At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage a £15 million technology portfolio and build relationships with key stakeholders.
- Company: Join AQA, the UK's largest provider of academic qualifications, committed to advancing education.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, hybrid working, 25 days leave, and comprehensive wellbeing support.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in technology procurement while collaborating with experienced professionals.
- Qualifications: Experience in IT procurement and strong stakeholder management skills required.
The predicted salary is between 58500 - 58500 £ per year.
At AQA, we’re committed to advancing education and we’re committed to our people. As the largest provider of academic qualifications in the UK, we mark over 10 million exam papers each year and it’s our people who make this happen.
12 Month Fixed Term Contract (Maternity Cover)
Guildford | Hybrid Working
£52,000 - £58,500 per annum
Looking for your next IT / Technology Category Manager opportunity? Do you enjoy owning complex technology supplier relationships, managing strategic contracts and partnering with senior stakeholders to deliver commercial outcomes? You'll take ownership of a technology portfolio worth approximately £15 million across 155 contracts and 70 suppliers, working with senior stakeholders across Enterprise Technology and managing several of AQA's critical suppliers. Technology / IT procurement experience is essential for this role.
To help you succeed, you'll benefit from a comprehensive and well-planned handover with the current postholder, alongside ongoing support from the Head of Procurement and wider category management team. You'll have the opportunity to build relationships with key stakeholders and suppliers before taking full ownership of the portfolio. This is an opportunity to join a well-established procurement team and make an immediate impact across a key area of the business. You'll inherit a well-established portfolio but won't be expected to simply maintain the status quo. Fresh thinking, innovation and new ideas are actively encouraged.
What's in it for you? Alongside a competitive salary, you'll work on a hybrid basis with a minimum of two days per week in our Guildford office, including Thursdays. You'll also benefit from:
- Up to 25 days annual leave, plus Christmas closure and bank holidays
- Combined Pension contributions of up to 18.5%
- Private Medical Insurance
- Parking onsite
- Life Assurance
- A wide range of wellbeing benefits and support
Most importantly, you'll gain ownership of a significant technology portfolio while working with senior technology stakeholders and a highly experienced procurement team.
What will you be doing?
- Managing a portfolio of technology contracts and suppliers
- Working closely with senior Stakeholders and Contract Owners
- Supporting contract renewals, negotiations and commercial discussions
- Assisting Stakeholders in managing supplier performance and commercial outcomes
- Coordinating procurement projects and sourcing activities
- Supporting category planning and technology procurement strategy
- Identifying opportunities for continuous improvement and supplier consolidation
- Providing pragmatic procurement advice and guidance
- Ensuring procurement activity remains compliant with governance requirements
You'll thrive in this role if you have:
- Technology or IT procurement category management experience
- Demonstrable contract and supplier management expertise
- Experience influencing and partnering with stakeholders at all levels
- Experience leading or supporting RFx, tender or sourcing activities
- Commercial negotiation capability
- CIPS Level 4 qualification or equivalent experience
- Experience using Source-to-Contract platforms such as Bravo, Jaggaer or similar systems would be advantageous but isn't essential.
The type of person who succeeds here:
- You'll enjoy taking ownership rather than waiting for direction.
- You'll be comfortable managing competing priorities and working autonomously.
- You'll be trusted to operate independently, but you won't be left to do it alone.
- You'll bring ideas, challenge constructively and look for opportunities to improve processes, supplier relationships and commercial outcomes.
- Most importantly, you'll be a collaborative team player who balances strategic thinking with practical delivery.
What next? If you're looking for a Technology Procurement role with genuine ownership, a complex supplier portfolio and the opportunity to make a visible impact, we'd love to hear from you.
Applications close Wednesday 15th July at 23:59. As part of the screening process there are 4 short questions at application stage which are related to the role. All responses are reviewed by a person. First-stage interviews will take place via Microsoft Teams during the week commencing 27 July, with final interviews taking place in Guildford during early to mid-August. Every application will receive a written response.
At AQA, we are committed to fostering a workplace that celebrates diversity and promotes equity and inclusion. We believe that a diverse team brings richer perspectives and drives better outcomes. Our ED&I strategy ensures that everyone - regardless of religion, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, age, disability, sexual orientation, or background - is valued, respected, and empowered to thrive. We actively promote inclusive language, avoid stereotypes, and strive for representation across all dimensions of diversity. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and lived experiences.
Category Manager in Guildford employer: AQA Education
At AQA, we pride ourselves on being a leading employer in the education sector, offering a supportive and inclusive work environment that fosters professional growth and innovation. As a Category Manager, you'll enjoy a competitive salary, hybrid working arrangements, and a comprehensive benefits package, including generous annual leave and private medical insurance. Our collaborative culture encourages fresh ideas and empowers you to make a meaningful impact while working with a dedicated procurement team in our Guildford office.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Manager in Guildford
✨Get Involved in Local Procurement Meetups
Join local procurement and purchasing groups on platforms like Meetup or Eventbrite. These gatherings are great for networking with industry professionals, sharing insights, and potentially hearing about temporary roles that might not be widely advertised!
✨Seasonal Hiring Cycles are Your Friend!
Keep an eye on seasonal trends in procurement, as many companies ramp up hiring during certain times of the year – especially around end-of-financial-year periods when budgets are being utilised. Be proactive and reach out to companies directly during these windows.
✨Leverage Online Platforms for Temporary Roles
Don’t forget to browse specific job boards dedicated to temporary positions, such as Reed or Indeed. You can filter your search for procurement roles and set up alerts for when new jobs pop up, so you can apply immediately!
✨Showcase Your Skills on Professional Networks
Create short case studies or posts on LinkedIn showcasing your procurement experience or interesting projects you've tackled. This not only builds your visibility but can also attract recruiters looking for temporary talent like you!
We think you need these skills to ace Category Manager in Guildford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Relevant Experience:When applying for a temporary role in procurement-purchasing, it's crucial to highlight any relevant experience you have. Mention specific tasks like negotiating contracts, managing supplier relationships, or optimising inventory. This will show AQA Education that you can hit the ground running!
Keep it Concise and Impactful:For a temporary role, we recommend keeping your CV and cover letter concise. Focus on key achievements that showcase your procurement skills and any immediate impact you’ve made in past roles. Use bullet points for clarity—this way, AQA Education can quickly grasp your capabilities!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got any certifications that are relevant to procurement, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply), don’t forget to mention them! This adds extra weight to your application and shows AQA Education that you're serious about your professional development.
Emphasise Flexibility and Availability:Since this is a temporary position, make sure to emphasise your availability and flexibility in your cover letter. Let AQA Education know when you can start and that you’re ready to adapt to their needs, making your application even more appealing!
How to prepare for a job interview at AQA Education
✨Know Your Procurement Basics
Brush up on key procurement concepts and terms, like 'total cost of ownership' and 'supplier relationships'. We want to impress them with our knowledge! Being able to talk fluently about relevant techniques and tools specific to the procurement field will definitely lend credibility.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
In a purchasing role, you might get thrown some real-world scenarios to assess how you’d handle supplier negotiations or cost-saving strategies. Be ready to demonstrate your problem-solving skills! Practising how you'd tackle these situations in advance will help us shine during the interview.
✨Highlight Your Flexibility and Adaptability
Since it’s a temporary role, emphasise how you can quickly adapt to new processes and environments. Share examples of past experiences where you’ve tackled new challenges with ease, showing they can rely on us to hit the ground running and contribute immediately!
✨Show Off Your Tech Savvy
Being well-versed in procurement software like SAP or Coupa can set us apart from other candidates. If you've got experience with these tools, be sure to mention it! Having a handle on data analysis and reporting will also demonstrate our capability to leverage technology effectively in procurement.
