At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage contracts and engage with suppliers to maximise value for Thames Water.
- Company: Join the UK's largest water and wastewater company, making a real difference.
- Benefits: Competitive pay, hybrid working, and opportunities for career growth.
- Other info: Temporary role with potential for permanent placement; apply quickly!
- Why this job: Be part of a team that impacts millions while protecting our planet's water resources.
- Qualifications: Experience in contract management and strong relationship-building skills required.
The Contracts Manager is responsible for supporting contract management & administration, stakeholder management, supplier engagement and category development activities to maximise value and outcomes for Thames Water, balancing commercial risk and value opportunities.
What you’ll be doing as a Contracts Manager
- Contract Management & Administration and Category Development: The ability to support the Category process for the allocated categories of spend. Administer the operation of allocated agreements, including keeping systems and guidance documents up to date and call-offs from these awards. Engage proactively with internal stakeholders to shape category approach, business needs, spend and suppliers. Support the identification of market insights, trends, opportunities, and risks.
- Supplier Management & Stakeholder Management: Support, and lead where required, on supplier engagement on a particular contract, ensuring agreed value is being delivered from the contract. Ensures Thames interests are best represented. Work with the Supplier Relationship Manager to liaise with the appropriate teams to execute any contract changes or performance escalations/disputes. Build relationships with key internal stakeholders to obtain support and engagement in key initiatives. Advise the business on contract and supplier issues and questions, requesting support from the Supplier Relationship Manager where required.
This is a temporary role for 6-9 months with an opportunity to go permanent subject to approval, and successful candidates may be considered for any new role.
What you should bring to the role
- Experience of contract management & administration in a multi stakeholder environment
- Experience in project and performance management
- Be able to support negotiation and dispute resolution
- A good networker with the ability to build productive relationships across all areas of the team and collaborate with colleagues to build flexible solutions which work for them and the organisation as a whole.
- Ability to proactively seek out opportunities to deliver sustained improvements in performance
Extra qualities that would be a great fit for our team:
- Chartered Institute Purchasing and Supply – MCIPS (or studying towards); and/or Degree educated or equivalent.
What’s in it for you?
- Hourly Pay rate: £25-£29 per hour
- Location: Hybrid - Clear Water Court Reading
- Length of assignment: 26 weeks
- Required Start date: ASAP
- Hours: 36
Please note you will be on assignment at Thames Water via Pertemps.
Thames Water is a unique, rewarding, and diverse place to work, where every day you can make a difference, yet no day is the same. As part of our family, you’ll enjoy meaningful career opportunities, flexible working arrangements and excellent benefits.
If you’re looking for a sustainable and successful career where you can make a daily difference to millions of people’s lives while helping to protect the world of water for future generations, we’ll be here to support you every step of the way.
Together, we can build a better future for our customers, our region, and our planet.
Why choose us?
We’re committed to being a great, diverse, and inclusive place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and want to ensure you feel supported throughout the recruitment process. If you need any adjustments, whether that’s extra time, accessible formats, or anything else just let us know, we’re here to help and support.
When a crisis happens, we all rally around to support our customers. As part of Team Thames, you’ll have the opportunity to sign up to support our customers on the frontline as an ambassador. Full training will be given for what is undoubtedly an incredibly rewarding experience.
It’s also a great opportunity to learn more about our business and meet colleagues.
Disclaimer: due to the high volume of applications we receive, we may close the advert earlier than the advertised date, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
Contracts Manager in Reading employer: Kemp
The London Borough of Hillingdon offers a dynamic and supportive work environment for Trading Standards Officers, where you can make a real difference in protecting consumers and supporting local businesses. With a strong emphasis on professional development, employees benefit from hybrid working arrangements, collaborative partnerships with key enforcement agencies, and the opportunity to lead impactful investigations. Join a high-performing team dedicated to delivering exceptional regulatory services while enjoying the vibrant community of Uxbridge.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Contracts Manager in Reading
✨Get Involved in Local Procurement Meetups
Join local procurement and purchasing groups on platforms like Meetup or Eventbrite. These gatherings are great for networking with industry professionals, sharing insights, and potentially hearing about temporary roles that might not be widely advertised!
✨Seasonal Hiring Cycles are Your Friend!
Keep an eye on seasonal trends in procurement, as many companies ramp up hiring during certain times of the year – especially around end-of-financial-year periods when budgets are being utilised. Be proactive and reach out to companies directly during these windows.
✨Leverage Online Platforms for Temporary Roles
Don’t forget to browse specific job boards dedicated to temporary positions, such as Reed or Indeed. You can filter your search for procurement roles and set up alerts for when new jobs pop up, so you can apply immediately!
✨Showcase Your Skills on Professional Networks
Create short case studies or posts on LinkedIn showcasing your procurement experience or interesting projects you've tackled. This not only builds your visibility but can also attract recruiters looking for temporary talent like you!
We think you need these skills to ace Contracts Manager in Reading
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Relevant Experience:When applying for a temporary role in procurement-purchasing, it's crucial to highlight any relevant experience you have. Mention specific tasks like negotiating contracts, managing supplier relationships, or optimising inventory. This will show Kemp that you can hit the ground running!
Keep it Concise and Impactful:For a temporary role, we recommend keeping your CV and cover letter concise. Focus on key achievements that showcase your procurement skills and any immediate impact you’ve made in past roles. Use bullet points for clarity—this way, Kemp can quickly grasp your capabilities!
Include Relevant Certifications:If you’ve got any certifications that are relevant to procurement, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply), don’t forget to mention them! This adds extra weight to your application and shows Kemp that you're serious about your professional development.
Emphasise Flexibility and Availability:Since this is a temporary position, make sure to emphasise your availability and flexibility in your cover letter. Let Kemp know when you can start and that you’re ready to adapt to their needs, making your application even more appealing!
How to prepare for a job interview at Kemp
✨Know Your Procurement Basics
Brush up on key procurement concepts and terms, like 'total cost of ownership' and 'supplier relationships'. We want to impress them with our knowledge! Being able to talk fluently about relevant techniques and tools specific to the procurement field will definitely lend credibility.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
In a purchasing role, you might get thrown some real-world scenarios to assess how you’d handle supplier negotiations or cost-saving strategies. Be ready to demonstrate your problem-solving skills! Practising how you'd tackle these situations in advance will help us shine during the interview.
✨Highlight Your Flexibility and Adaptability
Since it’s a temporary role, emphasise how you can quickly adapt to new processes and environments. Share examples of past experiences where you’ve tackled new challenges with ease, showing they can rely on us to hit the ground running and contribute immediately!
✨Show Off Your Tech Savvy
Being well-versed in procurement software like SAP or Coupa can set us apart from other candidates. If you've got experience with these tools, be sure to mention it! Having a handle on data analysis and reporting will also demonstrate our capability to leverage technology effectively in procurement.
