Location
London with regular travel to regional offices and sites

Hours
Full Time

Salary
Competitive salary package (not specified)

About the Role
At Wates, we're seeking a strategic and commercially focused Category Lead - Procurement to shape and deliver procurement and supply chain strategy across the Group and Divisions. This high-impact role involves leading category management activities, developing long-term sourcing strategies, negotiating national framework agreements, and building strong supplier partnerships that deliver value across Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, People and Sustainability (SQDCPS). Reporting to the Head of Indirect Procurement and managing two Procurement professionals, you will develop and deliver category strategies that create long-term value across the Group and Divisions. Working closely with senior stakeholders, you will act as the subject matter expert for your categories, providing insight into market trends, supplier performance, risks and opportunities while driving continuous improvement across the supply chain.

Key responsibilities include:
- Developing and delivering category strategies aligned to business objectives and long-term operational needs
- Leading complex supplier negotiations and establishing framework agreements that maximise value and reduce risk
- Driving improvements in supply chain performance, spend under management and procurement efficiency
- Monitoring market trends, innovations, risks and disruptions, translating insights into actionable strategies
- Maintaining category risk and opportunity registers and ensuring appropriate mitigation plans are in place
- Building and managing strategic supplier relationships, creating collaborative partnerships that generate long-term value
- Implementing effective supplier performance management frameworks and ongoing due diligence processes
- Producing category performance reporting and providing regular updates to senior leadership
- Partnering with stakeholders across Wates to influence decision-making and embed best practice procurement approaches
- Leading, coaching and developing procurement talent, building high-performing teams that deliver exceptional results

Experience
Proven experience in strategic sourcing, procurement or category management within a complex organisation. Significant experience leading high-value commercial and supplier negotiations. Strong understanding of procurement best practice and category management methodologies. Experience developing and implementing procurement strategies that deliver measurable business benefits. Ability to influence and engage stakeholders at all levels, including senior leadership and executive teams. Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex data and communicate insights effectively. Experience driving continuous improvement and challenging the status quo. A collaborative approach with the ability to build strong internal and external relationships.

About you
Strategic thinker with strong commercial acumen and excellent negotiation skills. Able to build and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders. Motivated leader who can coach and develop procurement professionals. Adaptable and proactive in managing risks and opportunities within the supply chain. Committed to delivering value across Safety, Quality, Delivery, Cost, People and Sustainability (SQDCPS).

Qualifications
HND or Degree in Procurement, Supply Chain Management, Construction Management or a related discipline. MCIPS qualified or working towards MCIPS accreditation.