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- Tasks: Shape procurement strategies and lead sourcing for major projects in water services.
- Company: Join Southern Water, a leader in sustainable infrastructure investment.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous pension, flexible working, and career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on the future of water services while tackling climate change.
- Qualifications: Experience in category management and strong communication skills required.
- Other info: Hybrid working with occasional site visits and a supportive team culture.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 77000 £ per year.
Ready to make an impact? Join Southern Water at a pivotal time as we deliver AMP8 – our largest investment programme ever; transforming our infrastructure over the next five years. As a Category & Sourcing Manager, you’ll have unparalleled exposure to high-value contracts and strategic projects, shaping procurement strategies that influence the future of water and wastewater services. This is a unique opportunity to work with a collaborative team, enjoy autonomy and variety, and play a critical role in driving innovation and value across one of the UK’s most ambitious programmes. There has never been a better time to join our organisation as we build towards a greener future, tackling climate change, minimising our environmental impact and reducing our carbon footprint!
What you’ll be doing
- Develop and implement category strategies for delivery partners and major projects, ensuring alignment with procurement regulations (PA23) and business objectives.
- Lead sourcing and contracting activities, including formal tendering processes, mini competitions, and framework agreements.
- Engage with stakeholders to understand requirements and deliver solutions that optimise total cost of ownership.
- Drive cost reduction initiatives through standardisation, demand aggregation, and minimising tail spend.
- Introduce best practices and innovation into category strategies, ensuring continuous improvement.
- Monitor performance and compliance with policies, processes, and governance frameworks.
What we’re looking for
- Experienced in category management, public sector, or construction industry procurement (UCR or PA23 knowledge desirable).
- Skilled in developing category strategies and managing complex sourcing processes.
- A strong communicator and influencer, able to build relationships with senior stakeholders.
- Commercially aware, with excellent analytical, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
- Proactive and self-sufficient, with a continuous improvement mindset.
Essential:
- Recognised procurement qualification (e.g., CIPS or equivalent).
- Experience in construction, utilities, or public sector procurement.
Desirable:
- Knowledge of NEC forms of contract.
- Advanced MS Excel and PowerPoint skills.
- Bachelor’s degree in business, finance, engineering, or related discipline (or equivalent experience).
Additional information
- Hybrid working: 2 days in the office.
- Travel: Occasional site visits in the Southern Water region.
- Flexible options: Job share or compressed hours considered.
What’s in it for you?
- Exposure to high-value contracts and strategic projects.
- Opportunity to influence procurement for one of the UK’s largest infrastructure investment programmes.
- Competitive salary and benefits, plus career development opportunities.
This role will be full time Monday to Friday with a hybrid approach to working between our Falmer office and home. We are offering a salary of up to £55,000 per annum depending on skills and experience as well as other benefits including:
- Generous pension up to 11% company contribution
- 25 days annual leave
- Life assurance equal to 4x salary
- Salary sacrifice electric car scheme (after 6 months service)
- Health Cash Plan
- Full funded eye tests
- Two paid volunteering days a year
- Occupational health service
- Discounts with over 800 popular retailers
- Digital GP service
- Study support may be available for job-related qualifications
- Competitive maternity leave and flexible return to work options
- Cycle to work scheme
Join our Procurement team and see how far your career could progress with a company committed to career progression, training and development opportunities, our customers and the environment.
Does this opportunity excite you but you’re not 100% sure if you meet all the requirements for the role? Or are you concerned that ‘normal’ office hours aren’t possible given your personal circumstances? Whilst we can’t accommodate every flexible working request, we’ll try to find a practical solution. So why not engage with us and find out more about this role?
If this role isn’t quite what you’re looking for but are keen to be contacted about opportunities at Southern Water, you can register your details here: Introduce Yourself (myworkdaysite.com)
Our customers are at the heart of everything we do, because delivering water for life is our core purpose. To achieve this, we need 24/7 support in place to resolve incidents quickly and efficiently. All our employees understand the importance of out-of-hours incident support – because when problems appear, fixing them is our top priority. That’s why our people join together and support when and however needed to make sure our customers get the service they deserve.
Joining the Southern Water family means you’ll become part of our incident support team. During your interview, your manager will speak to you about any incident support rotas that apply to your position.
Privacy Statement: Please note: If you are an existing Southern Water employee, you will need to confirm within your application that your Manager is aware of your application. All applicants must be eligible to live and work in the UK. You will need to provide evidence of eligibility (e.g. a passport or long birth certificate and proof of NI) and current proof of address (dated within the last 3 months), will be required as part of the recruitment process. If you do not meet these criteria, your application will not be considered.
Category & Sourcing Manager in Salisbury employer: Southern Water
Contact Detail:
Southern Water Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Category & Sourcing Manager in Salisbury
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with potential colleagues 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 projects. Understand their values and how they align with your skills. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in making an impact at Southern Water.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! As a Category & Sourcing Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to influence and negotiate effectively. Role-play common scenarios with a friend to build your confidence before the real deal.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining our team and contributing to our mission of delivering water for life.
We think you need these skills to ace Category & Sourcing Manager in Salisbury
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Category & Sourcing Manager role. Highlight your experience in category management and procurement strategies that align with what we’re looking for.
Showcase Your Skills: Don’t forget to emphasise your analytical, negotiation, and problem-solving skills. We want to see how you can drive cost reduction initiatives and introduce best practices into our procurement processes.
Be Authentic: Let your personality shine through in your application. We value strong communicators who can build relationships with stakeholders, so share examples of how you've influenced others in your previous roles.
Apply Through Our Website: For the best chance of success, make sure to apply directly through our website. It’s the easiest way for us to receive your application and get you on the path to joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Southern Water
✨Know Your Procurement Regulations
Familiarise yourself with procurement regulations like PA23, as they are crucial for the Category & Sourcing Manager role. Be prepared to discuss how you’ve applied these regulations in past experiences and how they align with Southern Water's objectives.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking
Prepare examples of how you've developed and implemented category strategies in previous roles. Highlight your ability to engage with stakeholders and deliver solutions that optimise total cost of ownership, as this will demonstrate your strategic mindset.
✨Demonstrate Your Communication Skills
As a strong communicator and influencer, be ready to share instances where you've built relationships with senior stakeholders. Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently, as effective communication is key in this role.
✨Highlight Continuous Improvement Initiatives
Discuss any cost reduction initiatives or best practices you've introduced in your previous positions. Show how you’ve driven innovation and continuous improvement, which is essential for contributing to Southern Water’s ambitious programmes.
