Category Manager – Construction Operations
Location: Hertfordshire (Hybrid. Occasional travel expected to other sites across the UK)
Salary: £60,000 - £70,000 + £6,000 car allowance + 10% bonus
The Company
My client is a major player in the built environment and support services space, delivering essential projects and services across the UK. Large global business with 100,000 employees globally.
The Role
This is a hands-on leadership role for a procurement professional who can combine day-to-day operational buying oversight with strategic category and supplier management. Reporting to the Head of Procurement, you will manage a team of 5 Buyers, support procurement delivery across the division and act as a trusted business partner to operational stakeholders. The role is ideal for someone who is comfortable getting into the detail when needed, while also helping shape best practice, supplier strategy and team development.
Key Responsibilities
* Lead, manage and develop a team of 5 Buyers, ensuring a consistent, high-quality procurement service across the division.
* Oversee procurement activity across materials, plant, suppliers and subcontractors, while remaining hands-on in the ordering and operational buying process when required.
* Deliver ongoing cost savings, value improvement, compliance and risk reduction in line with procurement strategy and business targets.
* Act as the key link between procurement and operational teams, building strong stakeholder relationships and supporting contracts with practical procurement solutions.
* Support category and framework activity by driving use of agreed suppliers, improving visibility of contracts and helping embed best practice across the business.
Key Skills & Experience Required
* Strong procurement experience within construction, building materials, subcontractor, plant or wider operational buying environments.
* Previous experience managing or mentoring a procurement / buying team, with the credibility to handle day-to-day people leadership as well as performance and development.
* Able to work in a hands-on, fast-paced environment, managing operational workload while also contributing to wider strategic procurement initiatives.
* Good commercial and contractual awareness, with experience in supplier negotiation, framework usage, compliance and value delivery.
* Strong stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to influence operational teams and raise the profile of procurement within the business.
What’s in it for you?
* A genuine leadership role with 5 direct reports, giving you the chance to shape team performance and make a visible impact.
* Clear career progression opportunities, with future routes into Category Management, Supply Chain leadership and broader procurement management roles.
* Strong support for CIPS, professional development and long-term career growth within a large and well-established business.