purchasing options.

Job Offer

• Permanent Senior Category Manager position based in Earley Gate, Whiteknights Road.
• Salary of 50,000 to 55,000, dependent on the level of experience.
• Pension.

People are at the heart of Michael Page. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment. As an inclusive recruiter we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, identities and experiences. If you require any adjustments or accommodations during the recruitment process, we'll work with you to ensure you can perform at your best.