At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and manage capital procurement for a £350 million works programme.
- Company: NIW, a leader in capital investment and procurement excellence.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, generous leave, and wellness programmes.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team with opportunities for professional growth and development.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact on large-scale projects and drive strategic procurement initiatives.
- Qualifications: Third level qualification or extensive senior management experience in capital procurement.
The predicted salary is between 46000 - 52000 £ per year.
The Head of Capital Procurement is responsible for leading and managing the procurement of the capital works programme (CWP) and the development and execution of the strategy for future capital delivery frameworks.
- Lead and manage the NIW Capital Procurement Strategy.
- Lead and manage procurement and tendering of all capital works projects through the e-Sourcing web system and ensure compliance with the Utilities Contract Regs and Procurement Act - where appropriate.
- Lead and manage the governance of project approval gateways, supporting overall status of Centre of Procurement Excellence.
- Lead and manage the Framework Supplier Performance management.
- Ensure the effective procurement of resources to deliver the capital investment programme.
- Quality assurance of contract documents and maintain the NIW standard set of NEC Contract Documents.
- Lead and manage compliance with H&S, EMS and other relevant legislation pertaining to the CWP.
- Represent NIW at various external groups at DRD, CPD, SIB, Industry, etc.; and play a lead role in maintaining ISO 9001 accreditation for NIW and as a Centre of Procurement Expertise.
The overall capital works programme is currently circa £350 million per annum. The Capital Works Programme (CWP) is a rolling programme, comprised at any one time of a large number of projects at varying stages of the design and delivery lifecycle. It is important that the programme is planned in an efficient and effective manner to ensure assets are delivered in line with business needs and the regulatory settlement.
Applicants MUST be able to demonstrate in their application and where necessary at interview:
ESSENTIAL CRITERIA- A third level qualification (e.g. degree/ HNC/ HND or equivalent) in any discipline; AND a minimum of 3 years relevant senior management experience within a capital investment programme environment, gained through direct involvement in construction procurement activity. OR (in the absence of a third level qualification) A minimum of 5 years relevant senior management experience within a capital investment programme environment, gained through direct involvement in construction procurement activity.
- At least 2 years' relevant and successful senior level experience in each of the following:
- Experience in developing and executing strategies for significant capital procurement programmes £10 million or more using NEC contracts.
- Experience managing strategic supplier performance, including driving improvement and managing delivery risk.
- Strong senior level stakeholder engagement and communication skills across organisations and supply chains.
- Experience overseeing capital construction projects, including NEC contract delivery and commercial outcomes.
In the event of a large number of applications, in the first instance, candidates may be short-listed on the following desirable criteria:
- Experience operating within HMT Gateway processes and/or equivalent major programme governance frameworks.
- Experience in procurement, supply chain management and governance to support a capital works programme of over £100m.
- Chartered membership of Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply (CIPS) or similar.
- Possess a professional qualification or achieved chartered / engineering qualifications or equivalent status.
- This Band 3b role offers a competitive remuneration package. Salary will be confirmed with the successful candidate on appointment. Salaries are reviewed annually effective 1st April.
- Location: Westland Complex, 40 Old Westland Road, Belfast, BT14 6TE.
- Generous annual leave and public/privilege holidays.
- Flexible working and family friendly policies.
- Hybrid Working (applicable to some of our roles after three months following onboarding and training).
- Occupational sick pay.
- Employee assistance programmes.
- Cycle to work scheme.
- One of the largest corporate volunteering schemes in NI.
- Award winning health and wellbeing programme which focuses on supporting four key areas of employee health: Physical, Mental, Social and Financial.
To submit your application, please click the APPLY icon. For additional information about the role please download a Candidate Brief, available below.
Closing date for submission of Applications: Monday 18th May .00am Interview Dates: W/C 1st June 2026.
Head of Capital Procurement employer: NI Water
Contact Detail:
NI Water Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Capital Procurement
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry and let them know you're on the hunt for a Head of Capital Procurement role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on an opportunity or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by researching the company and its capital works programme. Show us that you understand their needs and how your experience aligns with their goals. Tailor your responses to highlight your strategic procurement skills and supplier performance management.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, drop a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity. It keeps you fresh in their minds and shows your enthusiasm for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We make it easy for you to submit your application and keep track of your progress. Plus, it shows us that you're genuinely interested in joining our team at NIW.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Capital Procurement
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your relevant senior management experience in capital procurement. We want to see how you've tackled projects similar to the ones we handle, especially those over £10 million using NEC contracts.
Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic application! Tailor your CV and cover letter to reflect the specific skills and experiences mentioned in the job description. We love seeing candidates who take the time to connect their background with our needs.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. We appreciate well-structured applications that make it easy for us to see your qualifications and achievements without wading through unnecessary fluff.
Apply Through Our Website: Remember to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role and our company there.
How to prepare for a job interview at NI Water
✨Know Your Numbers
Make sure you’re familiar with the capital works programme and its financials. Be ready to discuss how you've managed projects worth over £10 million, and have examples of your strategies for procurement at that scale. This shows you understand the financial implications and can handle significant budgets.
✨Showcase Your Compliance Knowledge
Brush up on the Utilities Contract Regulations and the Procurement Act. Be prepared to explain how you've ensured compliance in past roles, especially regarding NEC contracts. This will demonstrate your attention to detail and understanding of legal frameworks in procurement.
✨Engage Stakeholders Effectively
Prepare to discuss your experience in stakeholder engagement. Think of specific instances where you’ve successfully communicated with various parties, from suppliers to internal teams. Highlight your communication skills and how they’ve helped drive project success.
✨Demonstrate Leadership in Governance
Be ready to talk about your experience with governance frameworks like HMT Gateway processes. Share examples of how you've led project approval gateways and maintained standards, such as ISO 9001 accreditation. This will show your capability in managing complex procurement environments.