Category Manager

Our client is currently looking to recruit a Category Manager - Construction, on an initial 6 month contract

Category Manager - Construction
£500 per day
Central London - Hybrid

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced construction procurement professional to play a key role in a significant £1.5 billion construction programme.
We are seeking a Category Manager – Construction to lead sourcing and procurement activity across a diverse portfolio of capital projects, including new hospital developments, student accommodation, refurbishment of teaching facilities and laboratories, and a range of building services and infrastructure projects.
This is an opportunity to combine strategic category management with hands-on procurement delivery, working across multiple projects valued at approximately £5 million to £7 million each. You will play a central role in developing sourcing strategies, negotiating commercial agreements and working with project teams and senior stakeholders to secure the right suppliers, manage costs and deliver value for money.
We are looking for someone who understands the construction market, can manage competing priorities across a complex project portfolio and has the commercial confidence to lead negotiations and influence decisions at all levels.

The role
You will be responsible for managing construction procurement across a varied and demanding estates development portfolio. Working closely with project delivery teams, Estates colleagues, Finance, Legal and other stakeholders, you will translate project requirements into effective category and sourcing strategies.
Your portfolio will span construction and refurbishment projects, mechanical and electrical (M&E) services, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), and professional services. You will manage multiple procurement exercises concurrently, ensuring that sourcing activity is commercially robust, compliant and aligned with project budgets, programme requirements and organisational objectives.
You will balance the development of longer-term category strategies with the practical delivery of individual procurements, from market engagement and tender preparation through to negotiation, evaluation and contract award.

Key responsibilities

• Category management: Develop and deliver construction category strategies aligned with the wider estates development programme, identifying opportunities to improve value, supplier performance and procurement efficiency.
• Strategic sourcing: Lead end-to-end sourcing activity for a broad range of construction and estates projects, selecting appropriate procurement routes and developing robust tender and evaluation approaches.
• Project procurement: Manage multiple concurrent projects, typically valued at £5 million to £7 million each, ensuring procurement milestones align with project budgets, delivery schedules and operational requirements.
• Construction and refurbishment: Support procurement across new-build developments, student accommodation, teaching facilities, laboratories and refurbishment programmes, alongside associated building services and infrastructure requirements.
• Building services and professional services: Lead sourcing activity for HVAC, mechanical and electrical services, construction-related professional services and other specialist requirements.
• Negotiation and commercial management: Lead supplier negotiations, challenge costs and commercial assumptions, evaluate bids and secure competitive terms without compromising quality, compliance or project outcomes.
• Stakeholder engagement: Build strong relationships with project managers, Estates teams, technical specialists, Finance, Legal and senior stakeholders, translating complex requirements into effective procurement solutions.
• Supplier and market engagement: Develop a strong understanding of the construction supply market, engage with potential suppliers and consultants, assess market capacity and capability, and identify opportunities to improve competition and supplier performance.
• Risk and compliance: Identify procurement, commercial and supply chain risks, ensuring sourcing decisions are transparent, defensible and aligned with applicable procurement requirements and internal governance.
• Continuous improvement: Use market intelligence, procurement data and lessons learned to improve category strategies, sourcing processes and commercial outcomes across the programme.

About you
You will be an experienced procurement or category management professional with a strong background in construction, estates, infrastructure or capital development. You will combine excellent sourcing and negotiation skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and build trusted relationships with a wide range of stakeholders.
You will bring:

• Significant experience in construction procurement, category management or strategic sourcing within a complex project or capital investment environment.
• Proven experience managing multiple procurement exercises and competing project priorities simultaneously.
• Experience sourcing construction, refurbishment, building services or related professional services.
• Strong end-to-end sourcing skills, including procurement strategy development, market engagement, tender preparation, bid evaluation, negotiation and contract award.
• Excellent commercial judgement, with the ability to challenge pricing, assess bids and secure value for money.
• Strong negotiation skills and the confidence to influence suppliers, project teams and senior stakeholders.
• Experience working collaboratively with technical and operational teams to translate project requirements into effective procurement strategies.
• A sound understanding of procurement governance, contractual considerations, commercial risk and supplier market dynamics.
• Strong analytical, organisational and project management skills, with the ability to prioritise effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• A proactive, collaborative approach and the ability to identify opportunities for continuous improvement.

A relevant degree or equivalent professional experience is essential. Professional procurement qualifications, such as CIPS, would be advantageous, alongside experience working within a large, complex or regulated organisation.

The opportunity
This role offers the chance to make a direct contribution to a major construction and estates development programme, supporting projects that will shape buildings and facilities for years to come.
You will work across a varied portfolio of high-value projects, influence procurement strategy, develop supplier relationships and deliver tangible commercial benefits in a collaborative and ambitious environment.
If you are a commercially minded construction procurement professional who thrives on managing complex sourcing activity, negotiating with suppliers and delivering results across multiple projects, we would welcome your application.

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