Butler Rose is working alongside one of our top educational organisation clients based in Milton Keynes who have an exciting opportunity for an experienced Category Manager - IT to join their team. This is a permanent role and the will pay up to £45,163 for the successful candidate based on experience. The role will be in Milton Keynes - hybrid working is available.

The Category Manager role is a key role in the team which provides a professional procurement service including, stakeholder engagement, tendering, commercial negotiation, and supplier management to internal customers, ensuring that value for money is achieved, and procurement decisions consider financial, environmental, health & safety and ethical policies and regulations.

Responsibilities:
* Work with key stakeholders to develop sourcing strategies for procurement projects providing advice and guidance on potential procurement routes and evaluation approaches, having considered all key commercial and regulatory risks.
* Manage tendering activity in accordance with internal and external policies and regulations.
* Working in collaboration with key stakeholders, develop appropriate tender documentation ensuring sourcing projects are delivered efficiently and effectively.
* Manage post tender clarifications and negotiations with suppliers, taking legal advice where required, securing the best possible terms and conditions.
* Report preparation, such as post tender evaluation reports and management information reports to support category plans, pipeline planning and savings reporting.
* Review, manage and action purchase requisitions, single source justification, new vendor and low value contract requests to ensure they are processed and executed in line with university policies.
* Liaise with the requisitioner, suppliers and other stakeholders such as legal services and data protection teams where required to ensure appropriate contractual documents are in place for purchases.
* Proactively assess and resolve procurement queries and issues related to projects or requisitions as required.
* Proactively build and maintain networks and working relationships with stakeholders across the University at multiple levels using appropriate verbal and written communications (e.g. meetings, phone, email, reports).

Skills, Experience & Background:
* CIPS qualified or commensurate experience
* Experience or knowledge of public sector procurement, PCR 2015 and an awareness of the Procurement Act 2023 (PA23) and / or experience of procuring software, systems, IT related hardware and digital related services or specialist laboratory equipment.
* Excellent communication and commercial negotiation skills, ability to network with stakeholders at all levels of the business.
* Experience of working with staff at all levels to develop project sourcing strategies for key areas of spend.
* Experience of preparing and drafting tender documentation under official PCR 2015 procurement procedures, public sector frameworks and sub-PCR threshold procurements.
* Experience reviewing, drafting and negotiation of commercial contractual documents.

Desirable:
* Knowledge of data protection principles and experience of GDPR legislation.
* Understanding of information and cyber security practices.
* Completed PA23 Government Commercial College training.
* Knowledge of Responsible Procurement principles and sustainability practices.
* Understanding of research grant funding and related procurements.

We can offer you a full insight and job description on applying, please don’t delay with your application.

Please call or email Cerys Kirby Thirlwell for further information
Butler Rose is committed to equality in the workplace and is an equal opportunity employer.
Butler Rose Ltd is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.