Procurement Manager

About The Role

Due to our increased workload, we are strengthening our Central Procurement team to maintain high standards of governance, efficiency, and strategic alignment. To support this, we are recruiting a Procurement Manager, based at our Manchester Office (Hattersley), with hybrid working available.

Job Summary:

Reporting directly to the Head of Procurement, this role will be instrumental in:

• Managing Category Strategy: Leading category initiatives to drive value, innovation, and cost efficiencies across key spend areas.
• Owning the Supplier Approval Process: Ensuring all new and existing suppliers meet company standards for quality, compliance, and risk.
• Enhancing Supplier Relationships: Building strong partnerships to ensure performance, compliance, and continuous improvement.
• Supporting Operational Demands: Providing expert procurement support to meet increased workload and ensure timely, compliant sourcing.
• Driving Consistency: Aligning procurement practices with company and client policies across all business units.
• Strengthening the Central Function: Acting as a key link between operational teams and strategic procurement, embedding best practices and scalable processes.

Key Responsibilities

Team Leadership

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing Central Procurement Team.
• Inspire and motivate team members to achieve individual and collective goals.
• Foster a collaborative, customer-focused, and positive team culture.
• Act as the escalation point for procurement-related queries and challenges.
• Oversee people planning, budgeting, workload allocation, performance reviews, and training needs.
  Supplier Onboarding & Performance Management
• Oversee supplier onboarding to ensure compliance and mitigate risk.
• Support audits and ensure alignment with internal policies.
• Monitor supplier performance and drive continuous improvement.
• Manage key supplier relationships to maximise value.
• Provide final approval on supplier evaluations.
  Category Management & Framework Delivery
• Develop and execute category procurement strategies aligned with business goals.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to meet operational needs.
• Analyse market trends and risks to inform sourcing decisions.
• Manage category plans and supplier engagement.
• Lead tender processes, including ITTs/RFQs and evaluations.
• Support negotiations on commercial terms, KPIs, and service levels.
• Drive cost optimisation while maintaining quality and service.
  Process Management & Improvement
• Ensure adherence to procurement policies, contracts, and regulations.
• Implement best practices and drive continuous process improvement.
• Promote sustainable procurement aligned with business values and ESG objectives.
• Maintain and optimise the P2P system, ensuring clean and accurate data.
  Performance, Reporting & Representation
• Prepare and present regular board-level reports on procurement performance.
• Act as the key contact for supplier stability and risk communication.
• Develop and monitor KPIs to assess team and individual performance.
• Take on additional responsibilities as required, in line with the role.
• Represent the department and organisation professionally in all interactions.

About You

Essential

• 2+ years' experience in category management within a senior procurement role.
• Advanced knowledge of category management and procurement models.
• Customer-centric approach to procurement delivery.
• Strong leadership, communication, and negotiation skills.
• Excellent analytical and decision-making abilities.
• Organised, resilient, and deadline-driven.
• Proficient in P2P and reporting systems, Excel, Power BI, and ideally Visio.
• Demonstrable success in delivering cost savings and operational improvements.
• Strong understanding of supply chains, frameworks, and contract law.
• Experience shaping procurement policies and procedures.
• Confident and constructive stakeholder engagement

• Desirable
• MCIPS qualified or working towards.
• Experience in category management and supplier segmentation.
• Knowledge of ISO standards, ESG compliance, and ethical sourcing practices.
• Experience in regulated industries (e.g. utilities, pharmaceuticals, aerospace, food).

About Us

MWH Treatment is an integrated design and build provider working in the water sector. With over 1400 staff working across eight regional centres, supporting six long-term water sector frameworks and two recently won frameworks, operating both as a sole contractor but also in joint ventures and alliances.

At MWH Treatment we believe that people matter. We know to build successful, creative teams we need a diverse workforce that can deliver innovative ways of thinking. We provide an environment where you will have the freedom to develop and grow to your full potential, creating opportunity by inviting, embracing, and celebrating difference, our goal as an employer is to motivate, and develop our employees. By fostering a diverse range of talents and perspectives we ensure we have the breadth of viewpoints, experiences, and skills needed to succeed. Embracing diversity of all kinds enables us to provide a work environment and culture that plays a key role in attracting and retaining the right people with the right skills.

As signatories to the Armed Forces Corporate Covenant, we have made a promise to support our forces, working with the CTP to help ex veterans find work in the civilian world. We also support Mates in Mind, a charitable programme to improve and promote positive mental health in the workplace. We don't just tick boxes; we live these values every day.

What MWH offer

Packages include -

A competitive salary

Hybrid Working (Jobs needs dependent)

Car/car allowance (Jobs needs dependent)

25 days holiday + Bank Holidays (with an additional 5 days available to buy)

Contribution Pension scheme

Life Assurance

Health Insurance

Private Medical Insurance

And many more benefits including - cycle to work scheme, discounts and savings Hub, Kids Pass etc