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.

The best place to develop your career

Join our family…

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.

Discover Our comprehensive range of services

People thrive at Wates

About you…

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

Hear from our people

Sarah Kemp

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.”

Careers in procurement

Want to be a part of our team?

Grow your career with us in procurement and supply chain. From entry-level to director roles, we offer strong support and growth opportunities

Mobile Foot Engineer Central London

Location: London

Job Type: Engineering

Application Deadline: 31-03-2026

Foot Mobile – Electrical EngineerLocation: Central LondonHours: Monday to Friday, 08:00 – 17:00Reports To: Mobile Team LeadContract Type: Permanent, Full-TimeRole OverviewWe are seeking a skilled and proactive Foot Mobile Electrical Engineer to join our London-based maintenance team. The successful candidate will be responsible for carrying out electrical repairs, small works, and maintenance across a portfolio of commercial sites. This is a hands-on role for an experienced engineer who takes pride in delivering high-quality work and reliable service.Key Responsibilities Carry out electrical fault finding, repairs, and small installation works across multiple client sites. Perform emergency lighting repairs and testing, ensuring systems meet statutory and company compliance standards. Support wider building services operations, assisting with general electrical maintenance when required. Record all work and asset information accurately via the CAFM system (elogs) — full training will be provided. Ensure all electrical work complies with current IET wiring regulations (BS 7671). Diagnose and rectify faults in a timely and efficient manner to minimise downtime. Communicate effectively with clients and team members, maintaining a professional approach at all times. Follow company health, safety, and environmental procedures.Skills & Experience Required Fully qualified Electrician – NVQ Level 3 or equivalent. 18th Edition Wiring Regulations essential & Part 1 & Part 2 (Electrical Installation) Proven experience within commercial building services maintenance. Strong fault-finding and problem-solving skills. Ability to work independently and manage workload effectively. Good IT literacy; familiarity with CAFM systems beneficial (training provided). Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.Additional Information No callout rota required. Opportunities for overtime and additional works. Company uniform and training provided. Excellent opportunity for career growth within a supportive and professional team.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

Scheduler

Location: Manchester

Job Type: Cost Planning

Application Deadline: 20-02-2026

Scheduler Location: ManchesterContract: Full-time, PermanentWPS is looking for a proactive and organised Scheduler to join our team in Manchester. In this key role, you’ll be responsible for efficiently planning and allocating work to our operational teams, ensuring responsive repairs and maintenance activities are delivered on time and to a high standard.Key Responsibilities: Schedule and coordinate engineers’ workloads to meet service level agreements Communicate effectively with customers, engineers, and supervisors Monitor job progress, rearranging appointments where needed Maintain accurate records and update systems in real time Support the wider team to deliver excellent customer serviceAbout You: Strong organisational and time-management skills Confident communicator with a customer-focused approach Experience in scheduling, coordination, or a similar fast-paced role (housing/repairs sector experience desirable) Comfortable using scheduling or CRM systemsIf you thrive in a busy environment and enjoy problem-solving, we’d love to hear from you.Apply today to join WPS and help us deliver great service to our customers.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

Site Manager

Location: Leamington Spa

Job Type: Operational

Application Deadline: 25-02-2026

WPS Planned Division 📍 Leamington SpaAbout the ProjectWPS Planned Division is delivering a significant programme of works for one of our existing social housing partners focused on retrofit, energy efficiency, and decarbonisation.The project includes insulation upgrades, new roofs, windows, and doors, alongside innovative digital and renewable technologies such as smart thermostats, heat pumps, and solar panels. These works are designed to improve energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions, and lower energy costs for residents, aligned with SHDF and similar funding frameworks.The RoleWe are seeking an experienced and hands-on Site Manager to oversee planned works across the Leamington Spa area. You will take full responsibility for day-to-day site operations, leading teams to deliver works safely, on programme, and to the highest quality standards, while maintaining excellent client and resident relationships.Key ResponsibilitiesAs Site Manager, you will: Programme Management: Plan, coordinate, and monitor short-term programmes of work to ensure timely and efficient delivery Team Leadership: Manage direct labour and subcontractors, ensuring performance targets, quality standards, and specifications are met Health & Safety: Ensure full compliance with H&S legislation, company procedures, and site documentation requirements Site Standards: Maintain high standards of attendance, conduct, housekeeping, and PPE compliance Resource Management: Ensure all operatives and subcontractors are correctly qualified, inducted, and equipped Quality Control: Monitor workmanship, manage defects, and respond to client variations Client & Stakeholder Engagement: Attend inspections and meetings, providing clear and regular progress updates Reporting: Produce accurate reports covering health & safety, programming, and labour attendance Commercial Awareness: Work closely with the commercial team to support cost control and overall project successWho You’ll Work With Directly employed workforce Subcontractors and suppliers Internal operational and commercial teams Clients, residents, and key stakeholdersAbout YouYou will be a proactive and organised Site Manager with proven experience delivering SHDF-funded or similar retrofit, energy efficiency, or decarbonisation projects, ideally within social housing or occupied environments. You’ll be a confident leader with strong communication skills and a commitment to safety, quality, and customer satisfaction.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

Assistant Surveyor

Location: Birmingham

Job Type: Commercial

Application Deadline: 28-02-2026

WPS are looking for an Assistant Quantity Surveyor to join our team, supporting the delivery of planned maintenance and refurbishment works within the social housing sector across the West Midlands.This is a great opportunity for someone looking to build their commercial career within a supportive and experienced team, working on meaningful projects that make a real difference to communities.The RoleWorking closely with the Project and Senior Quantity Surveyors, you will support the commercial management of planned social housing projects, ensuring costs are controlled and projects are delivered efficiently.Key responsibilities will include: Assisting with the commercial management of planned works projects Producing cost reports and supporting monthly valuations Assisting with subcontractor procurement and placing orders Carrying out site measurements and take-offs Supporting the management of variations and final accounts Building effective working relationships with site teams, clients and supply chain partnersAbout YouTo be successful in this role, you will: Have experience in a similar Assistant Quantity Surveyor or commercial role (ideally within social housing, maintenance or construction) Be keen to learn and develop within a commercial environment Have strong organisational and communication skills Be comfortable working across multiple sites and priorities Hold a full UK driving licence and be willing to travel to sites across the West Midlands as requiredWhat We Offer The opportunity to work on long-term planned social housing programmes Career development and support from experienced commercial professionals A stable pipeline of work within the public sector Competitive salary and benefits package (dependent on experience)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