At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic sourcing and supplier management for STEM operational needs.
- Company: UCL, a world-leading university committed to research excellence.
- Benefits: 41 days holiday, pension scheme, on-site gym, and employee support services.
- Other info: Join a diverse team focused on innovation and sustainability.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on research by managing high-value procurement activities.
- Qualifications: Experience in commercial leadership and supplier negotiations.
The predicted salary is between 56250 - 68750 £ per year.
About us At UCL, procurement is about far more than purchasing goods and services.
It is about enabling world-leading research, supporting academic excellence and helping solve some of society’s biggest challenges.
As one of the world's leading universities, UCL invests significantly in cutting-edge scientific equipment, specialist laboratory infrastructure and research environments that support discovery across science, engineering, medicine and technology.
Our STEM Commercial team manages approximately 120m of annual expenditure and plays a critical role in ensuring researchers have access to the equipment, services and supplier partnerships they need to deliver exceptional outcomes.
We are transforming the way commercial and procurement services support research, combining commercial excellence, sustainability and innovation to maximise the value of every pound invested.
This is an exciting opportunity to join a high-performing team at the centre of that ambition.
About the role We're looking for an experienced Category Manager to join our STEM Opex and Marketplace team.
This is a highly visible role that combines commercial leadership, supplier management, stakeholder engagement, and continuous improvement.
You'll take ownership of a portfolio of key STEM operational and e Marketplace suppliers, leading commercial negotiations, managing supplier performance, and ensuring robust contract compliance.
Working closely with colleagues across Procurement, Finance, and academic departments, you'll help deliver value, improve service quality, and support UCL's wider strategic objectives.
You'll also play a key role in shaping the future of our e Marketplace service, driving initiatives such as supplier onboarding, E-Stores development, sustainability improvements, and process optimisation.
Alongside this, you'll provide guidance and mentoring to junior colleagues, helping to build capability and strengthen operational resilience across the team.
About you As STEM Category Manager, you will directly influence how UCL invests in its research capability.
You will lead strategic sourcing activity across a diverse portfolio of scientific equipment, laboratory infrastructure, specialist services and research-related spend, helping shape the future of research across one of the world's leading universities.
You will work closely with senior academics, researchers and professional services colleagues to develop category strategies, lead complex commercial projects and negotiate with specialist suppliers operating in highly technical markets.
The role offers significant autonomy and visibility.
You will manage high-value procurement activity from strategy through to implementation, using data, market insight and commercial expertise to deliver value, strengthen supplier relationships and support UCL's long-term ambitions.
From enabling new laboratory facilities to supporting major research programmes, the impact of your work will be visible across the institution and beyond.
What we offer As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer some great benefits some of which are below:
- 41 Days holiday (27 days annual leave 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days)
- Additional 5 days’ annual leave purchase scheme
- Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE)
- Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan
- Immigration loan
- Relocation scheme for certain posts
- On-Site nursery
- On-site gym
- Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
- Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service
- Discounted medical insurance Visit https://www. ucl. ac. uk/work-at-ucl/reward-and-benefits to find out more.
Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion As London’s Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world’s talent.
We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong.
We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL’s workforce.
These include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQI+ people; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women.
Category Manager (STEM) - Opex employer: University College London
University College London is an exceptional employer that fosters a vibrant and inclusive work culture, particularly within the Cultural and Community Engagement team at UCL East. As an apprentice, you will benefit from hands-on experience in communications while being supported by a team dedicated to your professional growth and development. With a focus on diversity and community involvement, this role offers unique opportunities to engage with various events and initiatives that make a meaningful impact.
