£50-55k
3 days on site a week, London

An established higher education institution is seeking an experienced Procurement Category Manager, with specialist expertise in IT integration, to support a significant institutional merger and technology transformation programme. This role sits within the Finance function and plays a key part in embedding best practice procurement while supporting the integration of IT systems, services, and infrastructure across a newly combined university environment.

The Opportunity
This is an exciting opportunity to join a fast-paced and high-impact programme of transformation. Working closely with stakeholders across academic and professional services, the successful candidate will take ownership of the development and delivery of category strategies, ensuring alignment with broader strategic objectives, value for money, and sustainable outcomes.

Key Responsibilities
• Define, develop and deliver a category strategy for IT procurement, including infrastructure, integration tools, software licensing, and associated services.
• Implement commercially focused procurement activities, using tools and techniques such as benchmarking, market analysis, eTendering, and supplier negotiations.
• Manage high-value supplier relationships, ensuring performance, risk management, and alignment with institutional goals.
• Contribute to procurement policy and strategy development, embedding principles of sustainability, social value, and regulatory compliance.
• Support cross-functional teams and mentor junior staff, promoting best practices and capacity building across the organisation.
• Oversee tendering and contract management processes, maintaining accurate records, tracking benefits, and ensuring the delivery of quantifiable results.

Person Specification
Essential Skills & Experience:
• Proven expertise in IT procurement, with a deep understanding of technology markets including infrastructure, integration, licensing, and digital services.
• Knowledge of procurement legislation including the Public Contracts Regulations 2015 and forthcoming Procurement Act 2023/2024.
• Experience using eTendering tools (e.g., BiP Delta) and national procurement frameworks (e.g., CCS, ESPO, JISC).
• Ability to lead complex procurement projects, drive value through negotiation, and manage multiple stakeholders effectively.
• Strong commercial awareness and understanding of regulatory and data protection dependencies within IT procurement.
• Excellent communication, influencing, and stakeholder engagement skills.

Desirable:
• CIPS qualification (or working toward).
• Experience with consumption-based services and university-specific IT applications.
• Understanding of carbon reduction, EDI, and social value principles in procurement.

What’s on Offer
• 30 days annual leave plus public holidays and additional days over the Christmas period
• Generous pension scheme
• Hybrid working model (minimum 60% on-site)
• A supportive environment that promotes wellbeing, development, and sustainability