Senior Category Manager x2
| Posting date: | 17 July 2025 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £46,735 to £51,039 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 03 August 2025 |
| Location: | Headington, Oxford |
| Remote working: | Hybrid - work remotely up to 3 days per week |
| Company: | Oxford Brookes University |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 181406 |
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 Senior Category Manager role in Teaching, STEM and Research and in Academic and Student Services are key strategic roles that take on leadership in driving transformation within the category. These roles manage high-value contracts, lead supplier negotiations, and work closely with University stakeholders to deliver value through innovative procurement solutions.
In addition, these roles have line management responsibility for the Category Manager in either the People and Development Services category/ Professional and Business spend category.
Based at our Headington campus and reporting to the Strategic Category Lead, the Senior Category Manager for Teaching, STEM and Research and in Academic and Student Services will be responsible for delivering significant cashable savings from the spend category of at least 15% 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 Senior Category Manager you will undertake comprehensive category management across the designated spend categories, including developing and executing a comprehensive category strategy.
- Conduct in-depth analysis of the supplier market, assessing market conditions, cost drivers, and trends to drive cost reduction and maximise value for money.
- Lead and manage the end-to-end procurement processes in the categories of spend in the designated spend categories.
- Drive enhancements in procurement policy, practice and process across the University delivering innovation and continuous improvement in the delegated or designated spend categories.
- Establish and maintain high customer service to improve the stakeholder experience provided by the procurement function within designated spend categories, ensuring consistent alignment with University objectives and service standards.
What skills do I need?
- Excellent communication and high-level interpersonal skills to build strong relationships with internal stakeholders, senior management, and external suppliers.
- Strategic thinker with a strong focus on achieving cost savings and continuous improvement.
- Excellent collaborative working skills to foster positive stakeholder relationships.
Location
Based at our Headington Campus, you’ll experience the vibrant campus atmosphere and benefit from our modern office environment. The campus is one mile from the centre of Oxford and is served by regular public transport. 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.
Benefits
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.
Equality, diversity and inclusion
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 Senior Category Manager role in Teaching, STEM and Research and in Academic and Student Services are key strategic roles that take on leadership in driving transformation within the category. These roles manage high-value contracts, lead supplier negotiations, and work closely with University stakeholders to deliver value through innovative procurement solutions.
In addition, these roles have line management responsibility for the Category Manager in either the People and Development Services category/ Professional and Business spend category.
Based at our Headington campus and reporting to the Strategic Category Lead, the Senior Category Manager for Teaching, STEM and Research and in Academic and Student Services will be responsible for delivering significant cashable savings from the spend category of at least 15% 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 Senior Category Manager you will undertake comprehensive category management across the designated spend categories, including developing and executing a comprehensive category strategy.
- Conduct in-depth analysis of the supplier market, assessing market conditions, cost drivers, and trends to drive cost reduction and maximise value for money.
- Lead and manage the end-to-end procurement processes in the categories of spend in the designated spend categories.
- Drive enhancements in procurement policy, practice and process across the University delivering innovation and continuous improvement in the delegated or designated spend categories.
- Establish and maintain high customer service to improve the stakeholder experience provided by the procurement function within designated spend categories, ensuring consistent alignment with University objectives and service standards.
What skills do I need?
- Excellent communication and high-level interpersonal skills to build strong relationships with internal stakeholders, senior management, and external suppliers.
- Strategic thinker with a strong focus on achieving cost savings and continuous improvement.
- Excellent collaborative working skills to foster positive stakeholder relationships.
Location
Based at our Headington Campus, you’ll experience the vibrant campus atmosphere and benefit from our modern office environment. The campus is one mile from the centre of Oxford and is served by regular public transport. 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.
Benefits
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.
Equality, diversity and inclusion
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.