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Job description

The Category Manager will assist the Senior Category Manager and the Head of Procurement to ensure the successful implementation and delivery of a compliant, consistent and professional procurement service within EA. The Category Manager will be responsible for the effective delivery of fit for purpose contracts that maximise value throughout the commercial lifecycle of contracts. They will assist the Senior Category Manager in developing and implementing category management strategies to achieve the aims and objectives of EA, delivering value for money and supply chain improvement, embedding efficient and effective procurement processes that ensure procurement compliance across EA and provide a customer focussed Commercial and Procurement Service whilst providing professional procurement advice and support in line with the Procurement Legislation including the Procurement Act 2023 and Public Contract Regulations (2015), Northern Ireland Public Procurement Policy (NIPPP) and Procurement Policy Notes (PPNs).

Responsibilities

• Management of a Procurement Category to deliver effective category management strategies based upon business needs and emerging trends and manage contract reviews ensuring contract performance is managed in line with KPIs and customer requirements.
• Manage and develop an effective category management team to ensure competent and sustainable procurement resources are available to meet the needs of EA.
• Develop category level intelligent customer networks (stakeholder experts who will be utilised to provide advice and guidance to procurements) and manage ongoing relationships with EA Departments and wider EA customers.
• Ensure all procurement activity within category is conducted in line with EA QMS and complies with Procurement Legislation including Procurement Act 2023 and Public Contract Regulations (2015) and Procurement Policy Notes (PPNs).

Skills and Qualifications

Essential Skills

• Hold a Bachelor’s Degree or an equivalent or higher qualification and have two years experience working in Procurement OR have five years experience working in Procurement.
• Have two years experience in the management or supervision of staff.
• Have three years experience of managing the full procurement and contract management lifecycle.
• Knowledge and experience of applying Procurement Legislation including Procurement Act 2023 and Public Contract Regulations (2015), Northern Ireland Public Procurement Policy (NIPPP) and Procurement Policy Notes (PPNs) within Public sector contracts.
• Willingness to work towards achieving CIPS (Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply Chain Management) qualification.

Desirable Skills

• Have experience in the operation of the e-TendersNI.
• Have experience in the operation of an Oracle based Procure to Pay system.
• Ability to plan, manage and implement change.

Further Information

Primary Location : Antrim-Ballymena-Ballee Centre Other Locations : Belfast-Belfast Office, Armagh-Armagh Office, Omagh-Omagh Office A full list of responsibilities, essential and desirable skills can be found on the Education Authority website. The Education Authority is an equal opportunities employer.