At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a buying team in procurement for construction and social housing projects.
- Company: Major UK construction and infrastructure services organisation with a strong reputation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, car allowance, bonus, and hybrid working options.
- Other info: Opportunities for career progression into broader procurement leadership roles.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on construction projects while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement within construction or social housing sectors is essential.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
Category Manager – Construction & Social Housing
Salary
c.£65,000 + £5,000 car allowance + bonus + package
Location
Hybrid, with travel to regional offices and operational sites as required
A major UK construction and infrastructure services organisation is looking to appoint an experienced Category Manager to support on construction and social housing projects.
This is a hands-on procurement leadership role supporting a portfolio of building, refurbishment, repairs and maintenance contracts.
The successful candidate must have procurement experience gained specifically within the construction, building or social-housing sector, rather than a general facilities-management environment.
You will manage and develop a small buying team while working closely with operational, commercial and contract teams to improve supplier performance, strengthen procurement governance and deliver measurable savings across regional projects.
The Role
- Lead an operational buying team of 5 supporting multiple construction, refurbishment and social-housing contracts.
- Provide practical procurement support across materials, subcontractors, suppliers and project-specific requirements.
- Build trusted relationships with regional operations, commercial teams and contract leadership.
- Improve procurement visibility, compliance and consistency across a nationally dispersed business.
- Deliver cost certainty, savings and wider commercial value across live contracts and mobilisations.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage the buying team, including workload allocation, performance, coaching and development.
- Lead sourcing, tendering, negotiation and contract-award activity for project and operational requirements.
- Establish and promote preferred supplier and subcontractor arrangements across the business.
- Monitor spend, supplier performance, commercial risk and compliance across multiple contracts.
- Support supplier and subcontractor disputes, contract reviews, mobilisations and continuous-improvement initiatives.
Key Skills and Experience
- Procurement experience gained within construction, housebuilding, property services, refurbishment or social housing.
- Strong understanding of operational buying across building materials, subcontractors and regional supply chains.
- Experience supporting repairs and maintenance, planned works, decarbonisation, refurbishment or housing-improvement programmes would be particularly relevant.
- Previous responsibility for leading, supervising or developing Buyers within a fast-paced operational environment.
- Proven ability to deliver savings, negotiate effectively and influence commercial and operational stakeholders.
What’s in It for You?
- Join a large and established procurement function with significant influence across major UK contracts.
- Take ownership of a visible operational procurement team and regional stakeholder base.
- Gain exposure to substantial construction, building-material and subcontractor spend.
- Help shape stronger procurement processes, supplier frameworks and commercial outcomes.
- Access clear progression opportunities into broader category or procurement leadership roles.
The role requires someone who understands the realities of procurement within live construction and social-housing contracts, including changing site requirements, local supply chains, subcontractor performance, cost pressures and the need to maintain continuity of service for residents and clients.
The underlying brief places particular emphasis on team leadership, operational procurement support, supplier and subcontractor governance, savings and close partnership with contract teams.
Category Manager – Construction & Social Housing in England employer: Talent Drive | B Corp
At Talent Drive | B Corp™, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and inclusive work culture in the heart of London. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through mentorship opportunities and a supportive environment that encourages innovation and collaboration. With a competitive bonus structure and a hybrid working model, we ensure our team members enjoy a fulfilling work-life balance while contributing to meaningful projects in the procurement sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Category Manager – Construction & Social Housing in England
✨Get Savvy with Industry Perks
Join procurement and purchasing forums or groups where pros hang out, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply). They'll share the inside scoop on job openings that might not show up on traditional job boards!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Consider creating a portfolio that outlines your achievements in procurement, like cost-saving initiatives or supplier management strategies. Having tangible evidence of your skills can really set you apart when applying to companies like Talent Drive | B Corp.
✨Tap into Your Network
Leverage LinkedIn to connect with professionals in procurement—follow relevant hashtags, join groups, and engage in discussions. This is a great way to get noticed by potential employers before they even post a job!
✨Keep Your Eyes on Job Boards
With full-time positions, timing can be everything. Set alerts on job boards specifically for procurement roles. Don't wait for a job posting to close; apply through our website as soon as you see a fit—being proactive can give you the edge!
We think you need these skills to ace Category Manager – Construction & Social Housing in England
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Procurement Know-How:When you're crafting your CV, make sure to highlight any procurement-specific skills you've got. Talk about your experience with supplier negotiations, cost analysis, or inventory management. If you’ve used software like SAP or Oracle, don’t forget to mention that too – it shows you know your way around the tech side of things!
Quantify Your Achievements:In procurement, numbers matter. Use your CV and cover letter to showcase any quantifiable achievements you've made in reducing costs or improving efficiencies. For example, mentioning that you helped save 20% on purchasing costs last year is way more impressive than just saying you managed the budget!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Talent Drive | B Corp:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to Talent Drive | B Corp. Research the company’s procurement strategy, mention how your skills align with their goals, and share your enthusiasm for contributing to their success. This personal touch can really set you apart from the crowd!
Professional Certs Can Go a Long Way:If you've got any procurement-related certifications, such as CIPS or APICS, make sure they're front and centre on your CV. These qualifications show you're serious about your career in procurement and are committed to continuous learning. It’s a great way to signal your expertise and dedication to potential employers like Talent Drive | B Corp.
How to prepare for a job interview at Talent Drive | B Corp
✨Show Off Your Negotiation Skills
In procurement, strong negotiation skills are key. Be ready to share examples of past negotiations where you've successfully saved costs or improved supplier terms. We want to hear how you approached those situations and the strategies you used to achieve positive outcomes!
✨Know Your Tools
Make sure you’re familiar with procurement software and tools commonly used in the industry, such as SAP Ariba or Coupa. Come prepared to discuss any experiences you've had with these tools or similar platforms, as we need someone who can hit the ground running at Talent Drive | B Corp!
✨Understand Market Trends
As a procurement professional, being aware of market trends can set you apart. Brush up on recent developments in supply chain management or procurement best practices and think about how they could impact your role at Talent Drive | B Corp. Bringing a current perspective will show your enthusiasm for the industry.
✨Demonstrate Your Team Player Attitude
A full-time position means you'll be working closely with various teams. Be prepared to discuss how you collaborate with others, manage conflicts, and build relationships with stakeholders. Sharing anecdotes about past teamwork experiences will highlight your ability to fit into Talent Drive | B Corp's culture.
