Category Manager

Closing Date: 04 September 2024 

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. 

We are open to discussions about flexible working to a minimum of 34 hours.

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. 

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.

A full job description is available on the OU Career page 

What you get in return

We have a strong commitment to providing training and development in and beyond your current role. This includes thorough induction into the organisation and regular reviews of your training and development needs.

We also offer a great range of benefits that support our employees and their families for the long term. Staff Benefits include an attractive pension proposition and 33 days holiday per annum pro rata, plus 8 Bank Holidays and 3 extra Christmas closure days.

Please click 'Apply’ button above to be redirected to our application page.

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