Category Manager (x 2)

_{About the Role}

The Procurement Services team provides professional commercial services to support the delivery of value for the goods and services purchased across the University, ensuring all procurement activities obtain value for money, comply with all legal obligations and manage risk, through robust and responsible procurement processes.

Due to internal career progression following a retirement vacancy 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 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. 

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 a minimum of once a month with the option to attend weekly as desired. 

We are open to discussions about flexible working to a minimum of 34 hours. Please reach out to us to discuss what works best for you.

_{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 through the use of 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 of procuring software / systems, IT related hardware and digital related services and / or specialist laboratory equipment and equipment maintenance in the public sector using framework agreements or in accordance with Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (PCR 2015). 
• 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 or knowledge of public sector procurement, PCR 2015 and an awareness of the Procurement Act 2023 (PA23). 
• Experience reviewing, drafting and negotiation of commercial contractual documents.

_Desirable

• Understanding of IT related working practices such as ITIL, and waterfall and agile methods of development and implementation. 
• Understanding of research grant funding and related procurements.
• 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.

_{Essential Requirements}

As part of the application process, you are required to submit your CV and a Supporting Statement (of no more than 1000 words) that demonstrates how you meet the essential criteria detailed under skills & experience. 

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