At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a team ensuring safe, high-quality drinking water for millions.
- Company: Join a leading utilities company making a real difference in water quality.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 25 days holiday, pension contributions, and health support.
- Why this job: Make an impact on public health while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Degree in a scientific discipline and experience in the water industry.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for professional growth and collaboration.
The predicted salary is between 42000 - 66000 £ per year.
Salary: To £55,000 depending on experience
Location: Cambridge/Walsall
Travel Required: across both regions
Overview: Looking for a role where your expertise truly makes a difference? As Water Quality Science Manager, you’ll lead a skilled team ensuring millions of people across South Staffs and Cambridge enjoy safe, high‑quality drinking water every day. You’ll combine technical leadership with hands‑on operational oversight, driving compliance, innovation, and resilience across treatment works, reservoirs, and distribution networks.
The Role: This role ensures the delivery of safe, high-quality drinking water across treatment works, storage assets, and distribution networks in both South Staffs and Cambridge. The Water Quality Science Manager provides technical leadership and operational oversight to maintain compliance with regulatory standards and company policies, while driving continuous improvement in resilience, performance, and customer outcomes.
- Ensure continuous compliance with all regulatory and company water quality standards across treatment works, reservoirs, and distribution networks
- Lead, develop, and motivate the water quality team to deliver high performance and professional growth
- Optimise treatment processes, storage facilities, and network water quality controls
- Manage budgets, contracts, and capital projects to achieve value for money and continuous improvement
- Support Drinking Water Safety Plans (DWSPs) by reviewing water quality risks across assets and networks
- Provide clear technical leadership and advice to stakeholders to support operational and strategic decision‑making
- Oversee investigations into water quality events, ensuring timely resolution and prevention of recurrence
- Develop and maintain effective monitoring, reporting, and auditing systems to support data‑driven decisions
- Represent the company with regulators, public health authorities, and industry partners to influence and promote best practice
- Foster collaboration across Operations, Capital Delivery, and Asset Management to improve resilience and customer outcomes
Essential What You’ll Need:
- Graduate/HND in a relevant scientific discipline
- Previous experience in the water industry
- Knowledge of risk assessments and regulatory compliance (particularly DWI)
- Strong management and leadership skills
- Excellent communication skills across all levels
- PC literacy
- Full valid driving licence
- Ability to carry out site audits
Desirable:
- Qualification in a water industry‑related discipline
- Experience of water industry processes from source to tap
- Knowledge of water quality and water fitting regulations
What You’ll Get In Return: A competitive salary plus benefits. 25 days holiday + bank holidays. Company pension with employer contributions. 24‑hour helpline providing free and confidential advice to you and your family on financial, legal, marital, and health matters. Eyecare vouchers – via Specsavers. Employee Assistance Programme (EAP). 24/7 remote GP access.
Seniority level: Mid‑Senior level
Employment type: Full‑time
Job function: Research, Analyst, and Information Technology
Industries: Utilities
Water Quality Science Manager employer: South Staffs Water
Contact Detail:
South Staffs Water Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Water Quality Science Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to industry professionals on LinkedIn or at local events. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that Water Quality Science Manager role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical knowledge and leadership skills. We recommend practising common interview questions related to water quality and compliance. Show them you’re the expert they need!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to showcase your achievements! When discussing your experience, highlight specific projects where you improved water quality or led a successful team. We want to see how you’ve made a difference in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search. Let’s get you that Water Quality Science Manager position!
We think you need these skills to ace Water Quality Science Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Water Quality Science Manager role. Highlight your relevant experience in the water industry and any specific projects that showcase your technical leadership and compliance knowledge.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about ensuring safe drinking water and how your skills align with our mission at StudySmarter. Keep it concise but impactful!
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use quantifiable results where possible, like improvements in water quality or successful project completions, to demonstrate your impact in previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at South Staffs Water
✨Know Your Water Quality Standards
Make sure you brush up on the latest water quality regulations and standards, especially those set by the Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI). Being able to discuss these confidently will show that you're not just familiar with the basics but are also committed to compliance and continuous improvement.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Prepare examples of how you've led teams in the past, particularly in high-pressure situations. Highlight your ability to motivate and develop team members, as this role requires strong management skills. Think about specific instances where your leadership made a tangible difference.
✨Demonstrate Technical Expertise
Be ready to discuss your technical knowledge related to water treatment processes and risk assessments. Prepare to explain how you've optimised treatment processes or managed budgets in previous roles. This will help illustrate your hands-on operational oversight experience.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Think about how you've effectively communicated with various stakeholders in your past roles. Be prepared to share examples of how you've influenced decision-making or collaborated with regulators and public health authorities. This will show your ability to represent the company and promote best practices.