At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead procurement strategies for outsourced construction, ensuring high-quality and compliant delivery.
- Company: BUUK Infrastructure, a leader in utility innovation for a sustainable future.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, generous holiday, pension contributions, and hybrid working options.
- Other info: We promote diversity and inclusion, welcoming applicants from all backgrounds.
- Why this job: Join us to drive impactful change towards net zero while developing your career.
- Qualifications: CIPS Level 5 and experience in strategic procurement or category management.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
At BUUK Infrastructure, our vision is to be the leading utility partner to accelerate the UK towards net zero for all our customers. Our group of companies has been the major drive for change and innovation over 30 years. We provide a supportive environment that is committed to enabling our people to be the best, ensuring they feel proud to be themselves and part of BUUK Infrastructure.
We are looking for a Category Manager Outsourced Construction who would like to help us reach our mission to earn customer loyalty and drive business growth by providing consistently excellent service.
Purpose of this role: The Procurement Category Manager Outsourced Construction will lead the category strategy, sourcing, supplier management, and commercial delivery for all Group spend relating to all externally delivered construction works. This includes civils, utilities installation, reinstatement, jointing, metering, and related specialist services required to deliver new connections. This role will ensure safe, high-quality, compliant, and cost-effective delivery that supports the Group's operational targets, customer commitments, and regulatory obligations.
You will act as the commercial business partner to the Construction, Engineering, Design, Commercial and Finance leadership teams, driving procurement excellence, ensuring robust governance, and enabling supplier innovation to support both operational and strategic business objectives.
Your key responsibilities are:
- Collaboratively develop and implement multiyear outsourced construction category strategies aligned to the Group's growth plans, delivery models, and regulatory environment.
- Conduct market analysis, benchmarking, and supply chain risk assessments.
- Lead competitive sourcing events (RFPs, RFQs, negotiations) across civil engineering services, utilities installation, reinstatement, specialist contractors, jointing teams, and multi-utility construction partners to secure high-performing delivery partners.
- Drive commercial optimisation across framework agreements, Major-Project Contracts and Bespoke Engineering contracts.
- Own strategic supplier relationships with key construction partners, ensuring safe working, high-quality outputs, regulatory compliance, and strong delivery performance.
- Manage contract lifecycles, renewals, performance reviews, KPIs, commercial change controls, and risk mitigation.
- Partner closely with Construction, Engineering, Design, Commercial and Finance teams to understand delivery needs, capacity challenges, and programme requirements.
- Translate business needs into robust procurement strategies that secure capacity, manage risk, and improve efficiency.
- Maintain strong controls around spend visibility, contractual documentation, and audit readiness.
- Monitor supplier risk, including safety performance, compliance against technical & regulatory standards, financial stability, and supply chain resilience.
- Promote sustainability, social value, and carbon-reduction initiatives across the outsourced construction supply chain.
- Any other duties as required by the Procurement Manager.
Qualifications: CIPS Level 5.
Experience/Knowledge: Proven experience in strategic procurement/category management, ideally within related sectors. Strong commercial negotiation skills with demonstrable cost and value delivery. Experience managing complex supplier relationships and multi-year contracts. Strong analytical capabilities.
Abilities/Skills: Managing stakeholders at all levels. Able to work independently and build cross-functional relationships. Highly organised with focus on delivery and attention to detail.
Desirable: Degree or Post Graduate Qualification. Experience working in utility infrastructure or similar sector.
Conditions of Employment: You will hold a driving licence.
What can you expect from us:
- Cost of living annual pay review.
- Company pension contributions up to 10% if employees contribute 5%.
- 33 days holiday including bank holidays with the ability to purchase an additional 2 weeks.
- Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay.
- Referral payment of £1000 (net of tax) for successful referrals.
- Hybrid working for eligible roles.
- Development opportunities to reach your career aspirations.
- BUUK has an award-winning culture.
- We care about your wellbeing and safety.
- We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, advocating for equity, diversity and inclusion.
If you would like to be a part of our team and you meet many, but not all our requirements for this role, please apply. You can also ask us about flexible working options. Please note we reserve the right to close the role early. Therefore, if you're interested in this role, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible.
Category Manager Outsourced Construction in Southampton employer: BUUK Infrastructure
At BUUK Infrastructure, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work environment that champions employee wellbeing and professional growth. As a Category Manager in Outsourced Construction, you will play a pivotal role in driving our mission towards net zero while enjoying benefits such as a competitive pension scheme, generous holiday allowance, and opportunities for hybrid working. Our award-winning culture fosters collaboration and innovation, ensuring you feel valued and empowered to make a meaningful impact in the utility sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Manager Outsourced Construction in Southampton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the construction and procurement sectors on LinkedIn. Join relevant groups, engage in discussions, and don’t be shy to ask for informational interviews. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by researching BUUK Infrastructure thoroughly. Understand their mission towards net zero and think about how your experience aligns with their goals. Tailor your answers to show you’re not just a fit for the role, but also for their culture.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or use online platforms. Focus on articulating your strategic procurement experience and how you’ve managed supplier relationships. The more comfortable you are, the better you’ll perform when it counts.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, keep an eye on our careers page for any new opportunities that pop up. We’re always looking for talent that can help us drive innovation and excellence!
We think you need these skills to ace Category Manager Outsourced Construction in Southampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight how your experience aligns with the role of Category Manager Outsourced Construction. Use keywords from the job description to show that you understand what we're looking for.
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; focus on your achievements in previous roles. Quantify your successes where possible, like cost savings or efficiency improvements, to demonstrate your impact in strategic procurement.
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured documents that are easy to read. Avoid jargon unless it’s relevant to the construction and procurement sectors.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. This ensures your application is received promptly and allows us to process it efficiently. Plus, it shows you're keen to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at BUUK Infrastructure
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into BUUK Infrastructure's mission and values. Understand their commitment to net zero and how your role as a Category Manager Outsourced Construction fits into that vision. Being able to discuss specific projects or initiatives they’ve undertaken will show you’re genuinely interested.
✨Showcase Your Experience
Prepare to discuss your previous experience in strategic procurement and category management. Highlight any relevant projects where you successfully managed supplier relationships or led competitive sourcing events. Use specific examples to demonstrate your commercial negotiation skills and how you delivered value.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Since this role involves collaborating with various teams, be ready to talk about how you’ve effectively managed stakeholders in the past. Share examples of how you built cross-functional relationships and addressed capacity challenges, showcasing your ability to work independently while still being a team player.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions that reflect your understanding of the role and the company. Inquire about their current challenges in outsourced construction or how they measure success in supplier performance. This not only shows your interest but also helps you gauge if the company is the right fit for you.
