At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage supplier relationships and drive contract performance for impactful projects.
- Company: Welsh Water, a not-for-profit organisation focused on sustainability.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development, and a collaborative culture.
- Other info: Hybrid work model with opportunities for innovation and growth.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in communities and the environment through procurement.
- Qualifications: Degree or equivalent experience in commercial or procurement disciplines.
The predicted salary is between 74700 - 74700 £ per year.
City: Newport
Address: Newport, Wales, GB, NP10 8FZ
Job Requisition Number: 8760
Work Type: Permanent
Job Function: Procurement & Estates
Salary Range: £74,700 per annum (Senior Manager)
Closing Date: 23:59 on 15 July 2026
South East Hub / Hybrid (3 Office Days / Week in Newport)
What you’ll be responsible for
As a Supplier Manager, you will play a pivotal role in shaping how we manage our supply chain and deliver value across major contracts. You’ll take ownership of a significant contract portfolio, ensuring suppliers deliver against performance, cost, and quality expectations – while also driving innovation, sustainability, and continuous improvement.
This is a highly visible role where you’ll work with senior stakeholders and strategic partners, influencing outcomes that directly impact our customers and communities.
- Driving Contract Performance & Value
- Manage a high-value portfolio of contracts, ensuring strong commercial performance and value delivery.
- Lead contract mobilisation, governance, and performance management across the full lifecycle.
- Use data, KPIs, and insights to track performance, identify opportunities, and drive improvements.
- Deliver efficiencies and support cost-saving initiatives through effective contract management.
- Building Strategic Supplier Partnerships
- Develop strong, collaborative relationships with key suppliers.
- Lead supplier governance forums and performance reviews.
- Identify opportunities for innovation, sustainability, and long-term value creation.
- Manage disputes and escalations in a constructive, solution-focused way.
- Oversee contract variations, extensions, and change control.
- Review and influence commercial terms to optimise outcomes and manage risk.
- Ensure compliance with Utilities Contracts Regulations and internal governance.
- Promote ethical, transparent, and sustainable procurement practices.
- Collaborating Across the Business
- Partner with Category Management, Commercial Intelligence, and operational teams.
- Provide expert commercial advice to stakeholders at all levels.
- Support seamless transition from sourcing into operational delivery.
- Embed best practice contract and supplier management approaches.
- Drive innovation and improvement across the supply chain.
- Support capability development and share knowledge across the team.
Make a difference where it matters most
At Welsh Water, we don’t just deliver water – we deliver something essential to life. As a not-for-profit organisation, every pound we make is reinvested back into our services, our communities, and the environment. We’re on an exciting journey as we enter a new investment cycle focused on innovation, digital transformation, and long-term sustainability. Procurement plays a critical role in enabling this – and that’s where you come in.
If you’re passionate about driving value, building meaningful supplier partnerships, and making a real impact through procurement, we’d love to hear from you.
Who you’ll work with
Our Procurement & Commercial Directorate sits at the heart of the organisation, supporting Wales’ largest infrastructure programmes and operational delivery. We operate as one integrated team across:
- Category Management
You will collaborate with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, including:
- Internal
- Executive Team and senior stakeholders.
- Finance, Legal, Compliance, and Operational teams.
- Procurement colleagues across Category Management and Commercial Intelligence.
- External
- Suppliers and contractors.
- Industry regulators and partners.
- Other water companies.
- Technology and market insight providers.
Together, we ensure value for money, manage risk, and deliver responsible, ethical procurement. We are proud to be CIPS Ethical Procurement Certified, and we are committed to sustainability, innovation, and continuous improvement. We work in a hybrid way, with colleagues coming together on site three days a week to collaborate and build strong relationships.
About you
We’re looking for someone who combines strong commercial expertise with a collaborative, forward-thinking mindset.
Qualifications
- Degree level or equivalent appropriate professional body qualification in a commercial or procurement associated discipline.
- Chartered Institute of Purchase and Supply (CIPS) Level 6 (or working towards); OR Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (MRICS); OR approximately 10 years+ experience in commercial construction management.
Experience
- Extensive experience in contract and supply chain management within a complex environment.
- Proven ability to develop and deliver contract management and supplier relationship strategies aligned to business needs, market dynamics, and regulatory requirements.
- Strong experience of supplier relationship management (SRM), driving performance, innovation, and continuous improvement.
- Experience of applying contracting strategies across NEC, JCT, CCS frameworks, and bespoke agreements.
- Ability to influence contract design to improve performance, mitigate risk, and drive commercial value (e.g. outcome-based models).
- Proven track record in managing commercial risk and ensuring compliance with Utilities Contracts Regulations and governance frameworks.
- Experience developing procurement and commercial risk frameworks to support resilience and business continuity.
Knowledge & Skills
- Strong category expertise, including supply chain structures, key suppliers, market trends, and cost drivers.
- Deep understanding of category-specific risks, including supply continuity, price volatility, regulatory change, and contractual exposure.
- Knowledge of innovation trends such as sustainability, digital transformation, and emerging technologies.
- Strong capability in cost modelling and total cost of ownership (TCO).
- Experience using data analytics and predictive modelling to inform category strategies.
- Advanced commercial negotiation and contracting skills for complex, high-value agreements.
- Strong supplier segmentation and relationship management capability.
- Excellent stakeholder engagement and influencing skills across business, finance, and operational teams.
- Strong commercial acumen with the ability to improve performance, deliver sustainable savings, and influence decision‑making.
Why Join Us?
- Purpose-driven work – make a real impact on communities and the environment.
- Not-for-profit model – every decision is about long-term value, not short-term gain.
- Sustainability-focused – play a role in protecting natural resources for future generations.
- Collaborative culture – work with passionate, values-driven colleagues.
- Career development – opportunities to grow, innovate, and lead in your field.
Our Commitment
At Welsh Water, we are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and able to thrive. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and are dedicated to building a diverse and representative workforce.
Ready to make a difference? Apply now and help shape the future of procurement at Welsh Water.
Supplier Manager in Newport employer: Dwr Cymru Welsh Water
Welsh Water is an exceptional employer, offering a purpose-driven work environment where every employee contributes to making a meaningful impact on communities and the environment. With a strong focus on sustainability and innovation, employees enjoy a collaborative culture that fosters professional growth and development, alongside the unique advantage of working in a not-for-profit model that prioritises long-term value over short-term gains. Located in Newport, the hybrid work structure allows for flexibility while ensuring strong team connections through regular in-office collaboration.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Supplier Manager in Newport
✨Get Savvy with Industry Perks
Join procurement and purchasing forums or groups where pros hang out, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply). They'll share the inside scoop on job openings that might not show up on traditional job boards!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Consider creating a portfolio that outlines your achievements in procurement, like cost-saving initiatives or supplier management strategies. Having tangible evidence of your skills can really set you apart when applying to companies like Dwr Cymru Welsh Water.
✨Tap into Your Network
Leverage LinkedIn to connect with professionals in procurement—follow relevant hashtags, join groups, and engage in discussions. This is a great way to get noticed by potential employers before they even post a job!
✨Keep Your Eyes on Job Boards
With full-time positions, timing can be everything. Set alerts on job boards specifically for procurement roles. Don't wait for a job posting to close; apply through our website as soon as you see a fit—being proactive can give you the edge!
We think you need these skills to ace Supplier Manager in Newport
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Procurement Know-How:When you're crafting your CV, make sure to highlight any procurement-specific skills you've got. Talk about your experience with supplier negotiations, cost analysis, or inventory management. If you’ve used software like SAP or Oracle, don’t forget to mention that too – it shows you know your way around the tech side of things!
Quantify Your Achievements:In procurement, numbers matter. Use your CV and cover letter to showcase any quantifiable achievements you've made in reducing costs or improving efficiencies. For example, mentioning that you helped save 20% on purchasing costs last year is way more impressive than just saying you managed the budget!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Dwr Cymru Welsh Water:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to Dwr Cymru Welsh Water. Research the company’s procurement strategy, mention how your skills align with their goals, and share your enthusiasm for contributing to their success. This personal touch can really set you apart from the crowd!
Professional Certs Can Go a Long Way:If you've got any procurement-related certifications, such as CIPS or APICS, make sure they're front and centre on your CV. These qualifications show you're serious about your career in procurement and are committed to continuous learning. It’s a great way to signal your expertise and dedication to potential employers like Dwr Cymru Welsh Water.
How to prepare for a job interview at Dwr Cymru Welsh Water
✨Show Off Your Negotiation Skills
In procurement, strong negotiation skills are key. Be ready to share examples of past negotiations where you've successfully saved costs or improved supplier terms. We want to hear how you approached those situations and the strategies you used to achieve positive outcomes!
✨Know Your Tools
Make sure you’re familiar with procurement software and tools commonly used in the industry, such as SAP Ariba or Coupa. Come prepared to discuss any experiences you've had with these tools or similar platforms, as we need someone who can hit the ground running at Dwr Cymru Welsh Water!
✨Understand Market Trends
As a procurement professional, being aware of market trends can set you apart. Brush up on recent developments in supply chain management or procurement best practices and think about how they could impact your role at Dwr Cymru Welsh Water. Bringing a current perspective will show your enthusiasm for the industry.
✨Demonstrate Your Team Player Attitude
A full-time position means you'll be working closely with various teams. Be prepared to discuss how you collaborate with others, manage conflicts, and build relationships with stakeholders. Sharing anecdotes about past teamwork experiences will highlight your ability to fit into Dwr Cymru Welsh Water's culture.
