Senior Category Manager - Estates and Campus Services

UNIVERSITY OF PORTSMOUTH; City of Westminster; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent UK university is seeking a Senior Category Manager to lead high-impact procurement initiatives. The role involves managing a team of professionals, engaging with senior stakeholders, and delivering value-for-money solutions. The university offers hybrid working with a commitment to professional development and a work-life balance. Strong procurement experience and leadership skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Strong procurement experience, particularly in public sector or complex environments.
• Proven team leadership and capability in engaging senior stakeholders.
• Passion for making procurement smarter and more efficient.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic, multi-year procurement plans.
• Manage and mentor a team of Procurement Managers and Officers.
• Engage senior stakeholders across various departments.

Skills

Strong procurement experience

Team leadership and stakeholder management

Excellent communication

Education

Degree or equivalent experience

MCIPS or equivalent

Job description

Ready to lead high-impact procurement that shapes the future of a top UK university? We're looking for a strategic and driven Senior Category Manager to join our fantastic Procurement team at the University of Portsmouth. You'll lead a team of talented professionals, drive category plans, and deliver value‑for‑money solutions that make a real difference.

Hybrid working is offered with 2 days in the office and the rest remotely.

What you’ll do

• Lead strategic, multi‑year procurement plans
• Manage and mentor a team of Procurement Managers and Officers
• Engage senior stakeholders across Estates and Campus Services
• Navigate complex procurement landscapes with confidence and creativity
• Be the go‑to expert for procurement strategy and compliance

Qualifications

• Strong procurement experience (public sector or complex environments a plus)
• Team leadership and stakeholder management skills
• MCIPS or working towards (or equivalent experience)
• A passion for making procurement smarter, faster, better
• A degree or equivalent experience, ideally supported by MCIPS or similar professional accreditation
• Strong leadership skills with experience managing and motivating teams
• Excellent communication, stakeholder engagement, and contract management capabilities

Why Join Us?

We are committed to delivering excellence and innovation, and our Procurement team plays a critical role in supporting this vision. You'll be part of a collaborative team that values openness, responsibility, and ambition, working in an environment that supports professional development and work‑life balance. Disability Confident.

About Disability Confident

A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high‑volume, seasonal and high‑peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non‑disabled people. For more details please go to .