Commercial Specialist / Contract Manager

Multiple roles available, across direct and indirect categories.

Hello! Thanks for stopping by. Let us tell you about all the great reasons to join us here at Yorkshire Water:

• We offer a competitive salary, up to £60,000 per annum - depending on experience
• Annual incentive-related bonus (£1000 maximum bonus opportunity for the performance year)
• Attractive pension scheme (up to 12% company contribution)
• Development opportunities in line with the Commercial Specialist progression plan
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays – plus an extra wellness day!
• Life assurance cover of 4 times pensionable salary
• A great benefits package – choose from health cash plan scheme, critical illness insurance, dental insurance, life assurance flex and partner cover.
• Retail savings scheme
• Online GP service, cycle to work scheme, gym membership discounts and many more!

Location: Bradford / Hybrid Working (2 office days/week)

Work type: Permanent. 37 hours per week, Monday – Friday.

We have an exciting opportunity to join a growing and transforming Commercial function as a Commercial Specialist in the Commercial – Operations team at Yorkshire Water. Be a part of an exciting time at the start of AMP8, that provides new funding and regulatory focus for the Water industry, to enable the business to drive the transformation of Yorkshire Water that can provide the best service to our customers.

This is an exciting time for Commercial as we grow the capability in our team, support an extensive pipeline of activity and seek to drive good value for our customers.

What we do: Everyone has an idea of what a water company does. Here in Yorkshire, we make sure that over 5.4 million people living in the region and the millions of people who visit our region each year, can rely on our services, and have clean and safe drinking water on tap and that their wastewater is taken away. But for us, it’s so much more than this. We look after communities, protect the environment, and plan to look after Yorkshire’s water, today, tomorrow 24/7, 365 days a year. We provide essential water and wastewater services to every corner of the Yorkshire region, and play a key role in the region’s health, wellbeing, and prosperity.

New environmental legislation, unprecedented levels of investment and changing expectations from customers means that this is an exciting time to discover opportunities within the water industry. Our Commercial team are a key part of how we plan to meet the changing expectations of customers and regulators.

Areas of expertise sought: There are multiple roles available across different direct and indirect categories:

• FM & Energy
• Professional Services
• IT & OT Networks (Wastewater and Clean Water)
• Operational Services
• Operational Goods and Maintenance

Where you fit in: As a Commercial Specialist / Contract Manager you will provide a key role in the delivery of the Category team focusing on Contract Management and Supplier Relationship Management. Working as part of the Category Management function/procurement supporting Service Delivery. Playing a key role in contract management at Yorkshire Water, you will focus on performance commitment delivery, customer experience, and overall business reputation, working collaboratively to outperform.

In delivering the role, you will:

• Be a commercial expert providing key commercial advice and guidance to internal and external stakeholders.
• Ensure robust contract management processes and procedures are put in place, along with the production of accessible and accurate reporting.
• Ensure compliance with the Utilities Contracts Regulations (UCR2016) and Procurement Act 2023 (PA23) and Internal Governance, including ensuring robust auditing and delivery of contract obligations.
• Provide key Commercial advice to applications for payment.
• Deliver change control and contract administration assurance.
• Implement Supply chain management and procurement support.

What skills & qualifications you will need:

• Commercial leadership – ability to manage strategic contract management approach for the category, ensuring best value for money, delivery of YW performance and compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Wide-ranging experience in commercial contract management in a commercial environment.
• Be skilled in managing multiple contracts and frameworks and implementing change to contracts.
• Strong Stakeholder management with the ability to lead engagement with different business leads ensure successful delivery of the contracts.
• Strong supplier relationship management (SRM) skills and experience.
• Knowledge of the administration associated with construction contracts.
• Experience of managing complex KPIs across multiple frameworks.
• Ability to identify, quantify and control commercial risk.
• Commercial assurance of financial and contractual aspects of works.
• Dispute resolution skills.

You will also benefit from having:

• Knowledge associated with developing procurement processes and procedures.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Comprehensive understanding of relevant Procure to Pay systems (SAP/ARIBA).
• MCIPS/Business Degree.
• Experience in water/utilities (or wider infrastructure sector).

Although we operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, it’s important to us that we support flexible working patterns and job share options (when we can), to help you make the best of both your work and home life. We know that juggling childcare responsibilities or getting that ideal work/life balance isn’t always easy!

If you’ve got experience in Contract Management and want to help us deliver great service for our customers whilst looking after the environment, then be sure to apply today to find out what a career with Yorkshire Water can offer you.

Accessibility: We are committed to removing barriers and ensuring our recruitment process is accessible to everyone. We offer a range of adjustments to make your application experience as comfortable and straightforward as possible. If you have an accessibility need, disability, or condition that requires changes to the recruitment process, please include this information in your application. We will then discuss any reasonable adjustments required.

Just a heads-up! We might start interviewing and close the position earlier based on the response. To make sure you’re considered, please send in your application as soon as you can. If successful for the role, you will be required to undergo pre-employment checks that will include a Basic Disclosure Check, carried out through a Third-Party Company, prior to commencing employment. Depending on the role, you may also be required to go through the security vetting process for either a Counter Terrorist Check or Security Check clearance. All our roles are subject to a medical questionnaire, and further medicals when required.