At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead procurement strategies and manage commercial activities for impactful projects.
- Company: Join a leading energy company focused on sustainable growth and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, health perks, and family support.
- Other info: Inclusive workplace with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Shape the future of energy while developing your career in a collaborative environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in procurement, strong negotiation skills, and a degree or equivalent.
The predicted salary is between 68100 - 102100 £ per year.
Base Location: You’ll be expected to spend 50% of your working week in one of the following locations: Havant or London.
Salary: £68,100 - £102,100 + car / car allowance + performance-related bonus + a range of benefits to support your finances, wellbeing and family.
Working Pattern: Permanent | Full Time | Flexible First options available.
The role: As a Procurement & Commercial Manager, you’ll play a pivotal role in shaping the commercial success of significant programmes and operational activities across the business. Working closely with senior stakeholders, suppliers and project teams, you'll lead a collaborative and high-performing team to deliver best-in-class procurement and commercial services, ensuring value, innovation and sustainable outcomes. With safety at the heart of every decision, you'll help create strong partnerships, drive continuous improvement and support the successful delivery of complex projects while balancing commercial excellence, risk management and long-term business objectives.
This is an exciting opportunity to influence the delivery of some of the UK's most significant IT Programmes. You'll join a supportive and inclusive environment where collaboration, continuous improvement and safety are fundamental to everything we do. In return, you'll have the opportunity to develop your career, shape strategic outcomes and make a meaningful impact on the future of the business and the communities we serve.
You will:
- Lead, coach and support a team of procurement and commercial professionals, fostering an inclusive, safety-focused culture where people can develop, thrive and perform at their best.
- Develop and implement procurement and commercial programme strategies that align with business goals, delivering value, reducing total cost of ownership and supporting sustainable growth.
- Partner with internal stakeholders, suppliers and project teams to provide commercial, contractual and supply‑chain expertise throughout programme and contract lifecycles.
- Oversee and perform the key contract management activities, including commercial negotiations, claims resolution, risk management and compliance with governance, regulatory and safety requirements.
- Drive continuous improvement across procurement and commercial processes, identifying opportunities to enhance quality, efficiency, supplier performance and customer service.
You have:
- Significant experience delivering procurement and commercial services within complex, highly regulated or infrastructure-focused environments.
- Strong commercial acumen with proven expertise in contract drafting, negotiation, contract management, governance and claims resolution across large-scale projects.
- A collaborative leadership style, with the ability to build trusted relationships, influence stakeholders and develop high-performing teams.
- Strong analytical and financial skills, with the ability to interpret data, assess commercial risk and support effective decision-making.
- Degree-level qualification (or equivalent experience) alongside membership of, or progression towards, a relevant professional body.
About SSE: SSE’s purpose is to provide energy needed today while building a better world of energy for tomorrow. We do this by developing, building, operating and investing in electricity infrastructure and businesses needed in the energy transition. Our Transforming for Growth investment plan sees us investing £33bn in critical electricity infrastructure across the five years to 2030. Our Procurement & Commercial teams help us get the best service and value from partners, while ensuring suppliers meet compliance, contractual and business obligations.
Flexible Benefits To Fit Your Life: Enjoy discounts on private healthcare and gym memberships. Wellbeing benefits like a free online GP and 24/7 counselling service. Interest-free loans on tech and transport season tickets, or a new bike with our Cycle to Work scheme. As well as generous family entitlements such as maternity and adoption pay, and paternity leave.
Work with an equal opportunity employer: SSE will make any reasonable adjustments you need to ensure that your application and experience with us is positive. Please contact Janet.Gossman@sse.com / 01738 351816 to discuss how we can support you. We’re dedicated to fostering an open and inclusive workplace where people from all backgrounds can thrive. We create equal opportunities for everyone to succeed and especially welcome applications from those who may not be well represented in our workforce or industry.
Procurement & Commercial Manager in Southampton employer: SSE PLC
SSE plc is an exceptional employer that prioritises employee wellbeing and work-life balance, offering flexible working patterns in a dynamic hybrid environment. With a strong commitment to professional development, employees have access to generous benefits and opportunities for growth within the energy sector, making it a rewarding place to advance your career while contributing to impactful energy infrastructure projects.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Procurement & Commercial Manager in Southampton
✨Get Savvy with Industry Perks
Join procurement and purchasing forums or groups where pros hang out, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply). They'll share the inside scoop on job openings that might not show up on traditional job boards!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Consider creating a portfolio that outlines your achievements in procurement, like cost-saving initiatives or supplier management strategies. Having tangible evidence of your skills can really set you apart when applying to companies like SSE PLC.
✨Tap into Your Network
Leverage LinkedIn to connect with professionals in procurement—follow relevant hashtags, join groups, and engage in discussions. This is a great way to get noticed by potential employers before they even post a job!
✨Keep Your Eyes on Job Boards
With full-time positions, timing can be everything. Set alerts on job boards specifically for procurement roles. Don't wait for a job posting to close; apply through our website as soon as you see a fit—being proactive can give you the edge!
We think you need these skills to ace Procurement & Commercial Manager in Southampton
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Procurement Know-How:When you're crafting your CV, make sure to highlight any procurement-specific skills you've got. Talk about your experience with supplier negotiations, cost analysis, or inventory management. If you’ve used software like SAP or Oracle, don’t forget to mention that too – it shows you know your way around the tech side of things!
Quantify Your Achievements:In procurement, numbers matter. Use your CV and cover letter to showcase any quantifiable achievements you've made in reducing costs or improving efficiencies. For example, mentioning that you helped save 20% on purchasing costs last year is way more impressive than just saying you managed the budget!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to SSE PLC:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to SSE PLC. Research the company’s procurement strategy, mention how your skills align with their goals, and share your enthusiasm for contributing to their success. This personal touch can really set you apart from the crowd!
Professional Certs Can Go a Long Way:If you've got any procurement-related certifications, such as CIPS or APICS, make sure they're front and centre on your CV. These qualifications show you're serious about your career in procurement and are committed to continuous learning. It’s a great way to signal your expertise and dedication to potential employers like SSE PLC.
How to prepare for a job interview at SSE PLC
✨Show Off Your Negotiation Skills
In procurement, strong negotiation skills are key. Be ready to share examples of past negotiations where you've successfully saved costs or improved supplier terms. We want to hear how you approached those situations and the strategies you used to achieve positive outcomes!
✨Know Your Tools
Make sure you’re familiar with procurement software and tools commonly used in the industry, such as SAP Ariba or Coupa. Come prepared to discuss any experiences you've had with these tools or similar platforms, as we need someone who can hit the ground running at SSE PLC!
✨Understand Market Trends
As a procurement professional, being aware of market trends can set you apart. Brush up on recent developments in supply chain management or procurement best practices and think about how they could impact your role at SSE PLC. Bringing a current perspective will show your enthusiasm for the industry.
✨Demonstrate Your Team Player Attitude
A full-time position means you'll be working closely with various teams. Be prepared to discuss how you collaborate with others, manage conflicts, and build relationships with stakeholders. Sharing anecdotes about past teamwork experiences will highlight your ability to fit into SSE PLC's culture.
