Are you ready to take your procurement career to new heights? The Head of Category (Property Services) role might be your next step.
As Head of Category working in Imperial’s Procurement team, you will Lead strategic procurement for Imperial’s £750m Property Services Portfolio.
You’ll shape sustainable strategies, negotiate complex high-value contracts, and drive supplier relationships to deliver best-in-class outcomes. Working with senior leaders and cross-functional teams, you’ll optimise costs, enhance efficiency, and ensure compliance—all while influencing at the highest level. This is a senior leadership role offering autonomy, impact, and the chance to transform one of the UK’s most ambitious property developments.
1. You will act as a trusted advisor to senior leaders, shaping best-practice procurement strategies and routes to market.
2. Develop and implement a cross-functional procurement strategy that drives value, innovation, and efficiency.
3. Lead and deliver end-to-end procurement for high-value, complex property contracts including soft services and maintenance aligned with University goals.
4. You will build and nurture strong supplier relationships to ensure compliance, performance, and continuous improvement.
5. Negotiate complex, high-value contracts and resolve commercial or legal disputes as lead negotiator.
6. Drive supplier performance through robust monitoring, reporting, and continuous improvement initiatives.
7. Establish a contract management framework and supplier relationship programme for strategic and tactical suppliers.
8. Champion sustainability and social value, embedding ethical and environmental principles in all sourcing decisions.
9. You will optimise procurement processes, leveraging economies of scale, digital tools, and data-driven insights.
10. Will lead and mentor a Category Manager, fostering excellence, innovation, and career development.
11. Hold a degree or equivalent in Business, Finance, Supply Chain Management, Procurement, or an equivalent field.
12. Hold professional certifications, in particular MCIPS (Member of the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply) or equivalent.
13. Have a proven track record with extensive corporate or multidisciplinary procurement expertise.
14. Strong working knowledge and experience of procurement procedures and regulations governing the invitation, evaluation, and award of contracts for complex procurement.
15. Advanced negotiation and influencing skills, with the ability to drive cost savings while maintaining strong supplier relationships and high-quality outcomes.
16. Ability to demonstrate leadership in procurement, stakeholder influence, best-practice application, and effective communication skills is critical.
17. The opportunity to be a key player in a team that is integral to the smooth running of Imperial’s Procurement process.
18. The opportunity to continue your career at a world-leading institution and be part of our mission to use science for humanity.
19. Benefit from a sector-leading salary and remuneration package (including 41 days’ annual leave and generous pension schemes).
20. Access to a range of workplace benefits including a flexible working policy from day one, generous family leave packages, on-site leisure facilities and cycle-to-work scheme.
21. Interest-free season ticket loan schemes for travel.
22. Be part of a diverse, inclusive and collaborative work culture with various and resources to support your personal and professional .