SAP Ariba Specialist

Company description: Water Utility Company based in Yorkshire region of England.

We offer a competitive salary, depending on experience (£42,944 - £53,680). 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 SAP Ariba Specialist progression plan. 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays plus 2 extra wellness days! 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: This role will initially be based in Bradford but we're moving our office to Leeds Valley Park in summer 2026, so you'll be based there in the future - Hybrid Working (1 office day a week Bradford/Leeds). Work type: Permanent. 37 hours per week, Monday to Friday.

We have an exciting opportunity for a SAP Ariba Specialist to join the Finance team at Yorkshire Water and be a part of helping Yorkshire Water to provide the best service to 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.

The Finance team are a key part of how we plan to meet the changing expectations of customers and regulators. Our Finance Systems Team sits within our Operational Finance function as part of the wider Group Financial Control department. In close coordination with the Operational Finance Systems Manager, the role holder will plan, design, and deploy technology updates, business process improvements and associated change management in order that the Procure to Pay processes are aligned to the SAP Ariba Solutions Road Map and current regulatory obligations.

As our SAP Ariba Specialist you will:

• Act as the change lead within the Finance Department for the SAP Ariba solution, to embed sustainable change and drive adoption of solutions.
• Provide innovative and simple solutions to the business that deliver Procure to Pay efficiency in the short, medium, and long term.
• Engage with relevant TEC representatives to ensure alignment between the SAP Ariba strategy and the wider Kelda Group technology strategy.
• Establish strategic relationships with key business stakeholders and SAP Ariba to deliver sustainable improvements in Source to Contract and Procure to Pay projects.
• Identify and implement improvements to current system processes, focusing on efficiency and business need.
• Respond to system errors and rapidly resolve to minimise business impact.
• Be a subject matter expert able to answer SAP Ariba queries from a range of business areas and external partners.
• Maintain system data and update as required.
• Provide regular reports and analysis of business behaviours on the Ariba platform.
• Deliver targeted training to ensure best practice is followed.

What skills & qualifications you will need:

• The role holder must be a subject matter expert in SAP Ariba and have both a functional and working knowledge of the system.
• Experienced with SAP Ariba (different modules) including Ariba Sourcing (Guided Sourcing), Contract, SLP, Buying (Guided Buying), Business Network and Commerce Automation.
• Influencing Others: An inspiring individual who enables others to perform, coupled with the ability to engage and influence a broad range of internal and external stakeholders up to Director level.
• Communication: Strong written and verbal communication skills, coupled with an ability to utilise a variety of communication styles & tools to deliver a desired outcome. A proven ability to translate and implement detailed technical requirements into commercial policy and standards.
• Change Management: Experience in delivering change across an organisation with SAP Ariba and SAP ECC/S4 HANA.
• Analytical & Strategic Thinking: Ability to analyse complex data and develop associated policies to mitigate risk and deliver value over the long term.
• Commercial Acumen: Commercially focused with a proven track record of delivering value and process efficiency.

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 developing the functional systems supporting Procure to Pay activities 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.

Advert close date: 16th August. 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.

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.

Kelda Group reserve the right to close this position before the published closing date, should the need occur. We therefore advise that you complete and submit your application as soon as possible. No agencies please.