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.”
CAREERS IN PROCUREMENT
Design Manager
Location: Thetford
Job Type: Design
Application Deadline: 10-07-2025
Wates Construction are looking for a Design Manager to join our 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
Mobile Engineer
Location: East Midlands
Job Type: Engineering
Application Deadline: 10-07-2025
Mobile Engineer – Multi Skilled – Electrical biasLocation: Midlands/ East Midlands – Birmingham/NottinghamJob Type: Full TimeContract Type: PermanentHere at Wates, we have a fantastic opportunity for a Mobile Engineer to join our Facilities Management mobile team supporting our clients based in the Midlands and East Midlands. The patch itself is between Birmingham City Centre and Nottingham, so we are ideally looking for someone residing within a suitable commute to these areas.The main objectives are for you to carry out daily Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) / Reactive Maintenance and extra works, whilst responding to emergencies in accordance with the contract requirements. Daily duties will consist of emergency lighting testing, L8, fire alarm testing, FCU maintenance, etc. Further works will consist of lighting repairs, minor plumbing repairs, responding to emergencies such as leaks, etc. Due to the nature of the works, we are exceptionally keen to speak to multi-skilled engineers with good I.T skills, and the capacity to self-manage.ABOUT YOUTo be successful in this role, you will ideally have the following: Experience in a similar multi-skilled role C&G 2382 BS7671: 18th Edition Wiring Regulations C&G 2367 or 2357 (Electrical Installation) and NVQ level 3 in Electrical Installations or equivalent qualifications Electrical Inspection & Testing (Desirable) Experience in Facilities Management (Hard Services) Mechanical Experience (FCU, AHU, Plumbing) Experience with Building Management Systems Experience using CAFM Systems. Strong I.T SkillsWhat is important to us is your natural communication skills to deliver high levels of customer service at all times, your ability to effectively multi-task, work to tight deadlines and problem solve on the job; whilst always promoting health & safety excellence.ABOUT THE ROLE Key Accountabilities will include: Ensure all works are delivered in guidance of the legislation and contractual obligations Utilise CAFM/PDA technology for real time job updates, and provide detailed/comprehensive reports on works delivered To respond in a prompt and effective manner to all reactive maintenance issues and help desk requests associated with the MEP assets we maintain on behalf of the client. To respond to call outs and cover breakdowns and emergencies associated with the electrical/mechanical services aspects of the contract as required.In return, we offer a competitive salary, additional pay when on call, along with 22 days holiday, Pension benefits, life Insurance, and a flexible benefits scheme that you can tailor to suit your lifestyle.Please make your current line manager aware that you are interested in this internal opportunity before applying. One of the Recruitment Team will then be in contact to discuss the role in more detail and advise of next steps.
Resident Engineer
Location: Birkenhead
Job Type: Engineering
Application Deadline: 10-07-2025
RESIDENT ENGINEER (Electrical Bias)Wates have excellent opportunity for an experienced Resident Engineer with electrical bias to join the team based at our client’s site, Millers Quay. This site is less than a year old and stands on the waterfront off Dock Road in Birkenhead, Liverpool. It consists of 6 high rise apartment blocks (around 500 apartments) with a Gym and Pavilion.ABOUT THE ROLEThe primary focus of this role will be to conduct planned preventative maintenance and reactive works on the buildings plant, equipment, and systems, as well as respond to site engineering emergencies on behalf of our clients.As the Resident Engineer, the day-to-day running of M&E tasks on site will be your responsibility. The ability to effectively time-manage while taking ownership will be essential.You will need to have relevant electrical qualifications (C&G Level 3 & 18th edition)You should have effective communication skills to liaise with the clients site management team, helpdesk and other engineers.You should be confident in your proven ability to effectively multi-task, work to deadlines & problem solve on the job.You will also need some experience with Microsoft Excel, Word and Outlook. Some experience using a CAFM system would be an advantage but not essential as training will be given.Wates is proud of its Zero-Harm policy so you will be expected to promote health & safety excellence at all times.This is a terrific opportunity to progress your career as part of a talented, diverse, and supportive team with excellent opportunity to increase skills with training.Some of the other key Accountabilities as a Resident Engineer include:• Using the clients CAFM system, accepting jobs, ensure job SLA’S are not breached, providing meaningful updates and uploading paperwork for the client to review.• Supervise subcontractors effectively. Ensuring their Method Statements and Risk Assessments are relevant and signed off.• Ensure compliance with all Company policies and procedures. Basic Fire Doors inspections (training will be provided) Basic Plumbing skills would also be an advantage.WHAT WE OFFER Competitive salary On call rota, overtime can be available. Supplied PPE, tools, and uniform. Mobile Phone and Laptop provided. Ability to buy holiday (up to 5 days) Employee Assistance programme (EAP) Employee discounts with various brands Extensive corporate benefits including, Private Medical, Pension 5% employers’ contribution, Health and Wellness programme, 22 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, 8 weeks fully paid paternity.To find out more about LIFE AT WATES please click on the following link https://www.wates.co.uk/careers/One of the Recruitment Team will then be in contact to discuss the role in more detail and advise of next steps.
Commercial Administrator
Location: Skelmersdale
Job Type: Commercial
Application Deadline: 09-07-2025
Are you ready to take your career to the next level? Join us at Wates as a Commercial Administrator in our Skelmersdale office! This is an exciting office-based role where you'll be at the heart of our operations, engaging in comprehensive commercial administrative duties and providing vital support to our team across several key contract areas.Key Responsibilities: Produce and send subcontractor pre-works schedule of rates based on supervisors' scope of works. Create scoping and pricing documents for review. Input variations into client systems. Check and process subcontractor applications. Release pre-agreed invoices within our financial system. Track and resolve post-inspection queries. Take new orders, code works from booking sheets, photos, and subcontractor invoices, and pass them to the Quantity Surveyor for final review and client approval. Generate invoices for the client and liaise with their payroll department to ensure timely payment.We are looking for a confident communicator who is highly computer literate (Microsoft suite – Word, Excel, etc.) and extremely organized. While experience in the commercial/maintenance industry is ideal, it is not essential. An understanding of NHF schedule of rates would be advantageous.Given the nature of this position, a Basic Disclosure and Barring Service Check (DBS) will be required at the offer stage. We assess applicants with criminal convictions individually and do not discriminate based on an applicant's criminal record or disclosed offenses. 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.Join us and be a part of a dynamic team where your skills and dedication will make a difference!