Procurement Category Manager - Estates

We have an exciting opportunity for a Procurement Category Manager to join the University of Surrey’s Finance team, playing a pivotal role in developing and delivering the University’s procurement strategy for estates-related goods, services, and capital projects.

The role focuses on driving value for money, managing risk, and ensuring compliance, while building strong, commercially effective supplier partnerships that support the University’s long-term estates and sustainability objectives.

The role

Working in close collaboration with estates teams, project managers, and key stakeholders to understand operational and project-specific requirements, you will enable the delivery of fit-for-purpose procurement solutions that improve asset performance, project outcomes, and lifecycle value.

While the primary focus is estates, construction, maintenance, and facilities management, the role may also support wider University procurement initiatives as required. 

Key responsibilities will include:

• Developing and delivering the Estates category strategy
• Establishing and managing effective framework agreements
• Providing commercial leadership and stakeholder influence
• Leading complex sourcing, tendering, and negotiations
• Driving commercial value and performance improvement
• Improving supplier management, standardisation, and systems
• Ensuring governance, contracts, and capability development

About you

The role requires a solid understanding of capital works projects, including construction, refurbishment programmes, and infrastructure maintenance.

Flexibility of approach is essential, as is the ability to demonstrate strong leadership and collaboration with internal colleagues and other stakeholders to define and agree specific role responsibilities.

You will also have:

• Highly developed knowledge of procurement principles and practices, particularly Estates Facilities and Commercial Services related procurement
• Significant experience in managing complex procurements in a services organisation, including advertising, tendering, contract drafting, negotiation and managing supplier relationships
• Strong operational knowledge of JCT and NEC suite of contracts
• The proven ability to lead procurement related business improvement and organisational change projects

What we can offer

In addition to a competitive salary you will receive 25 days annual leave, with additional days for Bank Holidays and University closure days. We offer a generous pension, flexible working options, access to world-class leisure facilities, a range of travel schemes and supportive family friendly benefits including an excellent on-site nursery.

How to apply

To apply please upload your CV and cover letter to the University website.

Informal enquiries should be directed to Nick Jones via n.p.jones@surrey.ac.uk 

Please note, we are not looking for any external agency support on this role at this time.

The University of Surrey is committed to providing an inclusive environment that offers equal opportunities for all. We value everyone in our community and are seeking to increase the diversity. Therefore, we particularly encourage applications from under-represented groups, such as people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic groups and people with disabilities. 

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