Senior Procurement Category Manager

ST Media Group; Bristol; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a leading higher education institution in Bristol as a Procurement Services Team member. This role focuses on implementing category management within Estates & Facilities and Business Services/IT, contributing to the university's strategic objectives. Ideal candidates will possess strong organizational skills, experience in public procurement, and the ability to manage multiple stakeholders. Enjoy a supportive work environment with various employee benefits.

Benefits

Competitive Pay

Generous Leave

Pension Schemes

Retail Discounts

Onsite Nursery

Training and Development Opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience in complex procurement and managing competing demands.
• Broad understanding of public sector sourcing arrangements.

Responsibilities

• Conduct category management and procurement activities.
• Manage end-to-end tender processes and supplier relationships.
• Liaise with stakeholders to secure buy-in and identify routes to market.

Skills

Organizational Skills

Stakeholder Management

Negotiation

Education

Degree or Equivalent

Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply Membership

Job description

The Procurement Services Team is part of the Finance, Estates & Commercial Services Professional Service. Contributing to the University 2030 People, Purpose, Place strategy, we are changing our approach and implementing Category Management to align our service provision to the university strategy.

We are looking to appoint a new team member to support the implementation of category management in our two key pillars of activity, covering Estates & Facilities and Business Services/IT.

This role will align with one of the two pillars, working to achieve objectives in support of Strategy 2030. Additionally, the role will take responsibility for either the Purpose or Place strategy element of our strategic Procurement plan. This is an exciting opportunity to bring your knowledge and experience to help transform procurement while developing and implementing category plans.

The procurement team is responsible for circa £100 - £120 million non-pay (excluding capital) expenditure across the University. This post will contribute to making the procurement team an integral strategic function across the University, delivering Value for Money outcomes for both capital and revenue expenditure, and championing sustainability and equality initiatives.

Our Procurement vision and strategy align with the university values and outline how we want to contribute to UWE life. Please see the attached document to learn how you could make a difference.

About you

We seek a self-motivated and highly organized individual to carry out category management and procurement activities. Responsibilities include liaising with stakeholders, understanding their needs, securing buy-in, identifying routes to market, sourcing suppliers, managing tenders, monitoring performance, and ensuring legal compliance.

You will be responsible for a broad range of procurement and category management activities, including the introduction of category management, developing tender plans, managing end-to-end tender processes, and contract & supplier relationship management. A broad understanding of public sector sourcing arrangements is required, and experience with public procurement rules would be advantageous.

You should be educated to degree level or equivalent and ideally be a member of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply. Experience in complex procurement, working with multiple stakeholders, and managing competing demands is essential. The successful candidate must have knowledge and experience of UK Procurement regulations.

Location

This role is based at our vibrant Frenchay campus, equipped with the latest facilities to support staff and students.

Why UWE Bristol?

We are one of the largest Higher Education providers in the South West, with 38,000 students and 4,000 staff from around the world. Located in Bristol, a dynamic city, we are regionally embedded and globally connected, with strong employer and academic partnerships.

We offer various employee benefits, including competitive pay, generous leave, pension schemes, retail discounts, onsite nursery, and opportunities for training and development.

Join Us

UWE Bristol values a diverse community. We are committed to inclusivity and encourage applications from all backgrounds, especially from the global majority, as we are underrepresented in this area. We are also a Disability Confident employer and welcome applicants with disabilities.

Additional Information

This is a full-time, permanent role (37 hours/week). It can also be part-time via job share. The role is primarily campus-based, requiring at least 3 days on campus with potential for remote work on other days, depending on workload.

Salary offers will align with university guidelines, based on skills and experience.

Right to Work

You must provide proof of your right to work in the UK. We may sponsor eligible candidates under the Skilled Worker visa route; please review our guidance to determine eligibility. UWE Bristol does not cover visa or surcharge costs.

Application Advice

If interested, please complete our application form promptly. Describe how your skills and experience meet each criterion in the Person Specification, providing specific examples. We will inform shortlisted candidates via email.