Senior Category Buyer

Senior Category Buyer (Infrastructure / NEC Contracts)

Location: Warwick (Hybrid - with supplier site visits)
Pay Rate: £500 per day via umbrella (Inside IR35)
Contract Length:12-month contract

The Opportunity

We're supporting a major UK infrastructure organisation at a pivotal point in a long-term investment programme. They are looking for an experienced Senior Category Buyer to take ownership of a newly established procurement framework and play a key role in delivering a pipeline of critical projects.

This is a fantastic opportunity to step into a high-impact, autonomous role, where you'll help shape procurement delivery over the next five years - blending strategic influence with hands-on sourcing.

The Role

This is a high-volume, delivery-focused procurement role, where success comes from managing multiple sourcing activities simultaneously rather than focusing on one large project.

You'll play a key role in bringing suppliers, project teams, and internal stakeholders together, ensuring smooth delivery of initial contracts and setting up a repeatable model for future work.

Key Responsibilities

Lead the mobilisation of a newly awarded framework, ensuring it is fully operational
Deliver multiple concurrent sourcing activities (design-stage call-offs)
Manage ~30 live projects at any given time, balancing competing priorities
Coordinate closely with:
Project and development teams
External suppliers
Establish strong supplier relationships and effective communication channels
Support delivery of NEC-based contracts (including design contracts)
Advise stakeholders on procurement approach and contract strategy
Build a repeatable procurement process for long-term programme delivery

What We're Looking For

Essential Experience

Proven background in procurement within infrastructure, construction or engineering environments
Experience managing multiple sourcing events / projects simultaneously
Strong working knowledge of NEC contracts
Ability to operate in a fast-paced, high-volume environment
Confident engaging and influencing multiple stakeholders
Demonstrated experience of end-to-end sourcing and contract delivery

Desirable

Experience mobilising or working with procurement frameworks
Exposure to design-stage contracts
Knowledge of NEC Option C (target cost) environments
Utilities or energy sector experience (not essential)

Please note: Due to the high volume of applications, only successful candidates will be contacted. If you do not hear from us within 48 hours, unfortunately, your application has not been successful on this occasion. However, we may retain your details for any future suitable vacancies and contact you accordingly.

Pontoon is an employment consultancy. We put expertise, energy, and enthusiasm into improving everyone's chance of being part of the workplace. We respect and appreciate people of all ethnicities, generations, religious beliefs, sexual orientations, gender identities, and more. We do this by showcasing their talents, skills, and unique experience in an inclusive environment that helps them thrive. If you require reasonable adjustments at any stage, please let us know and we will be happy to support you.

We use generative AI tools to support our candidate screening process. This helps us ensure a fair, consistent, and efficient experience for all applicants. Rest assured, all final decisions are made by our hiring team, and your application will be reviewed with care and attention