Commercial Procurement Manager in Manchester

United Infrastructure is a leading infrastructure, construction, and property services company in the UK. We help our customers and the communities they serve benefit from resilient infrastructure, affordable homes, and improved living spaces that are fit for the future. Our mission is to be the partner and employer of choice for designing, building, maintaining, and connecting communities and critical infrastructure, to create a more sustainable and inclusive society.

United Infrastructure Group is comprised of four complementary businesses, all dedicated to realising our vision of creating a connected, sustainable future:

• Property Services – We revitalise homes and communities through the regeneration of living spaces, breathing new life into neighbourhoods.
• Infrastructure Services – Our team of infrastructure specialists design, build and maintain critical energy and water infrastructure, for the UK’s largest network owners and operators.
• New Homes - As experienced and specialist new build housing contractors, we create homes and regenerate areas with communities in mind.
• Connected - We connect people through fixed-line and wireless telecom infrastructure, ensuring seamless communication and access to information for all.

Job Description

Purpose
To lead and manage commercial, procurement and inventory management activities across the organisation, ensuring value for money, regulatory compliance, and strong supplier relationships. The role involves strategic sourcing, contract management, and stakeholder engagement to support business objectives.

Commercial Strategy

• Lead commercial negotiations to secure favourable terms.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities and drive commercial efficiency through improved supplier performance, rebates etc.
• Conduct market analysis and benchmarking to inform sourcing strategies.
• Collaborate with finance and legal teams to ensure contracts are commercially viable.
• Partner with Quantity Surveyors to analyse and report on job margin drivers arising from procurement issues.
• Responsibility for producing and reporting on company profit improvement initiatives.

Procurement

• Develop and implement strategic sourcing and procurement plans.
• Lead end-to-end procurement processes including tendering, evaluation, negotiation, and supplier selection.
• Ensure accurate and timely management of end-to-end procurement processes from a commercial, system and compliance point of view.
• Ensure procurement strategy aligns with commercial performance expectations.
• Manage, improve and report on ‘supplier days’.
• Govern, manage and approve all company related non-job costed spend.
• Manage supplier relationships and performance, including addressing poor performance.
• Implement and manage a robust subcontractor retention mechanism with the supply chain.

Inventory Management

• Play a key role in the implementation and subsequent management of an inventory management system within Business Central to ensure effective procurement of goods and the most efficient movements of stock.
• Manage company stock holdings to service operational requirements and improve and report on ‘stock days’.

Governance & Contract Management

• Ensure compliance with public procurement regulations.
• Ensure adherence to internal policies, financial regulations, and statutory requirements (e.g., Public Contracts Regulations 2015).
• Embed corporate approaches to contract and supplier relationship management.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Build and maintain relationships with internal/external stakeholders across all areas of the business, including SLT.
• Prepare strategic reports and presentations with data-driven insights.

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead and mentor the procurement team.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement and professional development.
• Promote values such as innovation, collaboration, and respect.

Qualifications

Essential

• Strong negotiation and influencing skills.
• In-depth knowledge of procurement regulations.
• Strategic thinking and commercial acumen.
• Experience managing high-value contracts and supplier relationships.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills.
• Membership of CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply).
• Experience in a commercial-centric environment including exposure/understanding of supply chain impact to job profitability/performance.

Desirable

• Experience in managing an implementation of an inventory management system.
• Background in operational construction environment.

Additional Information

• Benefits: Bike to work scheme, Company pension, Life insurance, Private medical insurance, Wellness programmes, EV Car Scheme.
• This job is a full-time permanent role, 8am-5pm Monday to Friday from our Lingley Mere Office (WFH available one day per week).
• Must be highly computer literate including Microsoft Office applications and confident in managing and working with large data sets.
• Opportunity to spend time in and working closely with other departments will be provided to ensure the successful applicant gains a wide depth and breadth of experience and understanding of the company and industry.