Procurement Manager - Substations

About the role

As Procurement Manager, you will provide leadership across an allocated portfolio of substation projects within the Scotland ASTI and T2/3 programmes. You will be reporting to the Senior Procurement Manager, you will be accountable for translating the relevant portfolio and framework strategy into clear procurement plans, leading the team responsible for delivery and ensuring procurement activity is controlled, timely and aligned with project, commercial and client requirements.

The role will lead Senior Buyers, Buyers and Graduates assigned to the portfolio, setting direction, allocating resources, managing performance and building capability. You will act as the senior day-to-day procurement interface for the portfolio, using clear leadership and stakeholder influence to align Operations, Commercial, Design, Planning and project teams around priorities, decisions, risks and routes to market

Leadership and people management

• Lead, motivate and develop the Senior Buyers, Buyers and Graduates assigned to the portfolio, creating a clear line of accountability from strategy through to package delivery.
• Set objectives, priorities and standards for the team, monitor delivery against agreed commitments and intervene promptly where performance, capacity or capability requires support.

Portfolio leadership and delivery

• Own procurement performance across the allocated substation portfolio and provide clear direction on priorities, sequencing, risks and opportunities.
• Develop project procurement strategies and package delivery plans across the allocated portfolio, contributing to and influencing wider framework strategy while ensuring effective routes to market and procurement execution.
• Ensure the team engages early with project stakeholders and the supply chain so that procurement assumptions, lead times, capacity constraints and commercial considerations inform project decisions.

Stakeholder leadership and influence

• Act as the senior day-to-day procurement contact for Project Directors, Project Managers, Commercial Managers and Operations leaders across the allocated portfolio.
• Influence project and business decisions through credible procurement advice, market intelligence, commercial awareness and a clear understanding of delivery priorities.
• Create alignment between Procurement, Operations, Commercial, Design and Planning, ensuring that decisions, responsibilities and required actions are understood and owned.
• Represent Procurement at project reviews, governance meetings and client-facing forums within the authority delegated by the Senior Procurement Manager.

Supply chain leadership

• Build effective relationships with key suppliers and subcontractors supporting the portfolio, with a focus on capacity, capability, resilience, performance and pipeline fit.
• Lead early market engagement and supplier development activity to broaden capable supply options and support the future work bank.
• Ensure supplier performance is actively managed by the team, with clear improvement actions, ownership and escalation where commitments are not being achieved.

Governance and commercial control

• Ensure procurement activity complies with business procedures, delegated authorities, client obligations and project governance requirements.
• Provide management oversight of tendering, evaluation, negotiation, recommendation and award activity undertaken by the team, ensuring decisions are evidence-based and appropriately approved.
• Promote strong data quality, procurement schedule discipline, audit readiness and consistent use of required systems and controls.

Essential

• Demonstrable procurement leadership experience within construction, infrastructure, utilities, energy or another complex project environment.
• Proven experience of leading, developing and managing procurement professionals at different career stages.
• Experience of managing procurement delivery across multiple projects or a defined portfolio, including competing priorities and complex stakeholder requirements.
• Strong knowledge of strategic sourcing, tendering, supplier evaluation, negotiation, contract award and supplier performance management.
• Sound commercial and contractual awareness, with the ability to identify risk, challenge proposals and support informed decision-making.
• Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and build effective working relationships across Procurement, Operations, Commercial and project teams.
• Strong written and verbal…