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A new era for procurement at Manchester

25 Sep 2026

Our new procurement policy: what this means for you

Procurement at Manchester is changing, and at the heart of this transformation is our new Procurement Policy.

It sets out clear principles and expectations for buying at Manchester, giving colleagues a consistent, transparent framework for making good commercial decisions. To support this, we’ve also created a simple Policy Crib Sheet with the practical steps colleagues need to follow.

Alongside the policy, we’re also refreshing our wider approach. We’re changing our name from the Central Procurement Office to Commercial & Procurement Services (CPS), reflecting our broader role in helping colleagues achieve better value from University spending and manage suppliers more effectively

Other key changes to know about

  • Earlier commercial support – working with colleagues sooner to help shape requirements, explore the market and identify the most appropriate route forward.
  • A clearer service offer – our new Customer Charter sets out what colleagues can expect from CPS and how we can work together to achieve better outcomes.
  • Better management of our suppliers and contracts – supporting colleagues beyond the initial purchase, with greater focus on supplier performance, value, risk, renewals and continuous improvement.

The changes directly support From Manchester, for the world, with our ambition to build a more financially sustainable University and create simpler, more consistent ways of working. CPS will help colleagues make informed commercial decisions, get greater value from University spending, and manage suppliers and contracts more effectively.

We’re also a key stakeholder in Future Foundations, using the capabilities within Oracle Fusion to simplify procurement processes and make it easier for colleagues to buy goods and services.

Find out more

  • Planning on buying something, approaching a contract renewal or simply aren’t sure where to start? Get in touch with us here.
  • Access our new Procurement Policy, use the Procurement Policy Crib Sheet, explore our Customer Charter and access further guidance through our StaffNet pages.
  • If useful for your team, we can also join a team meeting or arrange a short briefing.