Category Manager

Heidelberg Materials UK; Maidenhead; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

27 days holiday (plus bank holidays)

Agile/flexible working

Pension

Life assurance

Volunteer day

Retail discounts

Career development opportunities

Job summary

Heidelberg Materials UK is seeking a Category Manager for Major Projects Procurement to drive end-to-end procurement activities across significant capital projects. You will lead strategy, sourcing, negotiations and contract delivery to ensure projects meet time, budget and value targets.

Based from Maidenhead or other UK sites, you will collaborate with Engineering, Operations, Legal and Finance, manage supplier risks and pursue continuous improvements while travelling where needed.

Qualifications

• Degree qualified in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering or related discipline.
• CIPS qualification (or working towards) is desirable.
• Significant procurement experience within manufacturing, heavy industry, construction, engineering or infrastructure sectors.
• Proven experience managing major CAPEX projects and high-value contracts.
• Strong commercial acumen with excellent negotiation and contract management skills.
• Experience working with ERP and procurement systems such as SAP Ariba or Oracle.
• Ability to influence senior stakeholders and manage multiple project priorities.
• Willingness to travel to sites across the UK and Europe as required.

Responsibilities

• Developing and implementing procurement strategies for major capital projects.
• Managing end-to-end sourcing activities including RFIs, RFPs and tender processes.
• Leading supplier negotiations and securing favourable commercial agreements.
• Building and managing relationships with strategic suppliers and contractors.
• Conducting market analysis and supplier assessments to identify opportunities and mitigate risk.
• Supporting project teams with procurement planning, contract management and supplier performance reviews.
• Partnering with Engineering, Operations, Legal, Finance and Project teams to ensure successful project delivery.
• Driving value through competitive tendering, commercial challenge and innovation.
• Monitoring procurement performance and identifying continuous improvement opportunities.

Skills

Procurement expertise

Contract management

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

Project management

ERP knowledge

Education

Degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering

Tools

SAP Ariba

Oracle

Job description

Heidelberg Materials UK (formerly Hanson UK) is one of the UK’s largest suppliers of construction materials, employing over 4,000 people and operating around 300 manufacturing sites in the UK.

We are committed to building a more sustainable future and recognise that a diverse workforce is vital to our growth and advancement. We aim to promote a culture that values openness, transparency and individual achievement.

At the centre of our actions lies the responsibility for the environment. As the front runner on the path to carbon neutrality and circular economy in the building materials industry, we are working on sustainable building materials and solutions for the future. We enable new opportunities for our customers through digitalisation.

negotiation, contract management, and supplier performance oversight.

• Enhance value for money by increasing market engagement, competitive tendering, and commercial challenge throughout the project lifecycle.

Category Manager - Major Projects Procurement

Maidenhead, Chipping Sodbury or Padeswood

Competitive Salary + Car Allowance + Bonus + Benefits

Are you an experienced procurement professional with a track record of delivering major capital projects in complex industrial environments?

We're looking for a Category Manager - Major Projects Procurement to play a key role in supporting major Cement reliability and CAPEX projects across Heidelberg Materials. Working at the heart of significant investment programmes, you'll lead procurement activities from strategy through to contract delivery, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget, and with maximum commercial value.

This role will provide dedicated procurement expertise to major projects, helping to reduce commercial risk, strengthen supplier relationships, and improve project outcomes through robust procurement leadership.

What you'll be doing

• Developing and implementing procurement strategies for major capital projects.
• Managing end-to-end sourcing activities including RFIs, RFPs and tender processes.
• Leading supplier negotiations and securing favourable commercial agreements.
• Building and managing relationships with strategic suppliers and contractors.
• Conducting market analysis and supplier assessments to identify opportunities and mitigate risk.
• Supporting project teams with procurement planning, contract management and supplier performance reviews.
• Partnering with Engineering, Operations, Legal, Finance and Project teams to ensure successful project delivery.
• Driving value through competitive tendering, commercial challenge and innovation.
• Monitoring procurement performance and identifying continuous improvement opportunities.

What we're looking for

• Degree qualified in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering or a related discipline.
• CIPS qualification (or working towards) is highly desirable.
• Significant procurement experience within manufacturing, heavy industry, construction, engineering or infrastructure sectors.
• Proven experience managing major CAPEX projects and high-value contracts.
• Strong commercial acumen with excellent negotiation and contract management skills.
• Experience working with ERP and procurement systems such as SAP Ariba or Oracle.
• Ability to influence senior stakeholders and manage multiple project priorities.
• Willingness to travel to sites across the UK and Europe as required.

Why Join us?

At Heidelberg Materials, we don’t just offer jobs—we build careers. As a global leader in construction materials, we’re committed to innovation, sustainability, and, above all, our people.

Rewards & Benefits

• Armed Forces Covenant (Gold) | Disability Confident | 5% Club (Platinum) | Mates in Mind | Clear Assured | STEM Ambassador | MPQC Member
• Competitive Package: Salary, bonus incentives, generous pension, and life assurance
• Work-Life Balance: 27 days holiday (plus bank holidays), agile/flexible working, holiday purchase, and sabbatical options, Season and travel ticket loans
• Family-Friendly Policies: Enhanced support for maternity, paternity, adoption, IVF, neonatal care, and menopause
• Inclusive Culture: Paid volunteering day and active employee communities (LGBTQ+, Women in STEM, Armed Forces, and more)
• Wellbeing & Development: Employee Assistance Programme, retail discounts, and continuous learning opportunities