At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a buying team to drive commercial impact in construction and housing contracts.
- Company: Major UK contractor with a focus on hands-on leadership and team collaboration.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, car allowance, bonus, private healthcare, and 25 days holiday.
- Other info: Opportunity for strong career growth and to shape a vital function.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a role that values hands-on leadership and team development.
- Qualifications: Experience in construction procurement and proven people management skills required.
The predicted salary is between 52000 - 65000 £ per year.
A major UK contractor is looking for a hands-on Category Manager to lead a small buying team and drive real commercial impact across housing and social housing contracts. This is a role for someone who enjoys being close to the detail, close to their people, and close to operations. Not someone who wants to sit behind a strategy deck.
What you’ll lead:
- You’ll manage a team of four Buyers (with a fifth joining), split across London and Yorkshire.
- You’ll visit each region once per month and spend 4 days a week on-site/visiting suppliers.
- They need someone who can bring structure, pace, and credibility + who can win hearts and minds in a team that needs direction, consistency, and accountability.
What you’ll deliver:
- Lead and develop the buying team, improving performance, behaviours, and delivery discipline.
- Drive value, cost certainty, and commercial improvement across housing/construction contracts.
- Build strong relationships with operational teams and become their trusted procurement partner.
- Manage supplier performance, sourcing, tendering, and contract implementation.
- Align local buying activity with wider category strategies.
- Support sustainability commitments and process improvements.
- Ensure compliance with procurement policy, governance, and reporting.
- Bring a blend of procurement and construction buying understanding.
- Help shape a function that has historically lacked strong recruitment and retention.
What you’ll need:
- Experience in construction, housing or social housing procurement (non-negotiable).
- Proven people management experience — leading, coaching, and challenging teams.
- A hands-on approach: this is a doing role, not a purely strategic one.
- Strong stakeholder skills and the ability to win trust quickly.
- Confidence to reset expectations, raise standards, and bring consistency.
- Comfortable working predominantly from the office.
What you’ll get:
- £65,000 – £75,000 salary.
- £6,000 car allowance or company car.
- 5% bonus.
- Private healthcare (single cover).
- Life cover x2.
- 25 days holiday.
- The chance to make a visible, lasting impact in a function that genuinely needs strong leadership.
Category Manager - Construction in St Albans employer: Rise Resourcing
Join a leading UK contractor that values hands-on leadership and offers a dynamic work environment in North London or South Yorkshire. With competitive salaries, generous benefits including a car allowance, private healthcare, and 25 days holiday, this role provides an excellent opportunity for professional growth and the chance to make a significant impact in the construction sector. The company fosters a collaborative culture where your contributions are recognised, and you can develop your team while driving commercial success.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Manager - Construction in St Albans
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the construction and procurement sectors. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to meet potential employers and get insider info on job openings.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your hands-on experience! When you get the chance to chat with hiring managers, highlight your practical skills and how you've led teams in previous roles. They want to see that you can roll up your sleeves and get things done.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for interviews by researching the company’s recent projects and challenges in the construction sector. This will help you tailor your answers and demonstrate that you're genuinely interested in making a difference in their team.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities that might be perfect for you. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team and makes it easier for us to connect with you.
We think you need these skills to ace Category Manager - Construction in St Albans
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Category Manager in construction. Highlight your experience in procurement and people management, and don’t forget to mention any hands-on projects you've led that align with our needs.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to showcase your passion for the construction industry and how your leadership style can drive the team’s performance. Be genuine and let your personality come through!
Showcase Relevant Experience:When filling out your application, focus on your past roles in construction or housing procurement. We want to see how you’ve made an impact in similar positions, so don’t hold back on the details!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for this exciting opportunity. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Rise Resourcing
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of construction and housing procurement. Be ready to discuss specific projects you've worked on and how you've driven commercial impact in previous roles. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the theory but have real-world experience.
✨Show Your Leadership Skills
Since this role involves managing a team, be prepared to share examples of how you've led and developed teams in the past. Talk about your coaching style and how you’ve improved performance and accountability within your team. This will demonstrate that you can win hearts and minds.
✨Build Relationships
Highlight your ability to build strong relationships with stakeholders. Prepare examples of how you've become a trusted partner in previous roles, especially in procurement. This is crucial for the role, so showing you can connect with operational teams will set you apart.
✨Be Hands-On
Emphasise your hands-on approach to procurement. Discuss how you enjoy being close to the detail and operations rather than just sitting behind strategy decks. This aligns perfectly with what they’re looking for, so make it clear that you thrive in a doing role.
