Category Manager - Estates
| Posting date: | 16 March 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £49,979 to £59,125 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 14 April 2026 |
| Location: | Egham, Surrey |
| Remote working: | Hybrid - work remotely up to 3 days per week |
| Company: | Royal Holloway University of London |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 0126-032 |
Summary
Full-Time, Permanent
We are seeking to appoint an experienced Category Manager to join the Procurement function within the University’s Finance Department. This is an excellent opportunity for a commercially focused procurement professional to manage non‑pay expenditure across the Estates & Facilities category.
Reporting to the Head of Procurement, the Category manager role will be responsible for developing effective sourcing strategies and leading tendering activities to ensure the University achieves optimal value for money and supports the Estates team in the delivery of our capital and maintenance programmes to provide the highest standard of facilities to our students, staff and visitors.
The Category Manager for Estates will be the primary point of contact for all Estates related procurement requirements and will be responsible for providing procurement advice, market analysis and coordination of related activities with other members of the Procurement team where appropriate. The category manager will be responsible for the development of category plans and strategies across the estates category, maximising opportunities for value for money and efficiencies throughout the end-to-end procurement of various project works, services and supply contracts. The Category manager will have experience of working closely with subject matter experts and project managers on specifications, category strategies and managing the procurement process. This will include market engagement, procurement strategies, options appraisals, tender documentation, tender evaluation, contract award and drafting contracts (JCT) ensuring sustainable procurement practices, robust risk management, and compliance with our internal governance procedures, financial regulations, and the Public Procurement Regulations (PCR 2015) and Procurement Act 2023.
You will have:
An in-depth knowledge of the Estates Category and practical working knowledge of Public Procurement legislation and Procurement best practice in a complex and regulated HEI environment.
A proven and tested track record of delivering successful category plans and managing tendering procedures including framework competitions in the Estates and Facilities category.
Strong planning, organisational and communication skills and commitment to providing high levels of service.
The ability to operate strategically to meet the changing and complex needs of the business, solve problems and develop a strong understanding of stakeholder requirements and objectives.
The Category Manager will be a trusted business partner and must be confident in building strong relationships with a wide range of colleagues and stakeholders across the organisation working collaboratively as part of a team. The successful applicant will need strong organisational skills, excellent attention to detail and the ability to use data and market insights effectively to support decisions. The post holder will be expected to act with integrity, provide robust commercial, process-compliance and contractual advice, and take full ownership of the end‑to‑end procurement process, while managing multiple priorities and maintaining high standards of accuracy and customer service.
This role offers the successful applicant the chance to deliver real impact while working in a dynamic, collaborative, and innovative environment, and will play a key part in advancing the shared objectives of the Procurement & Estates departments while supporting the University in achieving its strategic goals
In return we offer a highly competitive rewards and benefits package including.
Generous annual leave entitlement
Training and Development opportunities
Pension Scheme with generous employer contribution
Various schemes including Cycle to Work, Season Ticket Loans and help with the cost of Eyesight testing.
Free parking
The post is based in Egham, Surrey where the University is situated in a beautiful, leafy campus near to Windsor Great Park and within commuting distance from central London and the University’s Bloomsbury estate. The University has adopted hybrid working for some roles and so some remote working would be possible for this role through prior agreement of line management.
For an informal discussion about the post, please contact Mark Brown at m.brown@rhul.ac.uk or +44 (0)1784 414415
For queries on the application process the Human Resources Department can be contacted by email at: recruitment@rhul.ac.uk
Please quote the reference: 0126-032
Closing Date: 23:59, 14 April 2026
Interview Date: w/c 20 April 2026
We are seeking to appoint an experienced Category Manager to join the Procurement function within the University’s Finance Department. This is an excellent opportunity for a commercially focused procurement professional to manage non‑pay expenditure across the Estates & Facilities category.
Reporting to the Head of Procurement, the Category manager role will be responsible for developing effective sourcing strategies and leading tendering activities to ensure the University achieves optimal value for money and supports the Estates team in the delivery of our capital and maintenance programmes to provide the highest standard of facilities to our students, staff and visitors.
The Category Manager for Estates will be the primary point of contact for all Estates related procurement requirements and will be responsible for providing procurement advice, market analysis and coordination of related activities with other members of the Procurement team where appropriate. The category manager will be responsible for the development of category plans and strategies across the estates category, maximising opportunities for value for money and efficiencies throughout the end-to-end procurement of various project works, services and supply contracts. The Category manager will have experience of working closely with subject matter experts and project managers on specifications, category strategies and managing the procurement process. This will include market engagement, procurement strategies, options appraisals, tender documentation, tender evaluation, contract award and drafting contracts (JCT) ensuring sustainable procurement practices, robust risk management, and compliance with our internal governance procedures, financial regulations, and the Public Procurement Regulations (PCR 2015) and Procurement Act 2023.
You will have:
An in-depth knowledge of the Estates Category and practical working knowledge of Public Procurement legislation and Procurement best practice in a complex and regulated HEI environment.
A proven and tested track record of delivering successful category plans and managing tendering procedures including framework competitions in the Estates and Facilities category.
Strong planning, organisational and communication skills and commitment to providing high levels of service.
The ability to operate strategically to meet the changing and complex needs of the business, solve problems and develop a strong understanding of stakeholder requirements and objectives.
The Category Manager will be a trusted business partner and must be confident in building strong relationships with a wide range of colleagues and stakeholders across the organisation working collaboratively as part of a team. The successful applicant will need strong organisational skills, excellent attention to detail and the ability to use data and market insights effectively to support decisions. The post holder will be expected to act with integrity, provide robust commercial, process-compliance and contractual advice, and take full ownership of the end‑to‑end procurement process, while managing multiple priorities and maintaining high standards of accuracy and customer service.
This role offers the successful applicant the chance to deliver real impact while working in a dynamic, collaborative, and innovative environment, and will play a key part in advancing the shared objectives of the Procurement & Estates departments while supporting the University in achieving its strategic goals
In return we offer a highly competitive rewards and benefits package including.
Generous annual leave entitlement
Training and Development opportunities
Pension Scheme with generous employer contribution
Various schemes including Cycle to Work, Season Ticket Loans and help with the cost of Eyesight testing.
Free parking
The post is based in Egham, Surrey where the University is situated in a beautiful, leafy campus near to Windsor Great Park and within commuting distance from central London and the University’s Bloomsbury estate. The University has adopted hybrid working for some roles and so some remote working would be possible for this role through prior agreement of line management.
For an informal discussion about the post, please contact Mark Brown at m.brown@rhul.ac.uk or +44 (0)1784 414415
For queries on the application process the Human Resources Department can be contacted by email at: recruitment@rhul.ac.uk
Please quote the reference: 0126-032
Closing Date: 23:59, 14 April 2026
Interview Date: w/c 20 April 2026
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