At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead procurement strategies and negotiate commercial contracts in higher education.
- Company: Dynamic higher education client with a focus on innovation and sustainability.
- Benefits: Competitive daily rate, hybrid working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Join a collaborative team and contribute to strategic planning.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in education while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Senior-level procurement experience and strong negotiation skills required.
The predicted salary is between 54000 - 66000 £ per year.
Senior Category Manager – Education - £550 (Inside IR35) – London (Hybrid)
Leading higher education client now requires a Category professional to lead procurement/commercial contract management.
This role will work directly with faculties and departments to shape buying strategies, negotiate strong commercial deals and introduce better ways of working.
Key responsibilities
- Develop procurement plans that meet category needs and sustainability goals.
- Run large-scale tenders and negotiate value-for-money agreements.
- Advise stakeholders on compliance, including when to compete and when to sole source.
- Draft and manage supplier contracts linked to research funding, including grant awards, material transfer agreements and research service agreements.
- Build tiered supplier relationship management approaches.
- Drive non-pay savings and continuous process improvement.
- Line manage, develop and retain a high-performing team.
- Contribute to the Commercial Leadership Team and its strategic plan.
About you
- Significant senior-level procurement and commercial experience, with a degree or equivalent. experience and ongoing professional development.
- Expert negotiator with a track record of delivering complex, large-scale commercial solutions.
- Strong leadership skills, including change management and building high-performing teams.
- Confident communicator and influencer at all levels, able to work across large, decentralised organisations.
- Commercially astute, organised and collaborative, and a good evidence-based decision-maker.
This is an initial 3-month contract role which provides a daily rate of £550(Inside IR35).
In terms of working structure, this is hybrid with 3 days per week in their Central London office and the rest remote.
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Senior Category Manager in London employer: Ventula Consulting
Join a leading hospitality client that values innovation and collaboration, offering a dynamic work culture where your expertise in project management will shine. With a focus on employee growth and development, this role provides the opportunity to work on high-impact divestment projects while enjoying the flexibility of a hybrid working model in vibrant Central London. Experience a supportive environment that encourages professional advancement and rewards your contributions with competitive compensation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Category Manager in London
✨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 Senior Category Manager in London
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 Ventula Consulting 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, Ventula Consulting 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 Ventula Consulting 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 Ventula Consulting 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 Ventula Consulting
✨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.
