Category Manager (it&t)

North West London, United Kingdom

Job Description

About us
At University College London (UCL), we are proud to be recognised as London's Global University -- a world-leading institution that combines pioneering research, innovative teaching, and a diverse community of over 51,000 students and 18,000 staff from more than 150 countries.
Our Commercial & Procurement function plays a key role in supporting UCL's strategic ambitions and long-term financial sustainability. With an annual spend of over 900 million, the team ensures that every procurement decision delivers value for money, drives innovation, and supports UCL's Sustainable Procurement Strategy.
We work collaboratively across the university to ensure that our partnerships, sourcing strategies, and supplier relationships help UCL achieve its mission -- advancing knowledge, addressing global challenges, and creating positive social impact. Joining our team means contributing to a culture of excellence, integrity, and continuous improvement within one of the UK's most dynamic higher education environments.
About the role
The role sits within the IT & Telecoms (IT&T) category team, supporting UCL's technology strategy and ensuring value for money across hardware, software, and telecoms services. The successful candidates will work on high-profile projects such as end-user hardware procurement, cyber security, mobile solutions, and Audio Visual frameworks, collaborating closely with Information Services Division and Estates to deliver innovative, sustainable solutions.
Key aspects include:

  • Leading on Category plans
  • Liaising and building relationships with senior stakeholders
  • Managing complex IT&T procurement activities, including OEM and reseller tenders.
  • Driving commercial negotiations with leading technology suppliers to achieve significant cost savings and sustainability benefits
  • Supporting strategic initiatives such as Autopilot rollout, mobility projects, and Audio Visual framework renewal
  • Working with stakeholders to ensure compliance with UCL's governance and procurement policies
About you
You are a strategic, commercially minded procurement professional with extensive experience managing complex sourcing and contract management activities in large, multi-stakeholder environments. You combine strong analytical and negotiation skills with the ability to build trusted relationships at a senior level, influencing outcomes and driving innovation.
You bring a proven track record of developing and implementing category strategies that deliver measurable value and efficiency. You're confident leading major procurement projects, managing supplier relationships, and using data to inform decisions and drive change.
Your communication skills -- both written and verbal -- are excellent, allowing you to present complex commercial information clearly and persuasively. You're highly organised, adaptable, and collaborative, with a natural ability to balance strategic objectives and hands-on delivery.
Ideally, you'll hold (or be working towards) CIPS accreditation and have prior experience in IT, telecoms, or communications-related procurement. Above all, you are committed to innovation, sustainability, and service excellence -- reflecting UCL's values and contributing to its long-term success.
What we offer
As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer some great benefits some of which are below:
  • 41 Days holiday (27 days annual leave 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days)
  • Additional 5 days' annual leave purchase scheme
  • Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE)
  • Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan
  • Immigration loan
  • Relocation scheme for certain posts
  • On-Site nursery
  • On-site gym
  • Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
  • Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service
  • Discounted medical insurance
Visit to find out more.
Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
As London's Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world's talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong.
We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL's workforce.
These include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQI+ people; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women.
Available documents

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Job Detail

  • Job Id
    JD4269535
  • Industry
    Not mentioned
  • Total Positions
    1
  • Job Type:
    Full Time
  • Salary:
    Not mentioned
  • Employment Status
    Full Time
  • Job Location
    North West London, United Kingdom
  • Education
    Not mentioned