Overview

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Category Manager Estates to join a renowned higher education institution in Manchester, offering the chance to play a pivotal role in shaping one of the largest and most complex estates in the UK. This position is ideal for someone who thrives on strategic responsibility, enjoys collaborating with diverse teams, and is passionate about delivering value through effective procurement. The organisation is committed to responsible procurement and sustainability, ensuring your efforts contribute to operational excellence and to broader social and environmental goals.

What you'll do

• Take strategic ownership of estates-related spend across professional services, facilities management, consultancy, and both hard and soft FM services within a world-class environment.
• Develop and implement robust category strategies across professional services to ensure alignment with organisational objectives.
• Lead end-to-end procurement projects in full compliance with public contract regulations, ensuring transparency and best value at every stage.
• Partner closely with estates and facilities stakeholders to understand their needs and deliver solutions that support the wider campus development programme.
• Identify opportunities for cost savings, sustainability improvements, and long-term value creation within all aspects of estates procurement.
• Manage supplier relationships effectively to drive performance, ensure contract compliance, and foster collaborative partnerships.
• Support the achievement of responsible procurement goals by contributing to net zero targets and embedding social value into sourcing decisions.
• Monitor market trends and regulatory changes to inform category planning and maintain best practice standards.
• Prepare clear documentation and reports for internal governance processes, supporting informed decision-making at all levels.
• Contribute actively to knowledge sharing within the procurement team by mentoring colleagues or leading training sessions as required.

What you bring

To excel as Category Manager Estates, you will bring substantial expertise in managing complex procurement activities related to estates or facilities management. Your background will include hands-on experience navigating public sector frameworks enabling you to interpret regulations confidently while delivering tangible results. You will be adept at building trust-based relationships with both internal clients and external suppliers; your interpersonal skills will allow you to mediate competing interests constructively. A commitment to ethical sourcing practices is essential as you champion initiatives that advance sustainability goals. Your analytical abilities will underpin sound decision-making throughout project lifecycles, while your enthusiasm for professional growth ensures you remain abreast of industry developments.

• Demonstrated experience in estates, construction, or facilities management procurement within complex organisations.
• Comprehensive knowledge of public procurement regulations such as PCR 2015 and their practical application in large-scale projects.
• Exceptional communication skills enabling you to engage effectively with stakeholders at all levels across technical and non-technical backgrounds.
• A commercial mindset combined with a strategic approach to balancing value delivery against risk management imperatives.
• CIPS qualification (or working towards) or equivalent relevant experience gained through similar roles in the sector.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously while maintaining attention to detail under pressure.
• Commitment to responsible procurement practices including sustainability considerations and social value outcomes.

About the job

• Contract Type: Permanent
• Specialism: Procurement & Supply Chain
• Focus: Purchasing / Procurement
• Industry: Purchasing and Procurement
• Workplace Type: Hybrid
• Experience Level: Associate
• Location: Manchester
• Salary: Negotiable

Contract details

FULL_TIME

Job Reference: R51CJI-5B350A02

Date posted: 8 September 2025

Consultant: Richard Jones

Robert Walters Operations Limited is an employment business and employment agency and welcomes applications from all candidates