Position: Procurement Manager
Location: Manchester (With Hybrid Working)
Salary Guide: £57,000 - £68,000 Plus Package
Our client is a leading Engineering Contractor which operates throughout the UK delivering projects within the water sector. With 1500 staff, supporting ten long-term water sector frameworks, operating both as a sole contractor but also in joint ventures and alliances.
They have a new opportunity for a Procurement Manager to maintain high standards of governance, efficiency, and strategic alignment across their projects. You will be based from their Head Office near Manchester and report to their Head of Procurement. The role will be instrumental in:
Managing Category Strategy: Leading category initiatives to drive value, innovation, and cost efficiencies across key spend areas.
Owning the Supplier Approval Process: Ensuring all new and existing suppliers meet company standards for quality, compliance, and risk.
Enhancing Supplier Relationships: Building strong partnerships to ensure performance, compliance, and continuous improvement.
Supporting Operational Demands: Providing expert procurement support to meet increased workload and ensure timely, compliant sourcing.
Driving Consistency: Aligning procurement practices with company and client policies across all business units.
Strengthening the Central Function: Acting as a key link between operational teams and strategic procurement, embedding best practices and scalable processes.
Key responsibilities:
Team Leadership:
Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing Central Procurement Team.
Inspire and motivate team members to achieve individual and collective goals.
Foster a collaborative, customer-focused, and positive team culture.
Act as the escalation point for procurement-related queries and challenges.
Oversee people planning, budgeting, workload allocation, performance reviews, and training needs.
Supplier Onboarding & Performance Management:
Oversee supplier onboarding to ensure compliance and mitigate risk.
Support audits and ensure alignment with internal policies.
Monitor supplier performance and drive continuous improvement.
Manage key supplier relationships to maximise value.
Provide final approval on supplier evaluations.
Category Management & Framework Delivery:
Develop and execute category procurement strategies aligned with business goals.
Collaborate with stakeholders to meet operational needs.
Analyse market trends and risks to inform sourcing decisions.
Manage category plans and supplier engagement.
Lead tender processes, including ITTs/RFQs and evaluations.
Support negotiations on commercial terms, KPIs, and service levels.
Drive cost optimisation while maintaining quality and service.
Process Management & Improvement:
Ensure adherence to procurement policies, contracts, and regulations.
Implement best practices and drive continuous process improvement.
Promote sustainable procurement aligned with business values and ESG objectives.
Maintain and optimise the P2P system, ensuring clean and accurate data.
Performance, Reporting & Representation:
Prepare and present regular board-level reports on procurement performance.
Act as the key contact for supplier stability and risk communication.
Develop and monitor KPIs to assess team and individual performance.
Take on additional responsibilities as required, in line with the role.
Represent the department and organisation professionally in all interactions.
Skills, Experience and Qualifications:
Experience in category management within a senior procurement role.
Advanced knowledge of category management and procurement models.
Customer-centric approach to procurement delivery.
Strong leadership, communication, and negotiation skills.
Excellent analytical and decision-making abilities.
Organised, resilient, and deadline-driven.
Proficient in P2P and reporting systems, Excel, Power BI, and ideally Visio.
Demonstrable success in delivering cost savings and operational improvements.
Strong understanding of supply chains, frameworks, and contract law.
Experience shaping procurement policies and procedures.
Confident and constructive stakeholder engagement
Desirable:
MCIPS qualified or working towards.
Experience in category management and supplier segmentation.
Knowledge of ISO standards, ESG compliance, and ethical sourcing practices.
Experience in regulated industries (e.g. utilities, pharmaceuticals, aerospace, food).
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