Category Specialist - Construction & Housing

A London-based Local Authority is seeking a Category Specialist - Construction & Housing for its Commercial and Procurement team. This full-time, temporary contract offers a weekly salary of £480-£500, with hybrid working arrangements. The role involves leading end-to-end procurement across a diverse portfolio, specifically focusing on housing and place-related procurement, including construction, capital works, repairs, maintenance, and associated service contracts. Rate: £480 - £500 per day (Inside IR35). The contract is interim with the opportunity to become permanent, and it allows hybrid working in London.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver end-to-end procurement exercises across construction, housing and place-based categories, together with a small number of service contracts.
• Develop procurement strategies and sourcing plans that deliver value for money, manage risk and ensure compliance with procurement legislation.
• Manage the full tender process, including market engagement, specification development, tender documentation, evaluation, contract award and mobilisation.
• Build strong relationships with commissioners, operational managers and senior stakeholders to understand business requirements and deliver commercial solutions.
• Lead supplier negotiations and support effective contract and supplier performance management.
• Ensure procurement activity complies with the Procurement Act, Contract Standing Orders and internal governance requirements.
• Analyse category spend, market intelligence and supplier performance to identify savings, efficiencies and service improvements.
• Promote innovation, sustainability and social value throughout the procurement lifecycle.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives, knowledge sharing and the development of procurement best practice across the organisation.

About You

We're particularly interested in speaking with procurement professionals who have a strong background in construction or housing procurement and can demonstrate experience delivering complex procurement projects within a public sector environment.

• Proven experience delivering end-to-end procurement across construction, housing, capital works, repairs, maintenance or place-based categories.
• Strong knowledge of public sector procurement legislation and governance requirements.
• Experience developing procurement strategies, category plans and commercial sourcing solutions.
• Excellent stakeholder management and supplier negotiation skills.
• Experience managing complex tender exercises from strategy through to contract award.
• Strong commercial awareness with the ability to identify opportunities for savings, efficiencies and improved supplier performance.
• Excellent analytical, communication and report-writing skills.
• CIPS qualification (or working towards) or equivalent procurement experience is desirable.

Essential Experience

• Public Sector Procurement
• Housing or Construction Procurement
• End to End Tender Management
• Category Management
• Contract & Supplier Management
• Procurement Strategy
• Stakeholder Management
• Commercial Negotiation
• Procurement Compliance
• CIPS (desirable)

Alongside a competitive £500 per day Inside IR35 rate, the role offers the potential to transition into a permanent position, making it an ideal opportunity for an experienced procurement professional looking for long term career progression.