Procurement Category Lead - Estates

Location: Aston University John Cadbury House

As we move in 2025, we continue at pace to deliver against the Aston 2030 Strategy. A key enabler of our continued success and is driving value from our supply chain partners through strategic and high-quality procurement. Reporting to the Head of Procurement and Value, the Category Lead - Estates will contribute to the development of the University’s procurement function and be responsible for the procurement of contractors and consultants for the projects to deliver Aston's campus vision and masterplan, as well contracts for ongoing maintenance and repair, and smaller standalone projects. Your focus will be on quality, innovation, and value and you will have a proven track record in leading construction procurement. 

Our Campus Vision is ambitious; it will see us create a campus that offers an outstanding experience for our staff and students, bring improvements to surrounding communities and to the people of Birmingham and utilise the opportunities presented by our proximity to HS2, Innovation Birmingham, Eastside and the city centre. Our vision sets out our aspiration to invest significantly into the delivery of a Destination Campus to meet the changing demands and opportunities faced by universities evolving in response to these in order to secure Aston’s future success. 

You will be responsible for carrying out procurement for the University including running quotation/tendering processes from start to finish, strategic contract management whilst ensuring compliance with the University’s finance and procurement policies and regulations and ensuring best practice and value for money principles are upheld, maximising commercial and social value/sustainability benefits to the University.

We are looking for candidates with estates/construction procurement experience, including some public sector experience. You will have the ability to develop working relationships with key stakeholders across the University and a ‘can-do’ attitude and experience of delivering savings, negotiation and contract management. Ideally you will have a CIPS qualification or similar. 

You will contribute to Aston’s strategic aims and objectives, with particular focus on value for money, sustainability, and social value.

For informal enquiries about this position, you can contact Gurpal Singh Rai (raig1@aston.ac.uk)

What we offer:

• Aston University is a dynamic and vibrant campus located within Birmingham city centre, which has excellent transport links via bus or train.
• Dynamic working is possible for this role, which means working both on campus and from home dependent on the activity. Further information on dynamic working can be found here.
• Excellent training and development opportunities.
• A generous annual leave scheme with 30 days bookable leave and a further 13 days of bank holiday and University closure days.
• USS Pension Scheme.
• Great family-friendly policies.
• On-site gym and pool with discounted staff membership available.
• Everyday discounts to several activities and retailers, with further information on our Benefits and Rewards can be found here.

The salary and job description for this role are likely to meet the requirements for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa. Please see the Home Office Guidance: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/your-job 

Closing Date: 23.59 hours GMT on Friday 07 February 2025

Interview Date: To be confirmed

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