Job Description

Title: Category Manager (Construction)
Contract Type: Permanent, Full Time, 35 hours per week
Salary: 55,270 per annum to 61,018 per annum (London weighted salary) or 47,920 per annum to 53,345 per annum (Regional salary), dependant on experience
Grade: 10
Reporting Office: London, Stratford or Manchester, Trafford
Persona: Agile Worker: 20% - 40% of contractual hours to be worked from reporting office/working location (hybrid working)
Closing Date: 10th February 2026 at 11pm
Interview Dates: 19th February 2026 via MS Teams. Please note that in person interviews will be held for at least one of the interview stages for this role on the 24th February 2026.
include: Excellent pension plan (up to 6% double contribution), 28 days Annual Leave rising to 31 days with length of service + Bank Holidays, Westfield Health Cash Plan, non-contributory life assurance, up to 21 hours volunteering paid days, lifestyle benefits, Employee Assistance Programme and ...
Early applications are encouraged as we reserve the right to close the advertisement and interview earlier than stated.
Join our Commercial Procurement Team at L&Q:
We have a fantastic procurement opportunity within a newly formed business structure team, who specialise and focus on procurement delivery, category management and business partnering, while driving forward our vision of operational and commercial excellence, within the Housing Sector.
We are seeking for an experienced Category Manager with proven expertise in Maintenance, Repair, and Construction / New Builds, from the housing sector.
If this sounds like you, we would love for you to apply!
Your impact in the role:
The successful candidate will possess both in-depth knowledge of social housing maintenance, new build construction and demonstrate the ability to deliver results from day one. You will lead on a range of procurement and supply chain initiatives, supporting internal stakeholders across multiple million-pound projects and contract negotiations, while driving operational and commercial excellence.
So, if you are a meticulous procurement professional with strong commercial acumen and a passion for both delivering value and best in class then - we would 'love' for you to apply.
Sharp, develop and deliver bespoke category strategies and procurement plans across a wide range of goods and services to maximize value, quality, services and mitigate risk, by alignment of delivered category strategies with business needs and objectives, in accordance with procurement policies and best practices.
Ensure full compliance with Public Procurement Act 2023 (PA2023) across L&Q's complex internal new build projects and maintenance workstreams in the South and Northwest regions.
Drive both stakeholder engagement, cost efficiency, and social value through strategic sourcing and market analysis. Conduct comprehensive market research and building deep market insight by analysing supply tends, key players and maintain strong supplier relationships (Using this intelligence to inform strategic souring decisions, ensuring alignment with technical and business requirements).
Manage and leading on complex multiple-million-pound contract negotiations, show casing both strong commercial and legally compliant mindset and approach on high-value, high-risk procurement projects from initiation to completion (delivering on time and achieving savings or added value).
What you'll bring:

• Experience in managing end-to end procurement activity, with a strong understanding of Public Procurement Regulations (particularly within the housing sector and covering both new build construction, maintenance, and repair categories, is desirable and particularly advantageous).
• Proven history in managing complex, high-value procurement projects using various routes to market (frameworks, dynamic marketplaces, open tenders, competitive flexible procedures, etc).
• Expertise in leading tenders and negotiations with both Main contractors, Sub-Contractors and SMEs including supplier performance management.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, collaborating effectively across operational, commercial, finance, and design teams. With the proven ability to deliver procurement solutions tailored to stakeholder needs, across both public and private sectors, and particularly the Housing Sector.
• Ability and knowledge of drafting detailed tender and contract documentation (e.g., JCTs and contract templates) including both quality and commercial tender evaluations and negotiations, to produce clear, insightful reports.
• Exceptional communication skills (at all levels).
• Excellent strong contract negotiation, financial and commercial acumen skills.
• A results-driven approach with a commitment to delivery operational excellence.

If you require any reasonable adjustments at any stage during this process, including application stage, please email
About L&Q:
We're one of the UK's leading housing associations and developers. We were founded on a simple belief: high quality housing is vital for people's health, happiness and security. Everyone deserves a quality home that gives them the chance to live a better life.
250,000 people call our properties 'home', and we're proud to serve diverse communities across London, the South East and North West of England.
People are at the heart of our business and our success depends on employing the best people and getting the best from them. The foundation of everything that we are is built on our corporate , which outlines our core expectations and should be demonstrated at all times, and all levels, when representing L&Q.
At L&Q, we know that diversity and inclusion make us stronger - and they're at the heart of everything we do.
When we recruit, we look at what really matters: your skills, experience, and potential. We're proud to be recognised for creating an inclusive workplace. We're a Disability Confident Leader (Level 3) and we've introduced our own Recruitment Advocate scheme to make sure every step of our hiring process is fair, transparent, and consistent. It's all part of our commitment to ending discrimination and making L&Q a place where everyone feels welcome. Fine out more .
Sustainability is also at the heart of what we do. We recognise the responsibility we hold as one of the UK's largest housing associations.
Click to find out more about L&Q and why you should join us!
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Skills Required