Central Procurement Manager - National Infrastructure Frameworks
Manchester
£55,000 to £65,000 + car & package
A major UK design-and-build contractor operating across the utilities sector is expanding its central procurement function to meet increased framework delivery demands with the addition of a Central Procurement Manager within their team in Manchester. The successful candidate will quickly become an integral part of my clients procurement team who operate across multiple long-term alliances with responsibility for complex, high-value infrastructure projects.
Role Overview
The Central Procurement Manager will lead the strategic procurement function, driving category strategy, supplier governance, and operational alignment across multiple business units. The role reports to the Head of Procurement and is based near Manchester with hybrid working. It requires leadership of a central team delivering procurement governance, category management, and supplier performance improvement.
Key Responsibilities
Leadership
Lead and develop a high-performing central procurement team
Oversee performance management, resource allocation, and training plans
Act as escalation point for procurement issues and decision-making
Foster a results-driven and compliant team culture
Supplier Management
Oversee supplier onboarding and compliance audits
Ensure adherence to internal and client governance frameworks
Manage supplier performance and drive measurable improvement
Lead strategic supplier reviews and approve final evaluations
Category and Framework Management
Develop and implement category strategies that drive value and innovation
Execute procurement programmes across frameworks to deliver cost efficiency
Analyse market trends and risks to inform category planning
Lead end-to-end tendering processes, negotiations, and contract awards
Manage supplier segmentation and category performance reporting
Governance and Process Improvement
Enforce compliance with procurement policies, contracts, and legislation
Drive standardisation and process optimisation across procurement operations
Promote sustainable and ethical sourcing in line with ESG commitments
Oversee integrity of procurement systems and data accuracy
Performance and Reporting
Produce board-level reports on procurement performance and supplier stability
Track KPIs across category and team performance metrics
Represent the procurement function with internal and external stakeholders
Essential Requirements
Senior-level procurement experience with proven category management capability
Strong commercial acumen and understanding of contract law and supply chains
Demonstrated success in cost reduction, process improvement, and risk control
Leadership experience managing multi-disciplinary procurement teams
Proficient in P2P systems, Excel, Power BI, and reporting tools
Skilled communicator and negotiator, able to engage at executive level
Organised, decisive, and delivery-focused
Desirable Requirements
MCIPS qualification or active progression toward certification
Experience in regulated or complex project environments (utilities, infrastructure, manufacturing, or engineering)
Knowledge of ISO frameworks, ESG governance, and ethical procurement standards
Benefits and Development
Starting salary of £55,000 to £65,000
£5,000 car/travel allowance
Hybrid working model
25 days annual leave plus bank holidays, with purchase option
Contributory pension, life assurance, and private medical cover
Health insurance, cycle-to-work scheme, and employee savings platform
Structured leadership development and progression within a national delivery business
If you're an experienced Central Procurement Manager keen on joining an established and growing business, get in touch with Matt Clegg at Gold Group today for a confidential chat.
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