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- Tasks: Lead procurement for cutting-edge STEM resources and drive sustainability initiatives.
- Company: Join UCL's Commercial & Procurement team at a world-class university.
- Benefits: 41 days holiday, on-site gym, and enhanced family leave policies.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on research and teaching in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Strong procurement experience and excellent negotiation skills required.
- Other info: Diversity is valued; we encourage underrepresented candidates to apply.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Join UCL's Commercial & Procurement team and help enable world-class research and teaching. Our team plays a critical role in ensuring UCL's STEM departments have the resources they need to innovate and succeed. We're looking for an ambitious, solutions-driven Category Manager to lead how UCL invests in cutting-edge equipment, consumables, and transformative facilities.
If you're passionate about delivering value, driving efficiency, and supporting ground-breaking academic work, this is your opportunity to make a real impact at one of the world's leading universities.
UCL is entering a major phase of investment, supporting equipment purchases for new builds, refurbishments, and enhancing STEM teaching spaces while accelerating sustainability with bold new ideas. In STEM alone, the team manages c. £120M of spend. You'll be at the heart of this, influencing how UCL invests its funding to maximise value, boost research capability, and build resilient, future-focused STEM environments.
You’ll work closely with academics, technical teams, sustainability specialists, and suppliers to deliver smart, agile procurement solutions. That means:
- Running quick-turnaround sourcing exercises
- Supplier negotiations to ensure value for money
- Advising on routes to market
- Supporting contract implementation
- Driving supplier performance
Beyond your portfolio, you’ll lead cross-university initiatives: introducing new technologies, pioneering sustainable procurement approaches, and streamlining processes. Your work will be visible and lasting - upgraded labs, new equipment, reliable consumables supply, and stronger, greener STEM operations.
You’re commercially sharp, energetic, and motivated by impact. You thrive in complex environments, love solving problems, and enjoy collaborating with a wide range of stakeholders - from academics and researchers to operational teams and suppliers.
You bring:
- Strong procurement experience
- Excellent organisation and a data-driven mindset
- Confidence managing sourcing end-to-end
- Skill in negotiations and supplier performance management
- Flexibility to adapt quickly across categories and challenges
A STEM background isn’t essential - what matters is your procurement expertise, commercial insight, and ability to deliver results.
As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer some great benefits:
- 41 Days holiday (27 days annual leave, 8 bank holidays, 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
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 in Newry employer: University College London
Contact Detail:
University College London Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Manager in Newry
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former UCL employees on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral, which can really boost your chances.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching UCL's recent projects and initiatives in STEM. Show us that you're not just interested in the role but also passionate about contributing to their mission.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! Since this role involves supplier negotiations, consider role-playing scenarios with a friend to sharpen your approach and build confidence.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team.
We think you need these skills to ace Category Manager in Newry
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion: Let us see your enthusiasm for the role! In your application, highlight why you're excited about working in procurement and how you can contribute to UCL's mission of supporting world-class research and teaching.
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Category Manager position. Focus on your procurement experience, negotiation skills, and any relevant projects that showcase your ability to drive efficiency and deliver value.
Be Data-Driven: Since we love a data-driven mindset, include specific examples of how you've used data to inform your decisions in past roles. This will show us that you can manage sourcing end-to-end effectively.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves, and you’ll find all the details you need to make your submission shine!
How to prepare for a job interview at University College London
✨Know Your Procurement Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your procurement knowledge before the interview. Understand the latest trends in sourcing, supplier negotiations, and sustainable procurement practices. Being able to discuss these topics confidently will show that you're not just a fit for the role, but also genuinely passionate about making an impact.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills
Prepare examples of how you've tackled complex procurement challenges in the past. Think about specific situations where you had to negotiate with suppliers or implement new processes. This will demonstrate your ability to thrive in complex environments and your knack for delivering results.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Since this role involves collaborating with a variety of stakeholders, be ready to discuss how you've successfully worked with different teams in the past. Highlight your communication skills and adaptability, as these are key to driving efficiency and supporting academic work at UCL.
✨Be Ready to Discuss Sustainability
UCL is focused on sustainability, so come prepared with ideas on how you can contribute to this goal. Whether it's through innovative procurement strategies or introducing new technologies, showing that you understand the importance of sustainability in procurement will set you apart from other candidates.
