Category Manager - Senior Buyer - Engineering and Construction

Michael Page (UK); Portsmouth; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

An established recruitment agency is seeking a Category Manager - Senior Buyer specializing in Engineering and Construction. The successful candidate will develop category strategies, manage demand planning, and ensure compliance with procurement regulations. A competitive salary ranging from £55,000 to £66,000 is offered, along with a comprehensive health cash plan and opportunities for professional development in a hybrid working environment.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Comprehensive Health Cash Plan

Development opportunities

Qualifications

• Proven experience in category management within procurement and supply chain.
• Strong knowledge of end-to-end procurement in the Engineering and Construction sector.
• Knowledge of regulated procurement procedures (UCR, PCR, PA23) would be desirable.

Responsibilities

• Support development and improvement of procurement best practices.
• Build strong relationships with stakeholders and suppliers.
• Lead commercial activities across the sourcing life cycle.
• Ensure compliance with procurement regulations.

Skills

Category management experience

Negotiation skills

Analytical skills

Interpersonal skills

Education

Relevant qualifications in procurement or supply chain

Job description

• Category Manager - Procurement - Construction and Engineering - Senior Buyer
• Portsmouth - Hybrid

About Our Client

This is an opportunity to join a well-established organisation. The company operates as a medium-sized business, focused on delivering high-quality services and maintaining sustainable practices.

Job Description

As a Category Manager - Senior Buyer you will help to develop and implement category strategies, manage demand planning, and lead sourcing initiatives across the E&C portfolio. You'll be responsible for delivering value creation, minimising total cost of ownership, and ensuring compliance with utilities procurement regulations and statutory requirements. You will lead on projects within construction and engineering and help to support the category as it grows and develops.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the development and continual improvement of procurement best practices across the end to end procurement's.
• Build strong relationships with stakeholders and suppliers through proactive communication.
• Promote continuous improvement in procurement procedures and working practices.
• Manage Engineering & Construction category spend with significant strategic impact.
• Develop and implement demand and category strategies, engaging stakeholders to understand requirements.
• Lead commercial activities across the sourcing life cycle, delivering value creation and risk mitigation.
• Collaborate with business leads to deliver category-specific strategies, including sourcing and contracting.
• Drive cost reduction through standardisation, aggregation of demand, and minimising tail spend.
• Translate external best practices and innovation into actionable proposals and category strategies.
• Ensure compliance with utilities procurement regulations, statutory obligations, and data protection requirements.

The Successful Applicant

A successful Category Manager - Senior Buyer Engineering and Construction should have:

• Proven experience in category management within procurement and supply chain.
• Strong knowledge of end to end procurement's/ buying in the Engineering and Construction sector.
• Excellent negotiation and contract management skills.
• Ability to analyse market trends and implement cost‑saving strategies.
• Strong interpersonal skills to build and maintain supplier relationships.
• Knowledge of procurement policies and best practices.
• Relevant qualifications in procurement, supply chain, or a related field.
• You would have ideally worked in utilities, construction, regulated or public sector environment.
• Knowledge of regulated procurement procedures (UCR, PCR, PA23) would be desirable.

What's on Offer

• Competitive salary £55,000 up to £66,000 + excellent Benefits
• Comprehensive Health Cash Plan for your well‑being.
• Opportunity to work in a growing environment with development opportunities

If you are ready to take on this exciting opportunity as a Category Manager - Senior Buyer - Engineering and Construction then please reach out ASAP