Category Manager

University of Cambridge - Finance Division

The University of Cambridge is seeking an experienced Category Manager to deliver high-quality, strategic procurement across a diverse and complex organisation. The Procurement Services team at the University of Cambridge has undergone an exciting transformation over the last four years, expanding the team and progressing the way we work with our suppliers and internal customers.

In this influential role, you will shape and deliver category strategies that support University wide objectives, ensuring the university leverages it's spend to secure outstanding value and long-term, sustainable benefits.

The Role

You will be at the heart of procurement delivery for our diverse devolved departments, developing and delivering agreed University-wide category and commodity strategies which align with the University's Procurement strategies objectives and aspirations.

You will drive the development of effective procurement and commercial solutions to deliver a supplier portfolio that proactively satisfies the University needs; support departments by managing major procurement events; manage their category of procurement to optimise financial and sustainability benefits; and advise internal stakeholders including departmental budget-holders and central bodies on strategic commodity management.

Your Skills

The ideal candidate will have:
- Significant experience operating within a complex procurement environment.
- A strong track record in category management and commercial contract management.
- Excellent relationship building skills, with the ability to engage and influence both internal customers and external suppliers.
- Strong commercial and analytical skills, with the ability to manage multiple sourcing activities concurrently.
- Comprehensive knowledge of modern procurement techniques such as Value for Money, Whole Life Costing, and Sustainability Market Testing.

Benefits

The University offers an excellent benefit package including:

• 41 days annual leave, inclusive of Bank Holidays
• Defined benefits pension schemes
• Flexible working options
• Family-friendly initiatives
• Career development opportunities
• Support for health and mental wellbeing

Location

The University is supportive of hybrid working, where some work is undertaken on university premises and some in a remote working environment. The aim of our approach is to enable staff to work in a hybrid way if they wish and where their role allows. Procurement Service's in-office day's are presently Wednesday and Thursday. This arrangement is subject to change and will not form a part of the contractual terms of the role.

Funding for this post is available on a Permanent basis.

Once an offer of employment has been accepted, the successful candidate will be required to undergo a basic disclosure and a security check. Click the 'Apply' button below to register an account with our recruitment system (if you have not already) and apply online.

If you would like more information about this role, informal enquiries can be directed by email to riane.cooke@admin.cam.ac.uk

If you have any questions the application process, please contact a Recruitment Administrator at Finhr_recruitment@admin.cam.ac.uk.

The closing date for applications is 12 April 2026. The interview date for the role is planned for w/c 20 April 2026.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society. The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

Please quote reference AG49178 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

Further Information - Category Manager - PDF