Group Head of Category Management

Turning passion into purpose: London South Bank University (LSBU) is looking for a skilled and experienced manager to lead its category management team. Ideally having worked in the Higher Education sector, you will lead the team across all aspects of University procurement.

The Head of Category Management will lead procurements and manage contracts across all categories and work on non-category specific areas and externally funded projects. The post holder will also lead on procurements for the wider London South Bank University Group.

The role will include developing category strategies and leading sourcing plans and tendering. The post holder will manage contract negotiations and support supplier performance management.

The post holder will also be required to develop strong working relationships to support best practice across the University.

About You:

You should possess strong commercial, analytical and reporting skills, with the ability to communicate effectively, influence stakeholders and lead others to drive improvements.

Proactive and results focused, you will have achieved a professional MCIPS / NVQ level 6 or above, in addition to extensive experience of working in a procurement role in a complex environment.

You will have significant experience in a range of category management and procurement programmes and will also have experience and success in managing senior level contract negotiations with large suppliers and stakeholders.

You will build successful internal working relationships with budget managers and other stakeholders.

An ability to analyse external markets and reports to inform procurement strategy and financial decision making is equally important, as is specialist knowledge of procurement practices, including sourcing, contract management, procurement law, EU/UK procurement directives and public contract regulations.

Benefits and How to Apply:

As a leading Higher Education Institution LSBU offers staff a highly competitive benefits package including holiday entitlement starting at 26.5 days per annum, professional development opportunities and flexible working. Full details on the range of benefits we offer can be found here.

The person specification for this role alongside applicant guidance on what to submit within your application can be found within the candidate pack attached. Applications must be submitted via the "Apply Online" button below.

For an informal conversation ahead of applying please feel free to contact the hiring manager for this position, Laurence Few, Group Head of Procurement and Payments on fewl@lsbu.ac.uk 

The closing date for applications is Sunday 16^th February 2025 at 11.59pm

Interview/assessment - week commencing 24^th February 2025

We are happy to talk flexible working and reasonable adjustments and aim to make our recruitment and selection process accessible to all, please contact us to discuss any support you need. The diversity of LSBU’s staff and students is a source of our strength and the richness of ideas and perspectives that this diversity brings makes LSBU a unique place to work.

Depending on your circumstances, this role may be eligible for sponsorship under the UKVI Skilled Worker route, more details on this can be found within the candidate pack.

If you have any questions related to your application, please email the recruitment team hrdsr@lsbu.ac.uk

We reserve the right to close the vacancy early, should we receive sufficient applications.

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