At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage technology supplier relationships and drive strategic contracts for impactful outcomes.
- Company: Join a diverse and inclusive procurement team at AQA.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, generous leave, and comprehensive wellbeing support.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for continuous improvement and career growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in technology procurement while collaborating with senior stakeholders.
- Qualifications: Experience in IT procurement and strong contract management skills required.
The predicted salary is between 58500 - 58500 £ per year.
IT Category Manager 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? 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. This is an opportunity to join a well-established procurement team and make an immediate impact across a key area of the business. Fresh thinking, innovation and new ideas are actively encouraged.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
You'll bring ideas, challenge constructively and look for opportunities to improve processes, supplier relationships and commercial outcomes.
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. 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.
Online Category Manager (m/w/d) in Guildford employer: AQA
AQA is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth, offering a competitive salary alongside generous benefits such as up to 25 days of annual leave, private medical insurance, and a robust pension scheme. With a strong emphasis on innovation and collaboration, you'll thrive in a supportive hybrid working environment in Guildford, where fresh ideas are welcomed and diversity is celebrated, ensuring that every team member feels valued and empowered to make a meaningful impact.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Online Category Manager (m/w/d) 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 Online Category Manager (m/w/d) 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 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 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 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 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
✨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.
