Senior Procurement Specialist (Category Manager – Works & Works-Related Services)

ABOUT THE LAND DEVELOPMENT AGENCY

The Land Development Agency (LDA) is the State’s affordable housing delivery body.  Its main role is to acquire and develop State and other land to deliver affordable homes, supporting the creation of thriving communities and delivering ongoing positive social impact. It is overseen by an independent Board of Directors and has total capitalisation of up to €8.75bn. To date €6.25 billion of equity capital has been committed by Government and a further €2.5bn capitalisation is permitted under legislation from other sources/debt.

The LDA is active on more than 20 State Land sites and has a delivery pipeline in excess of 25,000 homes.  The Agency also works in partnership with the country’s largest and most experienced homebuilders and will deliver a further 8,000 homes under its Project Tosaigh initiative.

Additionally, the LDA is working on large-scale longer-term strategic areas by master-planning and bringing forward planning applications in locations such as Limerick Colbert Quarter, the Digital Hub in Dublin and Sandy Road in Galway.

Role Summary

The Senior Procurement Specialist – Category Manager will own and manage a defined category within a portfolio, reporting to the Procurement Lead – Portfolio Manager.

This is a senior commercial delivery role for an Irish public procurement professional who operates as a Category Manager, not simply a tender administrator.

You will develop and implement category strategies, lead complex procurements end-to-end, manage risk and contract performance, and act as a trusted commercial advisor and critical friend to the business – translating portfolio strategy into delivery.

Key Responsibilities:

Category Strategy & Leadership

Own a defined category, building deep understanding of its supply markets, commercial models, risks and opportunities.

Develop and implement a category strategy aligned to portfolio and corporate objectives.

Shape sourcing approaches that deliver value, manage risk and enable housing delivery.

Procurement Delivery & Commercial Excellence

Lead complex, high-value and high-risk procurements under Irish and EU public procurement law.

Design sourcing strategies, procurement routes, selection and award criteria, and evaluation methodologies.

Apply public procurement law pragmatically and commercially to enable delivery.

Stakeholder & Commercial Partnership

Partner with senior stakeholders to shape commercial and procurement solutions.

Act as a trusted advisor and critical friend, providing insight, challenge and support.

Lead multi-disciplinary evaluation teams and moderation processes.

Tendering, Contracting & Transition

Lead end-to-end strategic competitions including market engagement, tendering, evaluation, award, Regulation 84 reporting, contract negotiation, mobilisation and transition.

Support and embed robust contract management and performance frameworks across the category.

Public Procurement Law, Governance & Risk

Apply deep, practical knowledge of Irish and EU public procurement law.

Identify and manage commercial, legal and delivery risks within the category.

Support audit, assurance and Public Spending Code compliance.

Systems, Data & Continuous Improvement

Use and improve procurement and contract management systems, registers and dashboards.

Contribute to procurement policy, templates and guidance.

Drive continuous improvement across category management practice.

Requirements:

We are seeking experienced Irish public procurement professionals who:

Operate as Category Managers, not just tender managers.

Have a strong track record of leading complex procurements under Irish and EU public procurement law – this is essential.

Are commercially minded, outcome-focused and able to design category strategies that deliver value and manage risk.

Have excellent stakeholder management skills and commercial judgement.

Are comfortable working in ambiguity and complexity.

Person Specification:

Strong analytical and commercial capability

Confidence leading evaluations and negotiations

A pragmatic, solution-focused approach to compliance

Excellent written and verbal communication skills

High professional integrity

A professional procurement qualification (e.g. CIPS or equivalent) is advantageous but not essential – public procurement law expertise and category leadership capability are the core requirements.

To Apply: 

The closing date for applications is 5pm on the 1st February 2026

The Land Development Agency is an equal opportunities employer. We are committed to promote and support a diverse and inclusive workforce, and we endeavour to provide reasonable accommodation as required.