About the Role

Flexible working 
We are open to discussing flexible working, up to a minimum of 34 hours. Please contact us to discuss what works best for you.

Work location 
It is anticipated that a hybrid working pattern can be adopted for this role, where you can work from home and the office. However, as this role is contractually aligned to our Milton Keynes office it is expected that some attendance in the office will be required when necessary and in response to business needs. We’d expect this to be mandatory attendance once a month with the option to attend weekly as desired. 

About the role
Procurement Services is a well-respected team that provides expert procurement advice to colleagues across the University in purchasing a wide range of goods and services that are vital in the delivery of the University’s mission. 
The team helps ensure that procurement activities obtain value for money and comply with all legal obligations through robust and responsible procurement processes.  

Due to internal career progression and the expansion of the team, we are recruiting for two (2) Category Managers positions to support the Digital Services and STEM categories. The Category Manager role is a key role in the team which provides a professional procurement service including, stakeholder engagement, tendering, commercial negotiation, and supplier management to internal customers, ensuring that value for money is achieved, and procurement decisions consider financial, environmental, health & safety and ethical policies and regulations. 

Key Responsibilities

• Work with key stakeholders to develop sourcing strategies for procurement projects providing advice and guidance on potential procurement routes and evaluation approaches, having considered all key commercial and regulatory risks.
• Manage tendering activity in accordance with internal and external policies and regulations. 
• Working in collaboration with key stakeholders, develop appropriate tender documentation ensuring sourcing projects are delivered efficiently and effectively. 
• Manage post tender clarifications and negotiations with suppliers, taking legal advice where required, securing the best possible terms and conditions.  
• Report preparation, such as post tender evaluation reports and management information reports to support category plans, pipeline planning and savings reporting. 
• Review, manage and action purchase requisitions, single source justification, new vendor and low value contract requests to ensure they are processed and executed in line with university policies. 
• Liaise with the requisitioner, suppliers and other stakeholders such as legal services and data protection teams where required to ensure appropriate contractual documents are in place for purchases.
• Proactively assess and resolve procurement queries and issues related to projects or requisitions as required.
• Proactively build and maintain networks and working relationships with stakeholders across the University at multiple levels using appropriate verbal and written communications (e.g. meetings, phone, email, reports). 
• Undertake specific tasks and projects at the request of the Head of Procurement, Deputy Head of Procurement and Senior Category Manager. 
   

Skills and Experience

Essential

• CIPS qualified or commensurate experience
• Experience or knowledge of public sector procurement, PCR 2015 and an awareness of the Procurement Act 2023 (PA23) and / or experience of procuring software, systems, IT related hardware and digital related services or specialist laboratory equipment.
• Excellent communication and commercial negotiation skills, ability to network with stakeholders at all levels of the business.
• Experience of working with staff at all levels to develop project sourcing strategies for key areas of spend. 
• Experience of preparing and drafting tender documentation under official PCR 2015 procurement procedures, public sector frameworks and sub-PCR threshold procurements. 
• Experience reviewing, drafting and negotiation of commercial contractual documents.

Desirable

• Knowledge of data protection principles and experience of GDPR legislation.
• Understanding of information and cyber security practices.
• Completed PA23 Government Commercial College training.
• Knowledge of Responsible Procurement principles and sustainability practices.
• Understanding of research grant 

Essential Requirements

As part of the application process, you will be expected to submit your CV which details how you meet the essential and desirable criteria listed above.

*Early Close:  We reserve the right to close adverts sooner than the closing date.