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- Tasks: Dive into finance and infrastructure, ensuring project costs are managed effectively.
- Company: Join South East Water, a reputable company committed to growth and sustainability.
- Benefits: Enjoy 5 weeks holiday, flexible leave, health cash plan, and a great pension scheme.
- Why this job: Kickstart your career in a stable industry with real responsibility and impact.
- Qualifications: GCSEs A-C and a willingness to learn; no prior experience needed.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for personal growth and formal qualifications.
The predicted salary is between 21000 - 26000 £ per year.
Summary: At South East Water, we’re looking for someone who is ready to dive into the world of infrastructure and finance. This isn’t just a desk job - it’s a role that bridges the gap between our office in Snodland and our live sites across our three regions. You’ll be the person ensuring our projects are delivered fairly, accurately, and to the highest standards, protecting the financial integrity of the company while helping us provide a top-tier service to our customers.
Our cost controller team deals with third party developer funds that are used to install mains in our water network. The team negotiates how much the job will cost before starting and manages the costs throughout the project. They also look after scheduler rates for the contractors who carry out the work, ensuring they are paid the right amount.
If you are looking for your first big break into a stable industry with a reputable company that values growth, this role offers a clear path forward. You’ll start with intensive shadowing to learn the ropes of cost control, eventually transitioning into an independent monitor who provides critical assurance over the quality and timeliness of external projects. It’s a position of real responsibility where you’ll act as a critical control point, making sure every penny spent on our network delivers true value.
You don’t need any prior financial or water industry experience - we will teach you everything you need to know to be successful in this role. We ask that you come with a willingness to learn and develop your skills, as this position will enable you to unlock a fulfilling career in the water industry. You will also be given the opportunity to undertake qualifications as part of a training plan created to enable your success.
Main Responsibilities
- Shadow and Learn: Work closely with our experienced Cost Controllers to understand our unique control processes and internal systems.
- Monitor External Work: Independently visit sites to ensure contractors and developers are sticking to company specifications and high-quality standards.
- Contract Management: Learn to navigate the NEC contract framework, ensuring all parties meet their legal and contractual obligations.
- Cost Control: Meticulously process and approve project costs, negotiating deviations to ensure we achieve true value for money.
- Site Reporting: Provide accurate updates to senior management on site progress, ensuring transparency across the Developer Services Department.
- Field Operations: Take your company van to visit sites across our three regions, even supervising mains shuts as you progress.
- Health and Safety: Adhering to all Health and Safety standards.
You’ll need:
- Education: GCSE grades A-C (or equivalent).
- Communication Skills: The confidence to professionally confront issues and negotiate with contractors and developers.
- The Right Drive: An enthusiastic, 'willing to learn' attitude with a genuine desire to build a long-term career in the water industry.
- Mobility: A full, clean driving licence, as you will be travelling across our regions for site visits.
- Commitment to Growth: A readiness to undertake formal qualifications and meet milestones within a comprehensive training plan.
We want to be the water company people want to be supplied by and want to work for. We know the communities we serve are diverse. We recognise creativity comes from diversity not similarity. That’s why we are enthusiastic about creating inclusion across age, race, gender, ethnicity, religion and identity. You will experience our dedication to equal opportunities and fair treatment for all: through your recruitment, employment and career progression with South East Water.
Benefits package:
- Excellent Stakeholder pension scheme, up to 10% employer contribution.
- 5 weeks holiday plus bank holidays per annum, increasing to 6 weeks with length of service.
- Flexible annual leave policy to buy or sell holiday leave.
- Paid volunteering days.
- Cycle to work scheme.
- Health cash plan.
- Life assurance.
- Wellbeing related benefits.
To apply for this position, please submit your CV on our career’s website. It is necessary for you to have the legal right to work in the UK when you begin employment with South East Water. Additionally, as part of the employment offer, you will need to pass background, identity, and employment referencing checks.
If this sounds like the opportunity you’ve been looking for, apply now!
South East Water kindly asks that recruitment agencies refrain from submitting CVs to our employees or associates without explicit invitation from our HR Resourcing team. CVs sent on a speculative basis will not be acknowledged and will not assume any responsibility for fees or commissions in the event that we hire a candidate who applied directly or subsequently introduced by an instructed agency.
Compensation package: £26,347
Join our team: Be you, belong and valued. Grow a career with a meaningful purpose. Introduce yourself to our recruiters and we’ll get in touch if there’s a role that seems like a good match. Grow a career with a meaningful purpose.
- Come to work to be safe, valued, and trusted.
- We’ll encourage you to create and pursue new opportunities for personal growth.
- A place to be the real you, build deeper connections and enjoy a sense of belonging.
- Be invested in helping us to create a sustainable water supply for now, and in the future.
Trainee Cost Controller in Snodland employer: South East Water Limited
Contact Detail:
South East Water Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Trainee Cost Controller in Snodland
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Before your interview, do a bit of research on South East Water. Understand their values, projects, and what makes them tick. This will help you tailor your answers and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of the team.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice makes perfect! Run through common interview questions with a friend or in front of the mirror. Focus on how your willingness to learn and grow aligns with the role of Trainee Cost Controller. Confidence is key!
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your communication skills! During the interview, be clear and concise when discussing your experiences. Remember, this role involves negotiating and communicating with contractors, so demonstrating your ability to articulate your thoughts is crucial.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to ask questions! At the end of your interview, have a couple of thoughtful questions ready about the role or the company culture. This shows you're engaged and eager to learn more about your potential future at South East Water.
We think you need these skills to ace Trainee Cost Controller in Snodland
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Trainee Cost Controller role. Highlight any relevant coursework or projects that showcase your willingness to learn and grow in the water industry.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Use your cover letter to tell us why you're excited about this opportunity. Share your enthusiasm for the water industry and how you plan to contribute to our mission at South East Water.
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since you'll be negotiating with contractors and developers, it's crucial to demonstrate your communication skills. Use clear and concise language in your application to show us you can handle professional conversations.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to submit your application through our careers website. This ensures your application is seen by the right people and gives you the best chance of landing an interview with us!
How to prepare for a job interview at South East Water Limited
✨Know Your Role
Before the interview, make sure you understand the key responsibilities of a Trainee Cost Controller. Familiarise yourself with cost control processes and the NEC contract framework. This will help you speak confidently about how you can contribute to the team.
✨Show Your Willingness to Learn
Since this role is all about growth and learning, be prepared to discuss your enthusiasm for developing new skills. Share examples of times when you've taken the initiative to learn something new, whether in school or previous jobs.
✨Demonstrate Communication Skills
As you'll be negotiating with contractors and developers, it's crucial to showcase your communication skills. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently, and think of scenarios where you've successfully resolved conflicts or negotiated outcomes.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, have a few thoughtful questions ready. Inquire about the training plan, opportunities for advancement, or how the team measures success. This shows your genuine interest in the role and the company.