Senior Procurement Specialist in Cambridge

Salary: Up to £64,000 depending on skills and experience

Full time/37 hours per week/permanent

Location: Peterborough and London - Hybrid Working 2-3 days in office weekly with attendance in London as required.

Drive high-impact procurement at the heart of one of the UK's most ambitious infrastructure programmes. We're looking for a Senior Procurement Specialist to play a pivotal role in the successful delivery of the multi-billion-pound Anglian Water Reservoirs Programme, a once-in-a-generation initiative securing long-term water resilience for millions.

In this high-profile role, you'll lead the planning and execution of a complex pipeline of procurement projects, ensuring timely, cost-effective, and compliant outcomes that align with the latest legislation, including the Procurement Act 2023. You'll combine strategic thinking with sharp commercial insight to manage negotiations, build strong supplier and stakeholder relationships, and drive best value for the Programme.

Using your expert knowledge of procurement and category strategy, you'll influence at all levels, both internally and across the supply chain, whilst developing a deep understanding of market dynamics and demand. You'll also help shape real-time project visibility by generating quality data and ensuring systems are accurate and up to date.

As a senior member of the team, you'll mentor and support colleagues across the procurement function, helping to build capability, share knowledge, and embed best practice across the Reservoirs Programme.

What you'll be doing:

• Aligning to the Programmes' overarching procurement and supply chain strategy, you will take ownership of a portfolio of procurement projects within the Reservoirs Programme, driving timely delivery while ensuring value, compliance, and effective risk management.
• Leading supplier selection and commercial negotiations, you'll collaborate closely with internal stakeholders and the Commercial Team to meet project requirements and maintain strong supplier relationships.
• You'll develop deep market and category knowledge to shape procurement strategies that align with programme needs and wider business goals.
• Using data and market insights, you'll identify risks and opportunities, supporting informed decision-making and forecasting.
• Post-award, you'll work with the Commercial Team to monitor contract performance, identify improvement opportunities, and support supplier exit activities where necessary.
• Throughout, you'll ensure all procurement activity adheres to legal, regulatory, and organisational governance standards, maintaining clear and accurate documentation aligned with Anglian Water's processes.

What it takes to be successful:

We're seeking a strategic thinker with a proven track record of delivering procurement strategies that achieve impactful outcomes and align to the programmes strategic objectives within a major infrastructure or large scale capital delivery environment. You'll excel at driving informed decision-making, managing multiple complex projects, and influencing senior stakeholders with clear, confident and proactive communication. Strong negotiation skills and proficiency with Microsoft 365 tools will enable you to build effective relationships and navigate governance frameworks seamlessly.

Skills and qualifications:

• Good knowledge and experience of procuring under the Procurement Act 2023 (or previously PCR2015 /UCR 2016) and other relevant legislation.
• At least 5 years experience working with a major construction or infrastructure project/programme based procurement or commercial function, including experience of working with NEC4.
• CIPS Professional certification to a minimum of level 5 (MCIPS preferred) or equivalent OR Educated to Bachelor's degree level in a procurement, supply chain or commercial related course.
• Established professional (at least 5 years) with extensive commercial acumen experience.
• Substantial experience in project management and project control principles.
• Substantial experience in creating and executing category and procurement strategies.
• Knowledge or experience of working within the Utilities industry is preferred.
• Knowledge or experience of working in a regulated environment is preferred.

As a valued employee you will be entitled to:

• Double-matched pension scheme - maximum 7% employee / 14% employer contribution.
• Additional AVC scheme.
• Personal private health care.
• Annual bonus scheme.
• 26 days leave.