Strategic & Commercial Supply Chain Lead

UI Social Infrastructure Limited; Dartford; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

United Infrastructure is seeking a Strategic Commercial Supply Chain Lead to own category strategies, drive end-to-end sourcing and optimise total cost. You will collaborate with Operations, Estimating and Commercial teams to align sourcing with client outcomes and project delivery.

The role focuses on competitive sourcing, contractual negotiations, and governance to mitigate risk while delivering measurable savings and supplier performance improvements across a construction supply chain

Qualifications

• Proven track record of delivering measurable cost reductions, value creation and KPIs.
• Improve: Vendor performance through proactive governance and supplier development.
• Reducing: Supply chain risk via risk assessment and mitigation.
• Building: Creating and strengthening vendor relationships for long-term value.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement long-term category strategies based on spend分析 and business priorities.
• Lead end-to-end sourcing processes: RFIs, PQQ, RFPs and ITTs with cross-functional partners.
• Negotiate framework agreements, SLAs, and terms to optimize total cost and service levels.
• Monitor supplier performance with KPIs and drive continuous improvement in the supply base.
• Ensure compliance with internal policies, governance, and regulatory requirements.

Skills

Commercial Acumen

Analytical Ability

Communication & Influence

Contractual / Framework Literacy

Education

Supply Chain Management

Business Administration

Commercial

Job description

Strategic Commercial Supply Chain Lead

Develops, executes, and continuously improves comprehensive sourcing strategies for assigned spend categories. This role acts as the internal business owner for their portfolio, driving total cost optimization, supplier performance, risk mitigation, commercial and framework negotiation and alignment with organizational governance.

Strategy & Category Management

• Category Roadmaps: Build and implement long-term category strategies based on total spend analysis, market dynamics, and business priorities.
• Market Intelligence: Monitor supply market trends, competitor behaviour, and emerging innovations to identify new opportunities or potential disruptions.
• Demand Management: Collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders (Estimating, Commercial, Operations, and Supply Chain) to forecast demand and streamline product or service portfolios. Supplier consolidation and spend leverage, including identifying opportunities to reduce supplier numbers where appropriate and maximise the benefit of our buying power across SI.

Strategic Sourcing & Execution

• End-to-End Sourcing: Lead competitive sourcing partnership processes, including Requests for Information (RFIs), Pre-Qualification (PQQ), Requests for Proposal (RFPs), and Invitations to Tender (ITT). Business partnering with Operations, Commercial and Estimating to ensure supply chain strategy supports operational delivery, client outcomes and work winning.
• Commercial Negotiation: Negotiate high-Medium Low value, industry lead framework agreements to secure optimal pricing, favourable terms, and service level agreements (SLAs).
• Risk & Governance: Ensure all sourcing activities comply with internal procurement policies, regulatory requirements, and gate-review governance processes.

Vendor Relationship Management (VRM)

• Vendor Compliance & Onboarding : Drive full end to end compliance review and vendor onboarding ensuring vendors are fit for use within the organizational division.
• Performance Tracking: Set and monitor supplier Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to drive continuous operational excellence.
• Supply Chain Performance Management Clear performance measures and accountabilities, such as cost savings delivered, supplier performance, risk reduction and framework utilisation Supply chain risk management, including financial stability, capacity, material availability and single-source supplier exposure.
• Value Optimization: Foster strategic partnerships with core vendors to unlock continuous cost savings, innovation, and sustainable practices.

Qualifications & Requirements / Education & Experience / Role accountability

• Delivering: Measurable Savings
• Improve: Vendor Performance
• Reducing: Supply Chain Risk
• Building: Creating and Building on Vendor Relationships.
• Experience: 5+ years of progressive experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, or category management within construction supply chain environments.
• Education: Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Commercial, or a related field.
• Credentials: Professional procurement certification is preferred but not essential provided there is a proven track record of experience.

Knowledge & Skills

• Commercial Acumen: Demonstrated track record of delivering measurable cost reductions, value creation, and financial KPIs.
• Analytical Ability: Advanced data analysis skills with the capacity to interpret large spend datasets and market trends.
• Communication & Influence: Exceptional stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence leadership and collaborate across multi-disciplinary teams.
• Contractual / Framework Literacy: Working knowledge of contractual terms, risk assessment, and mitigation strategies.

Join us at United Infrastructure and be part of our mission to deliver innovative and sustainable solutions to the complex infrastructure needs of the UK. Here at United Infrastructure, we invest in our people and firmly believe that our workforce is our most valuable asset. A driving force for success and the core to achieving our vision of creating a connected and sustainable future, our team is the heart of our organisation.

Are you looking to be part of an exciting journey within an evolving business? Want to learn something new, every single day? Then you’ve come to the right place. A fast-paced, diverse, and hugely ambitious business, we welcome challengers, innovators and people who embrace change. Establish yourself in a creative environment that champions freedom of expression, and supports you in your personal and professional development – because together, we achieve more.

United Infrastructure operates a direct sourcing model and does not accept speculative CVs from recruitment agencies. Any CVs submitted without prior agreement will be considered a gift and the candidate will be deemed to have been introduced directly. No fees will be payable in these circumstances