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- Tasks: Lead procurement programmes and manage a dynamic team to drive excellence.
- Company: Join Southern Water, transforming the water industry with innovation and sustainability.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, flexible working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a pivotal role during a time of significant change.
- Qualifications: Strong procurement background and proven leadership skills required.
- Other info: Embrace a diverse and inclusive workplace where your unique skills are valued.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 ÂŁ per year.
Southern Water’s Procurement Excellence & Sustainability discipline delivers effective governance, reporting, analytics, insights, sustainability, capability development and compliance to support the efficient and ongoing enhancement of the Procurement Function’s operation.
Manage a team to deliver tight management across company programmes that require Procurement’s involvement, and Procurement’s own internal programmes and projects. Provide ongoing, meaningful communications to the business. Develop a robust, value‑creating Business Engagement model with stakeholders. Oversee budgetary control (CAPEX).
This role suits someone highly organised, able to manage multiple projects and their ambiguities, and a highly effective communicator. You’ll drive procurement excellence across the Procurement function and wider Southern Water business—leading the planning and delivery of Procurement’s programmes/projects and internal change, owning company‑wide communication and business engagement activity, and ensuring key deliverables for transformation programmes requiring Procurement involvement. You will also run the governance cadence that keeps decision‑making crisp and accountable—bringing together programme delivery, PMO, change management and communications so that Procurement Excellence is visible, measurable and sustained across Southern Water.
What You Will Be Responsible For
- Lead planning and delivery of Procurement’s programmes/projects and internal change, ensuring outcomes are visible and measurable.
- Own all business‑wide Procurement communications and the stakeholder engagement model; line‑manage the Communications Lead.
- Provide tight oversight of programme governance (including PMO cadence) and keep decision‑making crisp and accountable.
- Maintain CAPEX budget oversight and financial controls for Procurement programmes.
- Coordinate Procurement’s contribution to company‑wide transformation initiatives.
- Ensure Procurement engagement and communications align with governance and PA23 regulations.
- Coach, develop and line‑manage team members.
Additional Requirements Specific To The Role
- Hybrid working: 2–3 days per week in the Durrington office. Travel: Minimal, ad‑hoc travel to meet stakeholders.
Essential
- Degree (or equivalent experience) in a business/management discipline.
- CIPS (or equivalent) strongly preferred; strong Procurement background.
- Proven people leadership and team management experience.
- Programme/PMO/change management literacy; able to manage ambiguity across multiple concurrent initiatives.
- Stakeholder engagement excellence; confident communicator across senior leadership.
- Budget management experience.
Desirable
- Working knowledge of PA23 and regulated governance frameworks (utilities, banking or similar).
- Experience delivering procurement transformation and enterprise‑wide communications.
- Familiarity with P2P/Source‑to‑Pay solutions (e.g., SourcePay) and cross‑functional programme delivery.
About Southern Water
Southern Water is at the forefront of transforming Britain’s water industry, investing significantly to enhance resilience, sustainability, and service excellence. With £7.8bn planned investment for 2025–30, this is an unparalleled opportunity to join a business committed to delivering a generational shift in the way water services are managed. You will be joining at a time of significant change, working alongside a highly skilled leadership team with a clear vision for the future. We offer an environment where senior professionals can make a meaningful impact, influence major strategic decisions, and drive long‑term value creation.
Our commitment to inclusion
At Southern Water, we believe diverse perspectives drive innovation. If you’re passionate about making a positive impact and think you can bring value to our team, we’d love to hear from you—even if you don’t tick every box. Your unique skills and experiences could be exactly what we need.
Our Commitment to Diversity
We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, identities, and experiences. We do not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, or any other protected characteristic. If you need reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.
Senior Procurement Programme Manager in Worthing employer: Southern Water
Contact Detail:
Southern Water Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Procurement Programme Manager in Worthing
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company inside out! Research Southern Water’s values, recent projects, and their approach to sustainability. This will help you tailor your conversations and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current employees on LinkedIn or attend industry events. Building relationships can give you insider info and might even lead to a referral—making your application stand out!
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for the interview by practising common questions related to procurement and project management. Think about how your experience aligns with the role and be ready to share specific examples that highlight your skills.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email reiterating your interest in the role can leave a lasting impression. Plus, it shows you’re proactive and keen to join the Southern Water team.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Procurement Programme Manager in Worthing
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Procurement Programme Manager role. Highlight your relevant experience in procurement, project management, and team leadership. 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 passionate about procurement and how you can contribute to Southern Water's mission. Be sure to mention any specific experiences that relate to the job description.
Showcase Your Communication Skills: As a highly effective communicator, it's important to demonstrate this in your application. Use clear and concise language, and make sure to highlight any experience you have in stakeholder engagement and business communications.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for the best chance of being noticed. It’s straightforward and ensures your application goes directly to us. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to follow our process!
How to prepare for a job interview at Southern Water
✨Know Your Procurement Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your procurement knowledge, especially around CAPEX budget management and governance frameworks. Southern Water is looking for someone who can drive procurement excellence, so be ready to discuss your experience with procurement transformation and how you've managed multiple projects in the past.
✨Show Off Your Communication Skills
As a Senior Procurement Programme Manager, you'll need to communicate effectively with stakeholders at all levels. Prepare examples of how you've successfully engaged with senior leadership and managed team communications. Highlight your ability to keep decision-making crisp and accountable.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Experience
Southern Water values strong people leadership. Be prepared to share specific instances where you've coached or developed team members. Discuss your approach to managing ambiguity and how you've led teams through change management processes.
✨Align with Their Values
Southern Water is committed to sustainability and diversity. Familiarise yourself with their mission and values, and think about how your own experiences align with them. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to their goal of transforming the water industry while promoting inclusion and innovation.
