At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead energy procurement strategies and manage supplier relationships for a sustainable future.
- Company: Join Severn Trent, a leader in the utilities sector with a commitment to innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy 28 days holiday, annual bonuses, and a top pension scheme.
- Other info: Opportunities for professional development and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on energy sustainability while advancing your career.
- Qualifications: Strong background in procurement and excellent stakeholder management skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
Within our Procurement team, we have an opportunity for a Senior Category Manager – Energy to lead the commercial, risk management and contract management strategy across Severn Trent’s growing energy portfolio. Energy is our second‑largest area of external spend, making this a high‑profile role with significant accountability and impact. The role involves managing energy cost, risk and supplier performance, supporting the renewables portfolio, and engaging in demand management and flexibility markets.
Responsibilities
- Strategically manage the Energy purchasing category, driving improvements in commercial and contract performance while actively managing market, regulatory and supply‑chain risk.
- Lead strategic sourcing activities and regulated tender processes across the Energy category to establish a sustainable, competitive and compliant supply chain.
- Identify and deliver category value opportunities, including cost savings, risk reduction and performance improvements to support Severn Trent’s net‑zero, operational resilience and affordability ambitions.
- Collaborate closely with senior stakeholders across Energy, Finance, Legal and Operations, providing commercial insight, shaping contracting models and managing supplier relationships.
- Embed ESG requirements into sourcing strategies, tenders and contracts, driving improvements in carbon reduction, ethical compliance, responsible sourcing and resilience.
- Co‑achieve commercial capability of the Procurement team by coaching and supporting Buyers and Category Managers.
Qualifications and Experience
- Strong commercial background in a regulated or utilities environment, with experience in modern purchasing processes and end‑to‑end category and contract management.
- Proven ability to develop and articulate category strategies and manage supplier engagements.
- Professional qualification such as CIPS is advantageous.
- Excellent communication, influencing and stakeholder management skills.
Benefits
- 28 days holiday plus bank holidays (with the option to purchase up to five days per year).
- Annual bonus scheme (subject to eligibility).
- Leading pension scheme with matched contributions up to 15%.
- Sharesave scheme – discounted purchase of Severn Trent Plc shares.
- Support for CIPS study courses.
- Dedicated training and development through our Academy.
- Electric vehicle charging scheme and retail offers.
- Family‑friendly policies.
- Two paid volunteering days per year.
Senior Category Manager employer: Severn Trent
Severn Trent is an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture that prioritises employee well-being and development. With opportunities for growth within the water industry and a commitment to community engagement in the Edgbaston area, employees can take pride in their contributions while enjoying a stable work-life balance. The company also provides competitive benefits and a collaborative environment, making it a rewarding place to build a career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Category Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its energy portfolio. Understand their challenges and think about how your skills can help them achieve their net-zero ambitions. Show them you’re not just another candidate!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to articulate your experience in managing supplier relationships and driving commercial performance. Highlight specific examples that demonstrate your ability to deliver category value opportunities.
✨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 engaged with our brand.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Category Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Category Manager role. Highlight your experience in energy procurement, risk management, and supplier performance. We want to see how your background aligns 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 the energy sector and how you can contribute to Severn Trent's goals. Let us know what makes you the perfect fit for this high-profile role.
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Quantify your successes in previous roles, especially those related to cost savings and performance improvements. We love numbers that tell a story!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smooth application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and keep track of it. Plus, you’ll get all the latest updates directly from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Severn Trent
✨Know Your Energy Stuff
Make sure you brush up on the latest trends and regulations in the energy sector. Understand Severn Trent’s energy portfolio and be ready to discuss how you can drive improvements in commercial and contract performance.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Mindset
Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed supplier relationships and developed category strategies in the past. Highlight your experience with risk management and how it can benefit Severn Trent's ambitions for net-zero and operational resilience.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about how you would collaborate with senior stakeholders across various departments. Be ready to discuss your approach to providing commercial insight and shaping contracting models, as this will be key in your role.
✨Emphasise Your Coaching Skills
Since part of the role involves supporting and coaching Buyers and Category Managers, prepare to talk about your mentoring experiences. Share specific instances where you've helped others develop their skills in procurement or category management.
