Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage supplier relationships and ensure effective contract governance for Southern Water.
- Company: Join a leading water utility committed to sustainability and collaboration.
- Benefits: Up to ÂŁ48,000 salary, hybrid work, and competitive benefits.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by enhancing supplier partnerships and driving performance.
- Qualifications: Experience in supplier relationship management and strong communication skills required.
- Other info: Diverse workplace with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 48000 ÂŁ per year.
Location: Falmer (hybrid – typically 2–3 days per week in the office)
Contract Type: Permanent
Hours: Full time
Salary: Up to ÂŁ48,000 per annum + competitive benefits
About The Role
We’re looking for a Supplier Engagement & Contract Management Manager to play a pivotal role in how Southern Water works with its strategic capital supply chain. This highly collaborative, relationship‑led role is suited to someone with experience in supplier relationship management, account management or stakeholder‑facing commercial roles who enjoys acting as the bridge between internal teams and external partners. You’ll be responsible for nurturing long‑term supplier relationships, leading governance and escalation activities, and ensuring contractual frameworks are applied effectively to protect both performance and value – without owning day‑to‑day contract negotiations. Working closely with Procurement, Capital Delivery and Commercial teams, you’ll help ensure strong, transparent supplier partnerships that support Southern Water’s operational and strategic ambitions.
What You Will Be Responsible For
- Supplier & Stakeholder Engagement
- Develop and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with strategic suppliers, acting as a trusted point of contact and escalation.
- Build an effective interface between internal stakeholders and suppliers to enable joint value creation.
- Manage internal stakeholder expectations and facilitate constructive, transparent engagement.
- Act as a bridge between Southern Water and suppliers – ensuring supplier perspectives are heard while also holding internal teams accountable.
- Travel periodically to supplier sites to strengthen relationships and support effective partnership working.
- Ensure adherence to established contract and supplier management processes.
- Maintain oversight of all contracts within your portfolio, ensuring plans are in place for extensions, renewals or close‑out.
- Manage contract variations, ensuring rigour and consistency in any changes to commercial or operational terms.
- Act as a point of escalation for contractual or performance‑related issues, supporting dispute resolution where required.
- Protect Southern Water’s commercial and contractual position while minimising contractual risk.
- Understand and apply commercial contract mechanisms and levers.
- Aggregate supplier performance data and provide clear, structured feedback to suppliers and stakeholders.
- Work collaboratively with suppliers, internal stakeholders and procurement colleagues to develop and deliver performance improvement plans.
- Support Procurement Category Managers with sourcing and supplier governance activities as required.
Essential What you’ll bring to the role
- Proven experience in supplier relationship management, account management or similar stakeholder‑facing roles within a complex environment.
- Strong commercial acumen with the ability to understand and manage contractual frameworks.
- Excellent communication, influencing and negotiation skills, with confidence engaging stakeholders at all levels.
- Strong analytical and problem‑solving capability, particularly in resolving escalated or complex issues.
- Ability to work autonomously, manage your own workload and balance competing priorities.
Desirable
- Experience working in infrastructure, capital delivery, utilities or a regulated environment.
- Exposure to procurement or category management environments.
- Experience operating in a role blending relationship manager and commercial governance responsibilities.
What This Role Delivers
The Supplier Engagement & Contract Management Manager plays a crucial role in maximising value from Southern Water’s supplier relationships. Through effective governance, commercial oversight and strong collaboration, you’ll help drive improved performance, reduce risk and strengthen long‑term supplier partnerships that directly support Southern Water’s strategic and operational goals.
Our commitment to diversity
We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and identities. If you need reasonable adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process, please let us know.
Additional Information
Appointment to this role is subject to satisfactory pre‑employment checks, including right to work, DBS and security vetting.
Supplier Engagement & Contract Management Manager in Brighton employer: Southern Water
Contact Detail:
Southern Water Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Supplier Engagement & Contract Management Manager in Brighton
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join relevant groups on LinkedIn, and don’t be shy to reach out to current employees at Southern Water. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research Southern Water’s values and recent projects. Think about how your experience in supplier relationship management aligns with their goals. We want you to show them you’re not just a fit for the role, but a perfect match for their team culture.
✨Tip Number 3
Follow up after your interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. It shows your enthusiasm for the role and keeps you fresh in their minds. Plus, it’s a great chance to reiterate why you’d be an awesome addition to their team.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, you’ll find all the latest roles and updates there, so keep checking back for new opportunities that suit your skills!
We think you need these skills to ace Supplier Engagement & Contract Management Manager in Brighton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Supplier Engagement & Contract Management Manager. Highlight your experience in supplier relationship management and any relevant commercial roles. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've built strong supplier relationships or managed contracts effectively. Let us know why you’re excited about joining Southern Water!
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since this role involves a lot of stakeholder engagement, make sure your application reflects your excellent communication skills. Whether it's through your CV, cover letter, or any additional documents, we want to see how you can influence and engage with different teams.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our company culture there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Southern Water
✨Know Your Suppliers
Before the interview, research Southern Water's key suppliers and their roles. Understanding their business models and how they align with Southern Water’s goals will help you demonstrate your knowledge and show that you're ready to engage effectively.
✨Showcase Your Relationship Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed supplier relationships in the past. Highlight specific instances where your communication and negotiation skills led to positive outcomes, as this role is all about building strong partnerships.
✨Understand Contract Management
Brush up on your knowledge of contract management processes and frameworks. Be ready to discuss how you've ensured compliance and managed variations in previous roles, as this will be crucial for the position.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving abilities. Think through potential challenges you might face in this role and how you would approach them, especially regarding stakeholder engagement and performance management.