Procurement Category Manager

UKCEH is looking for a part time Procurement Category Manager, this is a job share opportunity, to join our 600-strong team, contributing to scientific discovery and generating the data, insights and solutions that researchers, businesses and governments need to solve complex environmental challenges.  

Working at UKCEH is rewarding. Our science makes a real difference, enabling people and the environment to prosper, and enriching society. We are the custodians of a wealth of environmental data, collected by UKCEH and its predecessors over the course of more than 60 years.  

As a valued member of our team, you’ll get:  

• 27 days annual leave (pro-rata), rising to 29 days after five years  

• 10% employer pension contribution  

• Enhanced maternity and paternity leave  

• 24 hour, 365-day access to support with physical, mental, social, health or financial issues  

• Flexible working opportunities  

• And much more.  

You’ll be joining our procurement team, supporting the Head of Procurement, as part of the wider finance team. This role will be working alongside our professional service teams and ensuring that procurement support is aligned to the structure, objectives and culture of the whole organisation.  

As part of a small but effective procurement team your focus will be on collaborating with key stakeholders and proactively identifying areas to add value. This is an exciting time in procurement with some process changes due in late 2024, so you’ll also have plenty of opportunities to get involved with a number of transformation projects. As such, you will be vital to the development of the UKCEH procurement vision and strategy, acting as a positive ambassador for sustainable procurement.  

You’ll be joining a leading independent, not-for-profit research institute that’s committed to recruiting talented people like you, progressing your career and giving you the support you need to thrive at UKCEH.  

Your main responsibilities will include:  

• Leading supplier engagement and sourcing activities end to end from definition of business requirements, sourcing, tender analysis and negotiation and ongoing supplier performance and life cycle management  

• Ensure that procurement projects are efficient and compliant and that any associated procurement activities are run in accordance with UKCEH internal policy and Public Contracts Regulations 2015 (PCR)/Procurement Act 2023 

• Supporting and contributing to the procurement strategy for ESG and EDI initiatives that align with the wider corporate strategies for our environment and sustainability.  

• Developing and then delivering a pipeline of Procurement activities for your category area(s) considering the business objectives and priorities, contract renewal dates and budget plans. 

• Ensuring that all expenditure is identified, routes to market are defined and maverick spend is measured and controlled, running regular spend analysis reports.  

• Taking responsibility for the ongoing management of suppliers that fall under your category area, optimising and rationalising the category suppliers and ensuring that they’re fit for supply.  

• Acting as a Procure to Pay (P2P) champion and working with your category areas to ensure compliant spend and reducing/minimising retrospective spend.  

• Continuously seek realistic ways to improve efficiency and effectiveness in your role, to help the department, and UKCEH achieve its goals.  

• Participate in learning and development activities that develop personal effectiveness and assist in improving performance in the role  

We have several exciting initiatives and science projects that will require collaborative procurement support within the immediate procurement team. 

For the role of Procurement Category Manager, we’re looking for somebody who has:  

• An understanding/experience of sourcing strategies especially in public sector procurement 

• The ability to negotiate and influence at all levels  

• Project management – delivering projects or supporting delivery of projects  

• Experience of category management  

• A keen customer service focus  

• A collaborative approach to problem solving and building relationships with stakeholders at all levels.  

If you are a category buyer looking to make your next step, we’d still really like to hear from you, we could potentially support you in working towards your CIPS Certification, following a successful probation.  

Whilst we do invite applications from international candidates, we are currently unable to offer visa sponsorship for this position

If we’ve just described you, we’d love to meet. Apply now.