Procurement
We procure a range of products and services and spend over £1bn a year with our supply chain, helping local communities to thrive. Join us and we’ll help your career do the same.
We procure a range of products and services and spend over £1bn a year with our supply chain, helping local communities to thrive. Join us and we’ll help your career do the same.

The best place to develop your career
We are committed to responsible and ethical procurement. We only work with organisations which share our commitments to high quality and sustainability.
We have a huge range of opportunities in our team from Procurement Administrator, up to procurement and supply chain Directors. Key roles include Procurement Manager, Supply Chain Manager, Category Manager, Data Analyst, Reporting Analyst and Compliance Manager. You can start as an apprentice or assistant and work your way up.
Wates is a friendly, family-owned, very successful business. How you progress is up to you – you can stay within your same area of expertise or move into other parts of the business. It’s an interesting, rewarding career. We believe in promoting from within, and we’ll give you all the training and support you need to grow. There’s no better place to build your career.

People thrive at Wates
Whether you have construction experience, fancy a career change, or are returning to work after a break, we’d love to hear from you.
Ideally, we’d like you to have experience in the role in a similar business. A procurement or commercial background would be good too. Most importantly, it’s about the qualities you bring. We’re looking for people with a ‘can do’ attitude. Someone who’s friendly, open minded, engaging and prepared to work in a collective way.
Regarding transferable skills, you should understand negotiation and contracts. Leading workshops and presenting skills would also be useful.
We have different roles within procurement, so we can range from people having experience to MSIPS chartered, CIOB qualification at a senior level.
Testimonials
Senior Buyer
"When I joined Wates, I had just left a decade long career in Fashion – a very different world to Construction! I had no industry experience and little knowledge of the sector, but right from the start, I could tell that this was a business that I wanted to work for. Everyone I spoke to before joining was friendly, professional and knowledgeable and this gave me confidence in my career move. There is a very supportive culture at Wates that has a true family feel. It is friendly but professional and everyone is approachable and helpful. The flexibility that Wates offer was something that, as a working mum of two, was attractive to me, as were the opportunities to develop and progress. All of this, together with their focus on looking after their employees and the numerous benefits they offer, makes it a great place to work. I feel very fortunate to work at Wates and would recommend it to anyone looking to advance their career in a company that values and challenges its employees.”
Design Manager
Location: Rugby
Job Type: Design
Application Deadline: 04-03-2026
Wates are looking for a Design Manager to join our Construction Team focussing on high profile, technically complex projects across multiple sectors. If you are passionate about design, working within a team environment and with proven technical skills looking for an opportunity to challenge the norm, bring fresh new ideas and elevate yourself within the industry then join us and help to create tomorrow together. This is a great opportunity to progress your career as part of a talented, diverse, and supportive team. ABOUT THE ROLE Our Design Managers are a valuable part of our business, driving quality outcomes, enhancing buildability and fostering innovation. Design Managers work collaboratively with our industry specialists and in-house technical experts to ensure that the design develops in accordance with the brief with a firm focus on added value, compliance, commercial viability, and best practice. As our Design Manager you will: Work with all relevant parties, to produce and manage a realistic design programme and information required schedule to facilitate design, procurement and construction activities Support the implementation of Continuous Improvement initiatives and innovation Ensure the design has been reviewed and verified to achieve compliance and mitigate Health and Safety, design and buildability issues prior to construction and identify key risks and opportunities at each stage of the design and delivery process. WHAT WE OFFER Competitive salary & profit share scheme Flexible working Car Allowance / Company Car (subject to Role/Grade) Travel covered to any of our sites (subject to HMRC advisory rates) Extensive corporate benefits including, Private Medical, Pension 8% employers’ contribution, Health and Wellness programme, 26 days holidays + bank holidays and much more… Excellent range of learning and development activity to support your career progression. Industry leading family leave benefits to included 26 weeks fully paid maternity, 12 weeks fully paid paternity. To find out more about LIFE AT WATES please click on the following link https://www.wates.co.uk/careers/ We are always looking for a variety of new talent to join our teams, to help us grow and innovate as a business. Although you may not have all of the skills listed, many of them may be transferable to other roles within the WATES Group. If you would like clarity on any of our vacancies, discuss career opportunities in strict confidence or need anything to make our recruitment process easier, please contact our In-House Recruitment Team directly or via recruitment@wates.co.uk and one of us will get in touch as soon as possible. As a responsible and inclusive employer, we are committed to equality and are proud to have been recognised for this through a range of accolades including gold accreditation with Investors in People, we are also a Disability Confident employer. Being a family owned, business means we understand and value long term relationships. Given the nature of this position, you will need to undergo a Basic Disclosure and Barring Service Check (DBS) at offer stage. Applicants with criminal convictions will be assessed individually, and we assure you that we do not discriminate based on an applicant's criminal record or the details of any disclosed offenses. Additionally, certain roles may be subject to additional pre-employment checks. To learn more about the checks included in this process, please click on the following link: National Security Vetting
Senior Design Manager
Location: Manchester
Job Type: Design
Application Deadline: 04-03-2026
We’re not just building projects – we’re shaping skylines, redefining spaces, and creating environments that inspire. Now, we’re looking for a Senior Design Manager to join our Construction Team and lead the charge on high-profile, technically complex projects across multiple sectors.If you’re someone who loves turning bold ideas into reality and has has the technical expertise to challenge convention and raise the bar then this is your moment. Bring your creativity, your vision, and your ambition – and let’s create tomorrow togetherAt Wates, you’ll find a supportive, diverse team and the freedom to push boundaries, innovate, and grow your career to new heights.ABOUT THE ROLE Our Senior Design Managers are a valuable part of our business, driving quality outcomes, enhancing buildability and fostering innovation. Senior Design Managers work collaboratively with our customers and industry specialists to ensure that the design develops in accordance with the brief with a firm focus on added value, compliance, commercial viability, and best practice. As our Senior Design Manager, you will: Review the current design of all projects and undertake detailed risk and opportunities appraisal to mitigating risk, enhance buildability and add value prior to construction phase In collaboration with the project team, Lead Designer and Consultant Team, produce and manage a realistic design programme and information required schedule, to satisfy design, procurement, and construction requirements. Work closely with the Commercial and Operations Teams to ensure all design deliverables are fully coordinated, buildable and within budget. Contribute to technical workshops, value management exercises as required to align expectations in this respect WHAT WE OFFER Competitive salary & profit share scheme Flexible working Car Allowance / Company Car (subject to Role/Grade) Travel covered to any of our sites (subject to HMRC advisory rates) Extensive corporate benefits including, Private Medical, Pension 8% employers’ contribution, Health and Wellness programme, 26 days holidays + bank holidays and much more… Excellent range of learning and development activity to support your career progression. Industry leading family leave benefits to included 26 weeks fully paid maternity, 12 weeks fully paid paternity. To find out more about LIFE AT WATES please click on the following link https://www.wates.co.uk/careers/ We are always looking for a variety of new talent to join our teams, to help us grow and innovate as a business. Although you may not have all of the skills listed, many of them may be transferable to other roles within the WATES Group. If you would like clarity on any of our vacancies, discuss career opportunities in strict confidence or need anything to make our recruitment process easier, please contact our In-House Recruitment Team directly or via recruitment@wates.co.uk and one of us will get in touch as soon as possible. As a responsible and inclusive employer, we are committed to equality and are proud to have been recognised for this through a range of accolades including gold accreditation with Investors in People, we are also a Disability Confident employer. Being a family owned, business means we understand and value long term relationships. Given the nature of this position, you will need to undergo a Basic Disclosure and Barring Service Check (DBS) at offer stage. Applicants with criminal convictions will be assessed individually, and we assure you that we do not discriminate based on an applicant's criminal record or the details of any disclosed offenses. Additionally, certain roles may be subject to additional pre-employment checks. To learn more about the checks included in this process, please click on the following link: National Security Vetting
Technical Services Manager
Location: London
Job Type: Engineering
Application Deadline: 04-03-2026
Technical Services ManagerLocation: Central London (within the M25)Contract: Full-time, PermanentAre you an experienced Technical Services Manager with strong M&E expertise and a passion for leading high-performing teams?We are looking for a commercially astute Technical Services Manager to join our Central London operations. This is a key leadership role, where you'll oversee technical delivery, manage a team and ensure exceptional service standards across our portfolio.About the RoleAs the Technical Services Manager, you will be responsible for the end-to-end management of our Mechanical & Electrical (M&E) service delivery, ensuring compliance, quality, and safety across all activities. You’ll lead a team of supervisory staff, provide technical direction, and play an integral role in driving operational performance.You’ll also have responsibility for commercial oversight, managing budgets, monitoring P&L performance, and supporting continuous improvement initiatives to deliver value for our clients.Key Responsibilities Lead, mentor, and develop a team of technical supervisors and engineers Oversee all M&E service delivery across the Central London region Ensure compliance with statutory, regulatory, and organisational standards Provide technical expertise on complex M&E issues and projects Manage operational budgets and contribute to P&L performance Monitor KPIs, service levels, and contract performance Build strong relationships with clients, stakeholders, and supply chain partners Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, innovation, and service delivery Support health & safety management and risk mitigation measuresAbout YouWe’re looking for someone who brings: Proven experience in a Technical Services / M&E management role Strong leadership skills with experience managing supervisors or engineering teams Solid technical knowledge across Mechanical & Electrical services Commercial acumen with experience managing budgets and contributing to P&L Excellent stakeholder management and communication abilities A proactive, solutions-focused mindsetRelevant qualifications (e.g., mechanical or electrical engineering, HNC/HND, or equivalent) are desirable.Given the nature of this position, you will need to undergo a Basic Disclosure and Barring Service Check (DBS) at offer stage. Applicants with criminal convictions will be assessed individually, and we assure you that we do not discriminate based on an applicant's criminal record or the details of any disclosed offenses. Additionally, certain roles may be subject to additional pre-employment checks. To learn more about the checks included in this process, please click on the following link: National Security Vetting
Apprentice Planner – Level 3
Location: North Shields
Job Type: Planning
Application Deadline: 10-03-2026
Ready to take the next step in your career and join a supportive, collaborative team where everyone can thrive?About usSES Engineering Services (SES) is recognised as one of the leading M&E partners in the UK. Specialising in the design and installation of building services and infrastructure solutions, SES covers all aspects of M&E engineering.About the roleWe have an exciting opportunity for you to join our team as an Apprentice Planner. This role will give you the experience of working on a busy construction site as well as studying on a day release basis to achieve a level 3 apprenticeship qualification. Capturing the knowledge and experience of various disciplines within the building services industry to learn and understand the role as a planner, your daily tasks will include, but not limited to communicating with colleagues and producing & updating project schedules, collating progress of mechanical & electrical systems, site visits to gain understanding of systems and assisting the planning team with daily planning tasks.Your Responsibilities As an Apprentice Planner you will support the planning team with planning tasks and support other disciplines such as design & operations.Responsibilities include but are not limited to the below Contribute to the development of fully integrated programmes for all project phases, including pre-commencement, design, procurement, IRS, installation, commissioning, handover, and seasonal activities. Work closely with project teams to help prepare and share progress reports, progress percentages, and programmes, ensuring alignment with SES best practice, company procedures, and project requirements for effective management and commercial protection. Support the planner in establishing and monitoring a balanced set of performance measurement criteria throughout the project lifecycle, including key performance indicators, milestone management, and trend analysis. Assist in integrating design and procurement elements with construction activities to promote seamless project delivery. Collaborate with the planner and bid team to help produce integrated tender programmes and method statements for settlement meetings. Ensure all work meets relevant business standards and best practices. Foster a collaborative working environment with team members and external partners, valuing diverse perspectives and contributions. You will attend college one day a week and work towards a Level 3 apprenticeship in Building Services Engineering Technician.Driving license desirable but not essential.About you An interest in building a career in the built environment Enthusiasm for learning and developing new skills A curious mindset and willingness to ask questions Dependable and professional in approach The ability to solve problems and think logically Strong organisational and time management skills Prioritising tasks to meet agreed deadlines Enjoys working collaboratively as part of a team Comfortable with the practical aspects of the role, which may involve physical activity Awareness of health and safety and a commitment to working safelyQualifications: To be considered for this apprenticeship you will need to have achieved a Grade 4 or C and above in Maths and EnglishYou must not hold an existing qualification at the same or higher level than this apprenticeship in a similar subject.Roles may close before the deadline if we receive a high volume of applications.Our Commitment to inclusion We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds.We're especially keen to hear from individuals who are underrepresented in the construction sector — including women, people from ethnic minority communities and people with disabilities. If you have a disability or require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know – we’re here to support you.