Programme Procurement Manager

Programme Procurement Manager

Location & working pattern:
Hybrid working model, split between Peterborough and London offices, with 2-3 days per week in the office and the remainder working from home.

Contract:

Permanent

NEC KNOWLEDGE IS ESSENTIAL

About the role

This is a senior procurement role supporting the delivery of a large-scale, nationally significant infrastructure and capital delivery programme within the UK water sector. The role will play a critical part in shaping and delivering procurement strategies that enable successful programme outcomes, ensure regulatory compliance, and deliver long-term value for customers.

You will be responsible for planning, managing, and delivering complex, high-value strategic sourcing activity across a multi-phase capital programme. Acting as a trusted commercial partner, you will work closely with senior stakeholders across engineering, project delivery, commercial, legal, and finance teams.

Key responsibilities

Strategic sourcing and commercial delivery

Develop, own, and manage a portfolio of complex procurement activity aligned to major infrastructure and capital delivery objectives

Design and deliver end-to-end sourcing strategies, from early market engagement through tendering, negotiation, contract award, and mobilisation

Lead high-value and high-risk commercial negotiations using appropriate sourcing tools and methodologies

Ensure procurement activity delivers measurable value, balancing cost, risk, performance, resilience, and long-term sustainability

Stakeholder engagement and business partnering

Build strong, credible relationships with senior stakeholders across programme, engineering, and corporate functions

Act as a trusted commercial adviser, providing clear procurement guidance and constructive challenge

Translate programme and project requirements into robust procurement and contracting strategies

Influence decision-making through clear, evidence-based recommendations supported by market and commercial insight

Market insight, governance, and compliance

Develop and maintain a deep understanding of relevant supply markets, including capacity, capability, cost drivers, and risk factors

Identify and manage procurement risks and opportunities using data, market intelligence, and forecasting

Ensure compliance with the Procurement Act 2023, internal governance frameworks, and wider regulatory requirements

Contracting and supplier management

Lead supplier appointment and onboarding using sourcing methodologies proportionate to value and complexity

Ensure contracts are appropriately structured, with clear commercial terms, performance measures, and risk allocation

Support effective contract mobilisation and work closely with contract managers to enable successful delivery

What we're looking for

An experienced procurement professional with a strong background in major infrastructure or capital delivery programmes

CIPS qualified to Level 5 minimum, or educated to degree or professional level in procurement, commercial management, or a related discipline

Strong working knowledge of the Procurement Act 2023 and public sector procurement requirements

Proven experience delivering complex strategic sourcing projects with significant commercial and risk exposure

Strong understanding of contract structures and legal terms; experience with NEC contracts is highly desirable