Category Manager, University of Derby

About the University

We have one simple promise – to make a positive impact. Through our ground-breaking research, teaching excellence and commitment to sustainable living, we are changing lives for the better.

The University of Derby is a modern university with a modern outlook. Everything we do is driven by delivering excellence and opportunities for our students, our staff and our region.

We have some of the best university facilities in the UK and achieve outstanding results for our teaching and research and have been awarded Gold in the prestigious Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023 – making it one of the top universities in the country recognised for its outstanding student experience and student outcomes. 

Financially strong and seriously ambitious we offer our employees an inclusive culture that centres itself around staff wellbeing, where you can be confident you will receive all the help and encouragement you need to build a rewarding career with lots of opportunities to enhance your skills.

About the College/Department

The Finance and Procurement teams play a crucial role in enabling the University to deliver on its strategic aims. This involves managing and maximising the University’s financial resources while providing expert financial advice and support to the wider University community. 

Our responsibilities encompass a wide range of essential functions, including providing strategic business partnering, delivering value from supplier relationships, managing effective working capital and cashflow and providing key financial support for our students. Additionally, we oversee all aspects of payroll and pensions management, and deliver comprehensive support for financial systems, tax compliance, and audit needs. Through these activities, we provide assurance to the University community around the financial health and efficiency of the University, supporting its mission and operations.  

About the Role

This key role sits within the University’s central Procurement team, supporting a wide range of devolved purchasing activity across the main Kedleston Road campus in Derby and our sites in Buxton and Chesterfield. 

As Category Manager, you will be an integral part of our category led strategic procurement function, supporting and managing several procurement categories with a high annual spend. You will shape and implement a strong, forward thinking category management approach that reflects our core values, promotes sustainable and responsible procurement, and delivers exceptional value for the University and its partners.

This is an opportunity to help develop category strategies with a focus for value for money, supporting key stakeholders and enhancing the student journey.

About You

We are looking for a professional who is Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (MCIPS) qualified or actively working towards the qualification, or who brings equivalent relevant experience with a commitment to completing the qualification within an agreed timeframe. You will have a strong track record in defining and managing a portfolio of spend categories, applying best practice approaches to understand demand and supply to deliver measurable benefits. 

You will also bring experience of managing risk across a diverse stakeholder community and a broad range of contract portfolios, ensuring robust, compliant and value focused procurement outcomes. Additionally, you will be confident in influencing staff at all levels, driving positive change and fostering a culture of continuous improvement across the organisation.

Benefits

Generous annual leave entitlement of 38 days inclusive of bank holidays and concessionary days (pro rata)Local Government Pension SchemeSuite of holistic wellbeing benefits and support including family-friendly policies, generous sick pay provision and comprehensive Employee Assistance ProgrammeAccess to a variety of staff discounts at high street retailersDiscounted onsite gymHoliday purchaseCycle to Work schemeA flexible working environmentA commitment to personal and professional development

Key Contact

For further information and informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact Karen Barber, Head of Procurement via [email protected] 

For enquiries regarding your application and for sponsorship eligibility, please contact the recruitment team via [email protected]

Important Information

The University is unable to sponsor the employment of international workers under the Skilled Worker route for this role; however, applications are welcome from candidates who are able to demonstrate an alternative right to work in the UK.

Please visit our website for more information.

The University of Derby is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all our staff, students and children. At the University of Derby, safeguarding is everybody's concern.

Please find our Safeguarding pages including our Safeguarding Policy here.

Closing Date: 15 Feb 2026

Area: Management, Professional and Specialist

Salary: £43,391 to £53,994 per annum (for exceptional performers, there is scope for further progression up to £62,093 per annum)