Category Manager - Estates

The opportunity

The focus of this role will be to act as University of the Arts London’s procurement category specialist for the Estates spend category on behalf of the university, its entities and other organisations for which the university provides a procurement service. You will ensure that procurement support is aligned to the structure, objectives and culture of the function, becoming an enabler to the Estates stakeholder business plan, objectives and deliverables. The Estates category includes: capital projects, including two high profile projects, minor works, total facilities management, utilities, transport, furniture, and technical equipment.

 You will collaborate with key stakeholders proactively identifying areas where procurement can add measurable value, and lead solutions in support of strategic goals and improving organisational effectiveness and efficiency.

 You will have good technical knowledge of Estates in a business environment and be able to provide specialist knowledge and expertise in the Estates category to ensure value for money is delivered and evidenced. You will assist Estates colleagues, and other colleagues as required, in all aspects of procurement including contract specifications, sourcing options, tendering and pricing strategies.

 You will have extensive experience of managing the procurement of Estates services, renewals and extensions to ensure compliance with legal and internal obligations. You will also have strong communication and leadership skills to be build trust with key stakeholders during a cultural transformation period.

About you

 You will have a thorough appreciation and working knowledge of EU Public Procurement Directives and the Public Contract Regulations 2015, be familiar with Public Procurement Policy Notes and Guidance issued by Crown Commercial Services, have a relevant professional qualification desirable: MCIPS/ NVQ level 4 (achieved or working towards), a good understanding of purchasing requirements in the HE sector and an understanding of project management principles and methodologies together with comprehensive practical working knowledge of public sector tendering and contracting procedures, including Framework Agreements.

 You will be skilled in the extraction,review and analysis of supplier and category spend data, with the ability to develop high quality category strategies and plans whilst undertaking supply chain review and catalogue management. You will have strategic insight, solid commercial acumen and understanding of commercial decision making processes, comprehensive sourcing, category management and negotiation skills to realise value for money. You will have good writing and presentation skills and experience of providing reports to a variety of audiences and stakeholders.

 If you have any queries you may contact VCO Recruitment Team via email  or telephone: 020 7514 9627.