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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape procurement strategies and lead sourcing for major projects in water services.
- Company: Join Southern Water, a leader in transforming infrastructure for a greener future.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, and career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on one of the UK's largest infrastructure investment programmes.
- Qualifications: Experience in category management and a recognised procurement qualification required.
- Other info: Enjoy autonomy, collaboration, and a dynamic work environment.
Location: Falmer (Brighton)
Contract Type: Permanent
Hours: 37/ week
Salary: £55,000
Ready to make an impact? Join Southern Water at a pivotal time as we deliver AMP8 - our largest investment programme ever; transforming our infrastructure over the next five years. As a Category & Sourcing Manager, you'll have unparalleled exposure to high-value contracts and strategic projects, shaping procurement strategies that influence the future of water and wastewater services.
This is a unique opportunity to work with a collaborative team, enjoy autonomy and variety, and play a critical role in driving innovation and value across one of the UK's most ambitious programmes.
There has never been a better time to join our organisation as we build towards a greener future, tackling climate change, minimising our environmental impact and reducing our carbon footprint!
(Please note: we are unable to offer sponsorship on this role)
What you'll be doing
- Develop and implement category strategies for delivery partners and major projects, ensuring alignment with procurement regulations (PA23) and business objectives.
- Lead sourcing and contracting activities, including formal tendering processes, mini competitions, and framework agreements.
- Engage with stakeholders to understand requirements and deliver solutions that optimise total cost of ownership.
- Drive cost reduction initiatives through standardisation, demand aggregation, and minimising tail spend.
- Introduce best practices and innovation into category strategies, ensuring continuous improvement.
- Monitor performance and compliance with policies, processes, and governance frameworks.
What we're looking for
- Experienced in category management, public sector, or construction industry procurement (UCR or PA23 knowledge desirable).
- Skilled in developing category strategies and managing complex sourcing processes.
- A strong communicator and influencer, able to build relationships with senior stakeholders.
- Commercially aware, with excellent analytical, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
- Proactive and self-sufficient, with a continuous improvement mindset.
Essential:
- Recognised procurement qualification (e.g., CIPS or equivalent).
- Experience in construction, utilities, or public sector procurement.
Desirable:
- Knowledge of NEC forms of contract.
- Advanced MS Excel and PowerPoint skills.
- Bachelor's degree in business, finance, engineering, or related discipline (or equivalent experience).
Additional information
- Hybrid working: 2 days in the office
- Travel: Occasional site visits in the Southern Water region.
- Flexible options: Job share or compressed hours considered.
What's in it for you?
- Exposure to high-value contracts and strategic projects.
- Opportunity to influence procurement for one of the UK's largest infrastructure investment programmes.
- Competitive salary and benefits, plus career development opportunities.
Category & Sourcing Manager employer: Adecco
Contact Detail:
Adecco Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Category & Sourcing Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and don’t be shy about letting people know you’re on the hunt for a Category & Sourcing Manager role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on an opportunity!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its projects. Familiarise yourself with their procurement strategies and think about how your experience aligns with their goals. This will help you stand out as a candidate who’s genuinely interested in making an impact.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! As a Category & Sourcing Manager, you’ll need to demonstrate your ability to influence and build relationships. Role-play with a friend or mentor to get comfortable discussing your achievements and how you can drive cost reduction initiatives.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and take the initiative to connect directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Category & Sourcing Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Category & Sourcing Manager role. Highlight your experience in category management and procurement, especially in the public sector or construction industry. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how you can contribute to our mission of building a greener future. Keep it concise but impactful – we love a good story!
Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your experience, focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your skills in developing category strategies and managing sourcing processes. Numbers and results speak volumes, so don’t hold back on the details!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application directly and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Adecco
✨Know Your Category Strategies
Make sure you brush up on category management principles and how they apply to the water and wastewater sectors. Be ready to discuss specific strategies you've implemented in the past and how they align with procurement regulations like PA23.
✨Engage Stakeholders Effectively
Prepare examples of how you've successfully engaged with stakeholders in previous roles. Highlight your communication skills and how you've built relationships to understand requirements and deliver effective solutions.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Be prepared to demonstrate your analytical abilities, especially in cost reduction initiatives. Bring examples of how you've used data to drive decisions and improve procurement processes, as this will resonate well with their focus on total cost of ownership.
✨Highlight Continuous Improvement Mindset
Discuss your approach to continuous improvement and innovation in category strategies. Share specific instances where you've introduced best practices that led to measurable outcomes, showing that you're proactive and self-sufficient.
