At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead procurement for construction and housing projects, ensuring value and compliance.
- Company: London-based Local Authority with a focus on community development.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, hybrid working, and potential for permanent position.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a dynamic public sector environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in public sector procurement while advancing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in construction or housing procurement and strong negotiation skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 65000 £ per year.
A London-based Local Authority is seeking a Category Specialist - Construction & Housing for its Commercial and Procurement team.
This full-time, temporary contract offers a weekly salary of £480-£500, with hybrid working arrangements.
The role involves leading end-to-end procurement across a diverse portfolio, specifically focusing on housing and place-related procurement, including construction, capital works, repairs, maintenance, and associated service contracts.
The contract is interim with the opportunity to become permanent, and it allows hybrid working in London.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and deliver end-to-end procurement exercises across construction, housing and place-based categories, together with a small number of service contracts.
- Develop procurement strategies and sourcing plans that deliver value for money, manage risk and ensure compliance with procurement legislation.
- Manage the full tender process, including market engagement, specification development, tender documentation, evaluation, contract award and mobilisation.
- Build strong relationships with commissioners, operational managers and senior stakeholders to understand business requirements and deliver commercial solutions.
- Lead supplier negotiations and support effective contract and supplier performance management.
- Ensure procurement activity complies with the Procurement Act, Contract Standing Orders and internal governance requirements.
- Analyse category spend, market intelligence and supplier performance to identify savings, efficiencies and service improvements.
- Promote innovation, sustainability and social value throughout the procurement lifecycle.
- Support continuous improvement initiatives, knowledge sharing and the development of procurement best practice across the organisation.
About You
We’re particularly interested in speaking with procurement professionals who have a strong background in construction or housing procurement and can demonstrate experience delivering complex procurement projects within a public sector environment.
- Proven experience delivering end-to-end procurement across construction, housing, capital works, repairs, maintenance or place-based categories.
- Strong knowledge of public sector procurement legislation and governance requirements.
- Experience developing procurement strategies, category plans and commercial sourcing solutions.
- Excellent stakeholder management and supplier negotiation skills.
- Experience managing complex tender exercises from strategy through to contract award.
- Strong commercial awareness with the ability to identify opportunities for savings, efficiencies and improved supplier performance.
- Excellent analytical, communication and report-writing skills.
- CIPS qualification (or working towards) or equivalent procurement experience is desirable.
Essential Experience
- Public Sector Procurement
- Housing or Construction Procurement
- End‑to‑End Tender Management
- Category Management
- Contract & Supplier Management
- Procurement Strategy
- Stakeholder Management
- Commercial Negotiation
- Procurement Compliance
- CIPS (desirable)
Alongside a competitive £500 per day Inside IR35 rate, the role offers the potential to transition into a permanent position, making it an ideal opportunity for an experienced procurement professional looking for long‑term career progression.
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Category Specialist - Construction & Housing employer: JAM Recruitment Ltd
At JAM Recruitment Ltd, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that values the growth and development of our team members. Located in Birmingham, we offer a dynamic work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation, alongside competitive salaries and hybrid working options. With a strong focus on career progression, our employees are empowered to take on leadership roles and make a meaningful impact in the field of personal injury law.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Specialist - Construction & Housing
✨Get Involved in Local Procurement Meetups
Join local procurement and purchasing groups on platforms like Meetup or Eventbrite. These gatherings are great for networking with industry professionals, sharing insights, and potentially hearing about temporary roles that might not be widely advertised!
✨Seasonal Hiring Cycles are Your Friend!
Keep an eye on seasonal trends in procurement, as many companies ramp up hiring during certain times of the year – especially around end-of-financial-year periods when budgets are being utilised. Be proactive and reach out to companies directly during these windows.
✨Leverage Online Platforms for Temporary Roles
Don’t forget to browse specific job boards dedicated to temporary positions, such as Reed or Indeed. You can filter your search for procurement roles and set up alerts for when new jobs pop up, so you can apply immediately!
✨Showcase Your Skills on Professional Networks
Create short case studies or posts on LinkedIn showcasing your procurement experience or interesting projects you've tackled. This not only builds your visibility but can also attract recruiters looking for temporary talent like you!
We think you need these skills to ace Category Specialist - Construction & Housing
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Relevant Experience:When applying for a temporary role in procurement-purchasing, it's crucial to highlight any relevant experience you have. Mention specific tasks like negotiating contracts, managing supplier relationships, or optimising inventory. This will show JAM Recruitment Ltd that you can hit the ground running!
Keep it Concise and Impactful:For a temporary role, we recommend keeping your CV and cover letter concise. Focus on key achievements that showcase your procurement skills and any immediate impact you’ve made in past roles. Use bullet points for clarity—this way, JAM Recruitment Ltd can quickly grasp your capabilities!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got any certifications that are relevant to procurement, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply), don’t forget to mention them! This adds extra weight to your application and shows JAM Recruitment Ltd that you're serious about your professional development.
Emphasise Flexibility and Availability:Since this is a temporary position, make sure to emphasise your availability and flexibility in your cover letter. Let JAM Recruitment Ltd know when you can start and that you’re ready to adapt to their needs, making your application even more appealing!
How to prepare for a job interview at JAM Recruitment Ltd
✨Know Your Procurement Basics
Brush up on key procurement concepts and terms, like 'total cost of ownership' and 'supplier relationships'. We want to impress them with our knowledge! Being able to talk fluently about relevant techniques and tools specific to the procurement field will definitely lend credibility.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
In a purchasing role, you might get thrown some real-world scenarios to assess how you’d handle supplier negotiations or cost-saving strategies. Be ready to demonstrate your problem-solving skills! Practising how you'd tackle these situations in advance will help us shine during the interview.
✨Highlight Your Flexibility and Adaptability
Since it’s a temporary role, emphasise how you can quickly adapt to new processes and environments. Share examples of past experiences where you’ve tackled new challenges with ease, showing they can rely on us to hit the ground running and contribute immediately!
✨Show Off Your Tech Savvy
Being well-versed in procurement software like SAP or Coupa can set us apart from other candidates. If you've got experience with these tools, be sure to mention it! Having a handle on data analysis and reporting will also demonstrate our capability to leverage technology effectively in procurement.
