Category Manager (Procurement)

The University wishes to appoint two Category Managers to its Procurement team.

The University of Reading is a global institution with a world-class reputation for teaching and research. It is a diverse and inclusive community, with more than 23,000 students from around 160 countries studying in campuses across three continents. The University’s Whiteknights campus is set in 130 hectares of parkland, including woodland, a lake, a Sports Park, and plenty of places to eat.

The University has an extensive property portfolio, including three campuses in Reading and Henley-on-Thames as well as agricultural, commercial and residential property. It owns Thames Valley Science Park, which leases land to a film studio and a number of national museums, as well as other businesses.

The Procurement Department is a dynamic and collaborative team who play an important role in supporting the University in achieving its main strategic goals.

The Procurement function at UoR implemented category management approach back in 2015, Since then, the department has been shortlisted for Global Procurement Awards and scored superior in the procurement maturity assessment.

One post holder will take the responsibility for the E&F category of spend and the key activities in the first couple of years will focus around supporting the university on its estates strategy.

The other post holder will take the responsibility of the IT category and the key activities will be supporting the university on its IT strategy.

The ideal candidate will:

• be a member or working towards being a member of the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS) or have attained an equivalent level professional qualification or be working towards a professional qualification
• Understand procurement best practice related to construction and maintenance.
• Demonstrate experience of working in a procurement environment using the category management approach
• Have excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to build effective working relationships
• Have excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Have a dynamic and influential personality
• Natural and dynamic problem solver
• Options orientated

Your supporting statement should set out how you meet the requirements of the person specification and your CV should cover details of the work you have undertaken.

Interview Date: 11 July 2023

Applications from job seekers who require sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. By reference to the applicable SOC code for this role, sponsorship may be possible under the Skilled Worker Route. Applicants should ensure that they are able to meet the points requirement under the PBS. There is further information about this on the UK Visas and Immigration Website.

The University is committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce, supports the gender equality Athena SWAN Charter and the Race Equality Charter, and champions LGBT+ equality. Applications for job-share, part-time and flexible working arrangements are welcomed and will be considered in line with business needs.