Category Manager x 2
| Posting date: | 24 April 2025 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £40,497 to £44,128 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 24 May 2025 |
| Location: | Headington, Oxford |
| Remote working: | Hybrid - work remotely up to 3 days per week |
| Company: | Oxford Brookes University |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 178744 |
Summary
Oxford Brookes University is distinctive in nature. We are a modern and forward-thinking institution rooted in and connected to a city with a rich history of culture and learning. We are a globally recognised University focused on providing high-quality teaching, delivering impactful research and an excellent student experience. Our vision is simple: “shape tomorrow through our unique blend of the modern and the traditional, by embracing diversity, seeking out the new and excelling in education and research.”
Our people are at the heart of the University - our excellence in teaching, research and knowledge exchange depends on the engagement, capability and wellbeing of our people. We strive to create and encourage an environment where people have the opportunity to develop, progress and thrive.
In acknowledgment of our commitment to gender equality and progression, we proudly hold the Athena SWAN Bronze award, a testament to our unwavering dedication to creating an inclusive and equitable environment for all. Join us at Oxford Brookes University, where every step forward is a leap toward a brighter tomorrow.
The Category Manager for Professional and Business Services and the Category Manager for People and Development Services are roles that lead, own and manage spend categories to develop and hone category strategies, and to drive and implement strategic sourcing decisions.
Based at our Headington campus and reporting to the Senior Category Manager the Category Managers will be responsible for delivering significant cashable savings from the spend category of at least 10% cashable savings over the next three years, whilst supporting and enabling University colleagues in delivering their savings objectives.
Please see the accompanying Campaign Document, detailed Job Description and Person Specification for full details.
The Strategic Procurement Team at Oxford Brookes is evolving and redefining the way we deliver services.
Our small procurement team is growing, and moving to a category management approach and structure that aligns with the University’s strategic vision and objectives. We are developing a strategic, coordinated procurement approach that improves commerciality, risk management, and service quality across the University, from the c.£50 million that the University spends annually on goods, services, and works, purchased from a multitude of suppliers.
What will I be doing?
As Category Manager you will manage and undertake procurement and contract management activities within the spend category across the University.
- Develop and implement short, medium and long-term procurement strategies for the spend categories to deliver cashable savings, efficiency gains, and long-term value creation in collaboration with University and FLS colleagues.
- Undertake all procurement activities within the spend category, including establishing preferred suppliers.
- Prepare tender documentation on e-tendering solutions and go out to the market to ensure value for money and compliance in each tender and contract.
- Undertake procurements/tenders, undertake contract management meetings, and undertake supplier relationships and supplier performance improvement activities etc.
- Undertake relevant complex or high-risk procurement activities, and all those carried out under the Procurement Act 2023, to ensure strict compliance.
- Assist, guide and facilitate University colleagues in the evaluation/moderation of tender responses where required.
- Work with the Senior Category Manager(s) and Strategic Category Lead(s) to ensure the University meets its designated annual savings targets.
What skills do I need?
- Strong leadership and influencing skills
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Excellent collaborative working skills to foster positive stakeholder relationships.
- Excellent analytical skills for risk assessment and data-driven decision-making.
- Proactive, adaptable and can manage multiple priorities
- Procurement governance, policy, and legislative compliance knowledge and skills.
- Strategic sourcing and category management expertise.
Based at our Headington Campus, you’ll experience the vibrant campus atmosphere and benefit from our modern office environment. This role will be hybrid and we expect attendance on campus for at least 1-2 days per week, which may increase during 2026 and 2027 as our hybrid working policies evolve over time.
As an Oxford Brookes employee, you will enjoy a total of a minimum of 25 days holiday, rising with your service, plus 8 Bank Holidays and additional University concessionary Days (approx 5 per year).
We have an extremely competitive Local Government Pension Scheme with a 19.2% Employer contribution rate, as well as providing all staff with financial education, a comprehensive employee assistance helpline.
We prioritise the well-being of our employees—both physically and mentally, as well as financially. That's why we provide a diverse and comprehensive benefits package to support our team.
At Oxford Brookes, inclusivity is one of our five guiding principles: we take positive steps to create an environment in which we celebrate, value and provide equal opportunity to all. We are committed to recruiting from the widest possible pool and welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates who embrace our values, regardless of their background.
As a Disability Confident Employer we guarantee to interview any disabled applicant who meets the essential selection criteria.
Our people are at the heart of the University - our excellence in teaching, research and knowledge exchange depends on the engagement, capability and wellbeing of our people. We strive to create and encourage an environment where people have the opportunity to develop, progress and thrive.
In acknowledgment of our commitment to gender equality and progression, we proudly hold the Athena SWAN Bronze award, a testament to our unwavering dedication to creating an inclusive and equitable environment for all. Join us at Oxford Brookes University, where every step forward is a leap toward a brighter tomorrow.
The Category Manager for Professional and Business Services and the Category Manager for People and Development Services are roles that lead, own and manage spend categories to develop and hone category strategies, and to drive and implement strategic sourcing decisions.
Based at our Headington campus and reporting to the Senior Category Manager the Category Managers will be responsible for delivering significant cashable savings from the spend category of at least 10% cashable savings over the next three years, whilst supporting and enabling University colleagues in delivering their savings objectives.
Please see the accompanying Campaign Document, detailed Job Description and Person Specification for full details.
The Strategic Procurement Team at Oxford Brookes is evolving and redefining the way we deliver services.
Our small procurement team is growing, and moving to a category management approach and structure that aligns with the University’s strategic vision and objectives. We are developing a strategic, coordinated procurement approach that improves commerciality, risk management, and service quality across the University, from the c.£50 million that the University spends annually on goods, services, and works, purchased from a multitude of suppliers.
What will I be doing?
As Category Manager you will manage and undertake procurement and contract management activities within the spend category across the University.
- Develop and implement short, medium and long-term procurement strategies for the spend categories to deliver cashable savings, efficiency gains, and long-term value creation in collaboration with University and FLS colleagues.
- Undertake all procurement activities within the spend category, including establishing preferred suppliers.
- Prepare tender documentation on e-tendering solutions and go out to the market to ensure value for money and compliance in each tender and contract.
- Undertake procurements/tenders, undertake contract management meetings, and undertake supplier relationships and supplier performance improvement activities etc.
- Undertake relevant complex or high-risk procurement activities, and all those carried out under the Procurement Act 2023, to ensure strict compliance.
- Assist, guide and facilitate University colleagues in the evaluation/moderation of tender responses where required.
- Work with the Senior Category Manager(s) and Strategic Category Lead(s) to ensure the University meets its designated annual savings targets.
What skills do I need?
- Strong leadership and influencing skills
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Excellent collaborative working skills to foster positive stakeholder relationships.
- Excellent analytical skills for risk assessment and data-driven decision-making.
- Proactive, adaptable and can manage multiple priorities
- Procurement governance, policy, and legislative compliance knowledge and skills.
- Strategic sourcing and category management expertise.
Based at our Headington Campus, you’ll experience the vibrant campus atmosphere and benefit from our modern office environment. This role will be hybrid and we expect attendance on campus for at least 1-2 days per week, which may increase during 2026 and 2027 as our hybrid working policies evolve over time.
As an Oxford Brookes employee, you will enjoy a total of a minimum of 25 days holiday, rising with your service, plus 8 Bank Holidays and additional University concessionary Days (approx 5 per year).
We have an extremely competitive Local Government Pension Scheme with a 19.2% Employer contribution rate, as well as providing all staff with financial education, a comprehensive employee assistance helpline.
We prioritise the well-being of our employees—both physically and mentally, as well as financially. That's why we provide a diverse and comprehensive benefits package to support our team.
At Oxford Brookes, inclusivity is one of our five guiding principles: we take positive steps to create an environment in which we celebrate, value and provide equal opportunity to all. We are committed to recruiting from the widest possible pool and welcome applications from all suitably qualified candidates who embrace our values, regardless of their background.
As a Disability Confident Employer we guarantee to interview any disabled applicant who meets the essential selection criteria.
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident.