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About the role
Procurement Category Manager – Academic & Professional Services
Join Bournemouth University at an exciting point in its journey as we deliver BU2035 – To Learn is to Change.
We are seeking an experienced Procurement Category Manager to lead strategic procurement across Academic and Professional Services categories. You will act as a trusted business partner to senior stakeholders, delivering innovative category strategies, compliant procurements, value for money, supplier performance and sustainable outcomes.
This is an opportunity to influence major investment decisions, support transformation, research, student experience and operational excellence across a forward-thinking university.
About You
- Full MCIPS (or equivalent experience)
- Strong public procurement expertise
- Experience leading complex tenders and category strategies
- Excellent stakeholder engagement and influencing skills
- Commercially astute and data-driven
- Ideally Higher Education or public sector experience
What You’ll Do
- Lead end-to-end complex procurement exercises
- Build category plans aligned to BU2035
- Partner with senior leaders
- Deliver savings and measurable value
- Improve supplier performance and contract outcomes
- Ensure compliance with Procurement Act 2023 and relevant regulations
We support flexible working, with a hybrid approach of approximately 2–3 days per week on campus.
Be part of a team where procurement makes a visible strategic difference.
This position does not meet the eligibility requirements for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker Route within the UK Visa and Immigration service’s Points Based System. Therefore, BU will not be able to sponsor individuals who require permission to work to carry out this position. For more information, please visit https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/your-job.
About the department
Our Procurement and Contract Management team has transformed significantly over the past few years and continues to evolve as we support delivery of BU2035. We are a collaborative, supportive and forward-thinking team who partner with colleagues across the University to deliver value, innovation and excellent service. Continuous improvement is a key part of our culture, and we work together to improve processes, increase efficiency and create a positive experience for stakeholders and suppliers alike.
About us
Bournemouth University’s vision is worldwide recognition as a leading university for inspiring learning, advancing knowledge and enriching society through the fusion of education, research and practice. Our highly skilled and creative workforce is comprised of individuals drawn from a broad cross section of the globe, who reflect a variety of backgrounds, talents, perspectives and experiences that help to build our global learning community.
BU values and is committed to an inclusive working environment. We seek a diverse community through attracting, developing and retaining staff from different backgrounds to contribute to inspirational learning, advancing knowledge and enriching society. To support and enable our staff to achieve a balance between work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements.
More than just a job! Working for BU provides you with access to a fantastic range of benefits.
Core Package:
PAY– a competitive salary with opportunities for pay progression
PENSION– a valuable defined benefit pension with generous employer contributions
HOLIDAY– Annual leave entitlement of 30 days plus bank holidays and winter closure (pro rata if part time)
WORK LIFE BALANCE –flexible working arrangements including opportunities for hybrid working and flexitime (role dependant)
A job description for this position is available at the top of this page. If you require this in a different format, please contact us at hrvacancies@bournemouth.ac.uk