Procurement Category Manager

Job summary

The Procurement Category Manager plays an important role in delivering effective, compliant and value for money procurement solutions across a defined portfolio of non-pay spend. Working with internal and external stakeholders, the role supports the development of category strategies and leads end to end procurement activity, including market engagement, tendering, evaluation, contract award and supplier relationship management, in line with UK public procurement regulations and government policy.

About us:

Our mission is: Leadership, Standards, Performance. This guides our work with individuals, forces, and policing partners towards our vision. We exist to support police officers, police staff and volunteers to deliver the best service to the public. Only through high quality leadership, consistent standards and continual performance improvement can everyone in policing reach their full potential. Our mission guides our work with individual, forces and partners towards our vision.

Although we are a relatively small organisation, our work has a big reach. We are uniquely placed to work both with national policing organisations and local forces to support frontline officers, staff and volunteers in their day-to-day roles.

We offer a supportive and inclusive environment for people to thrive. Our extensive flexible-working policy, employee wellbeing support, family friendly policies, employers’ network for equality and inclusion membership (ENEI silver award winners), and status as a disability confident leader means everyone can bring their whole self to work.

Additional Information:

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles.

Due to our status as Public Servants, we are not eligible to participate in the Civil Service transfer process. Therefore, while successful candidates can transfer in on their existing terms and conditions, any subsequent transfer out of the College to the Civil Service cannot be guaranteed on existing terms and conditions, and new starter/modernised terms may apply.

The College embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we comply with the Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) and apply the minimum selection criteria at sift stage of the recruitment process.

Our vetting

If successful, you will be required to undertake pre-employment security checks. You will be sent a security questionnaire which must be accessed within 24 hours. Please note, these checks can take up to 10 weeks. You will only be offered a start date after checks have been completed. If the outcome of these checks is not satisfactory, recommendation for employment will be withdrawn.

Job description

As part of the Procurement team, you will work within a collaborative commercial environment that supports the organisation’s strategic objectives through effective, compliant and value for money procurement. The team works closely with stakeholders across the organisation and wider government to deliver a broad range of procurement activity, from strategic sourcing and category planning through to contract award and supplier management. In this role, you will be responsible for leading procurement activity across a defined portfolio of non-pay spend. This will include developing category plans, managing end-to-end procurement processes and providing professional commercial advice to stakeholders. You will also contribute to the development of procurement capability across the organisation, support the management and development of procurement colleagues, and help embed consistent, sustainable and best practice procurement and contract management approaches.

Person specification

Some of your responsibilities will include:

• Lead category management and procurement delivery, developing category strategies and managing end‑to‑end procurement activity from route to market through to evaluation and contract award, ensuring robust governance, best‑practice processes and full compliance with procurement regulations and departmental policy.
• Shape and deliver a forward procurement pipeline, working proactively with stakeholders to understand business priorities, consolidate spend and identify collaborative opportunities across the public sector, informing the organisation’s annual Commercial Plan.
• Build strategic internal and external relationships to maximise collaboration, drive efficiencies, strengthen capability and promote the procurement profession, including engagement with Home Office Commercial, Crown Commercial Service and other government bodies.
• Embed a strong commercial culture, supporting the development and performance of procurement colleagues and championing commercially focused thinking across wider stakeholder groups.
• Manage supplier and contract performance, developing effective supplier relationships to manage risk, support innovation and deliver savings, while promoting consistent best practice in contract creation and contract management and supporting resolution of complex supplier issues.
• Select the most effective routes to market, balancing cost, resources and risk to secure best value for the organisation.

To be successful in this role you’ll need:

You will bring strong procurement capability and the confidence to manage complex sourcing activity while working collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders. In particular, you will demonstrate:

• L6 Graduate Diploma is Purchasing and Supply or 5+ years’ practical experience within a Procurement role
• The ability to manage end‑to‑end procurement activity, from developing requirements and sourcing strategies through to tendering, evaluation, contract award and supplier management.
• Commercial and analytical skills, including the ability to develop category or sourcing strategies, assess options, understand market dynamics, manage risk and deliver value for money.
• Knowledge of public sector procurement, including experience of applying UK public procurement regulations, government policy and public sector frameworks in practice.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build effective working relationships, provide professional advice, and influence outcomes with colleagues at different levels across the organisation and with external partners.
• Supplier and contract management capability, including structured management of key suppliers, supporting contract performance and resolving issues where they arise.
• Leadership and collaborative working, including experience of supporting, managing or developing procurement colleagues and contributing to a positive, inclusive and high‑performing team culture.
• Clear communication skills, with the confidence to present, negotiate and explain commercial and procurement issues to a range of audiences.
• Commitment to professional development, with relevant procurement qualifications or equivalent experience, and an ongoing focus on maintaining and developing professional knowledge and skills.

Please see the attached job description which contains full details of the role.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Changing and Improving
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Creating Tender Documentation
• Managing the Tender Process
• Drafting Contract documentation

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £46,108, College of Policing contributes £13,357 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

College staff have Public Servant status. As a Public Servant, you are eligible to join the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension Scheme.

The College is a great place to work. We're passionate about our people and offer a wide range of benefits, including (but not limited to):

Defined benefit pension scheme with an average employer contribution of 28.97%

• Up to 31.5 days holiday (this is in addition to 8 public holidays and 1 privilege day)
• Continued professional development and structured career paths
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave
• Flexi-time (for certain grades)
• Benenden Healthcare
• National Dental Plan
• Discounts for on-line shopping
• Free employee support line
• Interest free season ticket loans
• Rewards and recognition scheme
• Learning and development tailored to your role.
• An environment with flexible working options.
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity.

We also have a number of thriving staff networks that provide the opportunity for advice, support and to drive change. A place to get your voice heard, share experiences and challenge our working practices to ensure equality of opportunity for all.

For more information about our benefits and staff networks, visit What we offer as an employer , College of Policing

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

This post is open to applicants who can meet the College’s nationality, UK residency and vetting requirements.

Vacancy reference: 7044

Anticipated interview dates: Week commencing 02/03/2026 via Teams

Internal applicants who are at risk of redundancy or in need of redeployment and pass the recruitment process, will be given priority over other applicants.

An initial sift based on the lead technical skill “Managing the Tender Process” may be held if a large number of applications are received. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.

How to apply and contact information:

For further information visit our ‘Work for us’ page.

What it's like working at the College of Policing

If you would like to discuss the role in more detail please contact David Wilson (David.Wilson@college.police.uk), Head of Procurement.

Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

We believe that a diverse workforce brings many benefits to the organisation including diversity of thought and improvements to the way we work internally and with partners and communities. We strive to be fully inclusive but we know there is more to do. We genuinely encourage people from all backgrounds and underrepresented groups to apply for this role.

We want to continually improve our recruitment processes and to remove any barriers to equal opportunities that could disadvantage those from particular backgrounds. In order for us to have the information to do this, we ask you to please complete the diversity section of the online application process. We use a “blind” shortlisting process and we hope that by using this method we will be able to promote greater diversity in our workforce and remove any subconscious decisions based on biases.

The College is committed to support the Greening Government Commitment and reducing our Environmental impact. We have a dynamic Environmental Management Plan in place which encompasses various objectives, including our pledge to reduce business travel. To support our green agenda we have, in phase one, installed Electric Vehicle Charging Points at our sites in Ryton (12 points) and Harperley Hall (4 points) alongside two at our Harrogate office. We encourage employees to become an Environment Champion to help with promoting and delivering our Environmental Management Plan. Our One Step Greener approach encourages all College staff to make small changes to create a better future for everyone.

Please note that in order to work for the College of Policing you must have the Right to Work in the UK with indefinite leave to remain. In addition, you will also be required to provide an address history in the UK for the preceding 5 years.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : College of Policing Recruitment Team
• Email : recruitment@college.police.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : recruitment@college.police.uk

Attachments

T317 Procurement Category Manager V0.3 Opens in new window (pdf, 202kB)