Senior Procurement Category Manager

University West of England; West of England; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in the UK is seeking a Procurement Specialist to manage category management and procurement activities. The role involves liaising with stakeholders, developing tender plans, and ensuring compliance with procurement rules. Ideal candidates will have a degree, relevant experience, and ideally hold a membership with the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply. This full-time position is based on-site at the Frenchay campus.

Qualifications

• Self-motivated and highly organised individual for procurement activities.
• Experience in IT/software procurement is advantageous.
• Broad understanding of public sector sourcing arrangements.

Responsibilities

• Manage a wide range of procurement and category management activities.
• Develop tender plans and manage the end-to-end tender process.
• Ensure legal compliance and supplier relationship management.

Skills

Category management

Stakeholder liaison

Tender management

Public sector sourcing

Education

Degree level or equivalent

Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply membership

Job description

About this role

The Procurement Services Team is part of the Finance, Estates & Commercial Services Professional Service. Contributing to the University 2030 People, Purpose, Place strategy, we have recently changed our approach to Procurement and so now focus on Category Management to ensure that we align our service provision to the university strategy. We are looking to appoint a new team member to support our two key pillars of activity, covering Estates/Commercial Services and Business Services/ IT. This role will align with one of the two pillars working to achieve objectives in support of Strategy 2030. In addition, the role will also take responsibility for either the Purpose or Place strategy element of our strategic Procurement plan. This is an exciting opportunity as you will bring your knowledge and experience to help us transform procurement whilst developing and reviewing category plans.

For this vacancy experience IT/ software procurement would be advantageous.

The procurement team is responsible for circa £100 - £120 million non-pay (exc. capital) expenditure across the University. This post will contribute to making the procurement team an integral strategic function across the University, to deliver Value for Money outcomes for both capital and revenue expenditure, as well as championing sustainability and equality initiatives. Our Procurement vision and strategy align to the university values and sets out how we want to contribute to UWE life.

About you

We are seeking a self-motivated and highly organised individual to carry out category management and procurement activities. Liaising with stakeholders to understand their needs, ensure their buy in, identifying routes to market, sourcing suppliers, managing tenders, monitoring performance and ensuring legal compliance – all are part and parcel of this interesting, varied and vital role.

• You will be responsible for a wide range of procurement and category management activities. This will include category management, developing tender plans, management of the end-to-end tender process including contract and supplier relationship management.
• The role requires a broad understanding of public sector sourcing arrangements. Experience of the public procurement rules would be an advantage.

You will be educated to degree level or equivalent and ideally be a member of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply. Experienced in complex procurement, working with multiple stakeholders in detailed organisational structures, you will be decisive, focused on priorities, goal driven and able to effectively manage competing demands for your time.

Where is this role based?

This post is based on site at our lively Frenchay campus where we have invested in the latest facilities and resources to give both our staff and students access to everything they need to succeed.

Further information

If you would like to speak to us to find out more about this role please contact Helen Baker, Procurement Director on 0117 328 2239 or email: [e-mail]

This is a full time, permanent post, working 37 hours per week.

Interviews for this role will take place on 21st October 2025 at our Frenchay Campus.