Senior Category Manager

About the Directorate

Procurement Services sits within the University's Finance and Procurement Directorate and operates as a centralised function dedicated to ensuring that the University achieves value for money in all its procurement activities.

About the Department

The team acts as a centre of excellence, offering advice, guidance and support to colleagues across the University on how to procure goods, services, and works effectively and responsibly. Our role is not only to manage costs but also to ensure that procurement decisions align with the University's broader strategic goals.

From August 2024, the University was no longer classified as a public authority under the Public Contracts Regulations 2015, however, it continues to uphold high standards of procurement practice, recognising its responsibilities as an exempt charity and a recipient of public funds. This means that while it is no longer legally bound by certain public procurement rules, it remains committed to transparency, fairness, and ethical sourcing.

The Procurement strategy supports the University's five strategic themes and encourages colleagues to consider sustainability, social value, and ethical considerations in their procurement decisions. The strategy also promotes collaboration with suppliers and internal stakeholders to reduce risk and improve supply chain resilience.

Procurement at the University is about more than just buying - it's about making informed, responsible choices that support the institution's mission and values.

About the Team

There are 13 people in the Procurement Team; the Director of Procurement is the strategic lead of the department, and the Head of Procurement manages the operational aspects of the department. The Procurement Manager reports into the Head of Procurement and manages a Category Management team of six people. The Procurement team also includes a Systems Manager, who manages a team of four Administrators, and a Procurement Data Analyst.

About the Role

As a Senior Category Manager, you will be responsible for managing the sourcing and procurement processes related to a complex procurement category such as IT, Faculties, or Estates, Facilities and Campus Development (EFCD). You will collaborate widely with stakeholders and suppliers to develop and implement the category strategy, and manage the tendering process for higher risk and complex contracts. You will oversee the category as a whole, and work closely with a Category Manager to ensure delivery to meet business needs and wider objectives of the University.

Key Skills & Experiences

Good experience of procurement practices and a track record for delivering value for money and service improvement are both vital to this role. Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (CIPS) membership would be an advantage.

You will be able to engage and collaborate effectively with stakeholders and provide trusted professional advice. A strategic outlook will allow you to take both a long-term view and a wide perspective of your category, and you'll have the influence and leadership qualities to make the category strategy a success.  Analytical thinking and reporting experience is expected.  

Key Responsibilities

As a Senior Category Manager, you will develop and implement a category strategy for one of our major procurement categories. You will play a key role in ensuring that the University achieves value for money on purchases and contracts, considering cost, quality and sustainability, whilst ensuring procurement best practice is followed.

To learn more about this exciting opportunity and benefits we offer, please read the job description and Candidate Pack provided below.

Assessment Process

To apply, please submit a CV and covering letter detailing your suitability, on the application portal.

For informal enquiries about this vacancy please contact Dan Ware, Procurement Manager: d.ware@mmu.ac.uk

If you would like to join our people and share our ambition, we would love to hear from you!

Due to the volume of applications we receive, we sometimes close our vacancies early. It is therefore advisable to apply as early as possible if you would like to be considered for a role.

Manchester Metropolitan University fosters an inclusive culture of belonging that promotes equity and celebrates diversity. We value a diverse workforce for the innovation and diversity of thought it brings and welcome applications from local and international communities, particularly those from Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, disabled people, and LGBTQ+ individuals.

We support a range of flexible working arrangements, including hybrid and tailored schedules, which can be discussed with your line manager. If you require reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process or in your role, please let us know so we can provide appropriate support.

Our commitment to inclusivity includes mentoring programmes, accessibility resources, and professional development opportunities to empower and support underrepresented groups.

Manchester Met is a Disability Confident Leader and, under this scheme, aims to offer an interview to disabled people who apply for the role and meet the essential criteria as listed in the attached Job Description for that vacancy.