Senior Category Manager – INTERNAL OPPORTUNITY OPEN TO UCL EMPLOYEES ONLY

Overview

In this role you will lead critical procurement categories (Travel, MICE, Contingent Labour, and External Engagement) to shape category strategies and deliver tangible cost savings. You’ll work with senior stakeholders to drive commercial excellence, lead complex sourcing and negotiations, and improve efficiency through data-informed decisions. You will support the Corporate Services strategy and nurture high-performing teams while embedding sustainable, value-driven procurement. This is a chance to influence procurement at a world-leading university and deliver meaningful, measurable impact.

Pay / Benefits

• 41 Days holiday
• Defined benefit pension (CARE)
• Cycle to work scheme
• Relocation scheme
• On-site nursery
• On-site gym

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement category strategies aligned with objectives and sustainability commitments
• Build and maintain relationships with senior stakeholders as the main category contact
• Lead strategic sourcing, contract development, supplier frameworks and preferred supplier lists
• Identify and deliver cost savings, efficiencies and innovative commercial solutions
• Provide expert advice on commercial, contractual and procurement compliance
• Leverage spend analytics and data to build business cases and inform decisions
• Drive transformation, continuous improvement and new ways of working across teams
• Lead, coach and develop team members and cultivate a high-performing culture
• Support the delivery of UCL’s Corporate Services strategic objectives

Key requirements

• Significant senior-level experience in category management, strategic sourcing and commercial transformation
• Experience across Corporate Services categories, including contingent labour, travel, MICE and marketing
• Proven track record in developing and implementing robust sourcing strategies and large-scale contracts
• Strong negotiation, influencing and stakeholder-management skills with senior leaders
• Experience in large, complex, decentralised organisations with diverse stakeholders
• Strong commercial data literacy; ability to interpret spend analytics with Excel and Power BI
• Excellent written and verbal communication; ability to present complex information clearly
• Strong organisational skills and ability to manage competing priorities
• Collaborative, innovative, evidence-based approach to problem-solving and continuous improvement
• Passion for developing people and sustainable procurement practices
• Relevant degree or equivalent professional experience (essential)

• strong communication
• stakeholder management
• leadership and mentoring
• spend analytics
• Excel
• Power BI

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