At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic sourcing and supplier management in the social housing sector.
- Company: Join a leading main contractor making a difference in social housing.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth, and the chance to shape supply chain strategies.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for professional development and strategic influence.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on social housing projects while driving innovation and sustainability.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in procurement or supply chain, ideally within social housing.
The predicted salary is between 54000 - 66000 £ per year.
Are you an experienced Supply Chain or Procurement professional looking to make a strategic impact within the social housing sector? We are seeking a Strategic Commercial Supply Chain Lead to drive sourcing strategy, supplier performance, commercial negotiations, and supply chain excellence across our growing Social Housing division. This is a fantastic opportunity to join a leading main contractor and play a key role in supporting operational delivery, work-winning activities, and long-term business growth.
The Role
As the Strategic Commercial Supply Chain Lead, you will take ownership of assigned spend categories, developing and implementing sourcing strategies that deliver measurable commercial value, reduce risk, and strengthen supplier partnerships. Working closely with Operational, Commercial, Estimating, and Delivery teams, you will ensure the supply chain strategy aligns with business objectives while supporting the successful delivery of social housing programmes, including responsive repairs, planned maintenance, decarbonisation, retrofit, and refurbishment projects.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic Supply Chain & Category Management
- Develop and implement long-term category strategies and procurement roadmaps.
- Analyse spend, market trends, and supplier performance to identify cost-saving and value-creation opportunities.
- Drive supplier consolidation strategies to maximise buying power and efficiencies.
- Collaborate with operational and commercial teams to forecast demand and optimise supplier frameworks.
- Monitor market conditions and emerging industry trends to mitigate risk and identify innovation opportunities.
- Commercial & Strategic Sourcing
- Lead end-to-end sourcing activities including RFIs, PQQs, RFPs, and tender processes.
- Negotiate high-value framework agreements, pricing structures, rebates, and service level agreements.
- Partner with Estimating, Commercial, and Operations teams to support work-winning and project delivery objectives.
- Ensure all procurement activity complies with governance, policy, and regulatory requirements.
- Deliver measurable savings and commercial improvements across the supply chain.
- Supplier Relationship Management
- Manage supplier onboarding, compliance, and performance processes.
- Establish and monitor supplier KPIs, ensuring continuous improvement and accountability.
- Conduct supplier reviews and performance management meetings.
- Identify and mitigate supply chain risks, including financial stability, capacity, material availability, and single-source dependencies.
- Build strategic partnerships that drive innovation, sustainability, and long-term value.
What We're Looking For
Essential Experience
- Proven experience within a Main Contractor environment.
- Strong background in Social Housing, including planned maintenance, repairs, refurbishment, retrofit, decarbonisation, or asset investment programmes.
- Minimum 5 years' experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, category management, or supply chain leadership.
- Demonstrable track record of delivering significant cost savings and commercial value.
- Experience managing supplier frameworks, commercial negotiations, and performance improvement programmes.
Skills & Knowledge
- Excellent commercial acumen with a strong focus on value creation and cost optimisation.
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret spend data, trends, and market intelligence.
- Outstanding stakeholder management and relationship-building abilities.
- Strong understanding of procurement governance, contract management, and risk mitigation.
- Ability to influence senior stakeholders and drive strategic change.
Qualifications
- Degree-level qualification in Supply Chain Management, Business, Commercial Management, or a related discipline preferred.
- Professional procurement qualifications (CIPS or equivalent) desirable but not essential.
- Full UK Driving Licence.
What Success Looks Like
- Delivering measurable cost savings across key spend categories.
- Improving supplier performance and framework utilisation.
- Reducing supply chain and commercial risk.
- Building strong, strategic supplier partnerships.
- Supporting operational delivery and business growth through a high-performing supply chain.
If you're a commercially focused procurement professional with social housing and main contractor experience, we'd love to hear from you. Join us and help shape a best-in-class supply chain strategy that delivers value, quality, and long-term success.
Strategic & Commercial Supply Chain Lead in Romney Marsh employer: United Infrastructure Ltd
United Infrastructure is an excellent employer, offering a competitive salary and benefits package alongside ample career progression opportunities within a supportive and collaborative work environment. As a Major Works Supervisor, you will play a vital role in delivering impactful projects that enhance homes and communities, while benefiting from ongoing training and professional development to further your career in the dynamic infrastructure sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Strategic & Commercial Supply Chain Lead in Romney Marsh
✨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 United Infrastructure Ltd.
✨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 Strategic & Commercial Supply Chain Lead in Romney Marsh
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 United Infrastructure Ltd:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to United Infrastructure Ltd. 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 United Infrastructure Ltd.
How to prepare for a job interview at United Infrastructure Ltd
✨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 United Infrastructure Ltd!
✨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 United Infrastructure Ltd. 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 United Infrastructure Ltd's culture.
