Category Manager

Our client is currently looking to recruit a Category Manager
- Construction, on an initial 6 month contract

Category Manager
- Construction

GBP
500 per day

Central London
- Hybrid

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced construction procurement professional to play a key role in a significant GBP
1.5 billion construction programme. We are seeking a Category Manager Construction to lead sourcing and procurement activity across a diverse portfolio of capital projects, including new hospital developments, student accommodation, refurbishment of teaching facilities and laboratories, and a range of building services and infrastructure projects. This is an opportunity to combine strategic category management with hands‑on procurement delivery, working across multiple projects valued at approximately GBP5 million to GBP7 million each.

You will play a central role in developing sourcing strategies, negotiating commercial agreements and working with project teams and senior stakeholders to secure the right suppliers, manage costs and deliver value for money. We are looking for someone who understands the construction market, can manage competing priorities across a complex project portfolio and has the commercial confidence to lead negotiations and influence decisions at all levels.

You will be responsible for managing construction procurement across a varied and demanding estates development portfolio. Working closely with project delivery teams, Estates colleagues, Finance, Legal and other stakeholders, you will translate project requirements into effective category and sourcing strategies. Your portfolio will span construction and refurbishment projects, mechanical and electrical (M&E) services, heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), and professional services.

You will manage multiple procurement exercises concurrently, ensuring that sourcing activity is commercially robust, compliant and aligned with project budgets, programme requirements and organisational objectives. You will balance the development of longer‑term category strategies with the practical delivery of individual procurements, from market engagement and tender preparation through to negotiation, evaluation and contract award.

• Category management: Develop and deliver construction category strategies aligned with the wider estates development programme, identifying opportunities to improve value, supplier performance and procurement efficiency.
• Strategic sourcing: Lead end‑to‑end sourcing activity for a broad range of construction and estates projects, selecting appropriate procurement routes and developing robust tender and evaluation approaches.
• Project procurement: Manage multiple concurrent projects, typically valued at GBP5 million to GBP7 million each, ensuring procurement milestones align with project budgets, delivery schedules and operational requirements.
• Construction and refurbishment: Support procurement across new‑build developments, student accommodation, teaching facilities, laboratories and refurbishment programmes, alongside associated building services and infrastructure requirements.
• Building services and professional services: Lead sourcing activity for HVAC, mechanical and electrical services, construction‑related professional services and other specialist requirements.
• Negotiation and commercial management: Lead supplier negotiations, challenge costs and commercial assumptions, evaluate bids and secure competitive terms without compromising quality, compliance or project outcomes.
• Stakeholder engagement: Build strong relationships with project managers, Estates teams, technical specialists, Finance, Legal and senior stakeholders, translating complex requirements…