Procurement Manager

We’ve got an exciting opportunity for a Procurement Manager to join Thames Water and play a key role in delivering major strategic regional water resource solutions (SROs). These pioneering projects are vital to safeguarding long‑term water supply for our customers, protecting the environment, and shaping the future of water resources across the South East. You’ll be part of a team working on some of the most complex and high‑profile schemes in the industry, many delivered in collaboration with multiple water companies.

As our Procurement Manager, you’ll support the Procurement & Supplier Management Team on major capital infrastructure projects. You’ll be responsible for:

• Developing sourcing strategies for large‑scale capital projects and assets.
• Creating innovative sourcing approaches that deliver best value and challenge existing ways of working.
• Engaging with the external market to build strategic supplier partnerships.
• Leading multi‑disciplinary teams through procurement activity, ensuring stakeholder alignment.
• Embedding sustainability, innovation, collaboration, health & safety and risk management into all procurement initiatives.
• Ensuring procurement processes comply with internal policies and the Procurement Act 2023.
• Delivering procurement activity at pace across multiple high‑value, complex projects.
• Driving competitive procurement to secure cost savings and operational efficiencies.
• Supporting forecasting and financial planning linked to procurement activity.
• Producing compelling documentation and presenting effectively at all levels internally and externally.
• Leading complex negotiations and achieving successful, value‑driven outcomes.
• Challenging and improving procurement processes as the regulatory environment evolves.

The essential criteria to help you succeed in this role are:

• Demonstrable experience in construction, commercial, procurement or contract management roles.
• Experience sourcing design, professional services and infrastructure delivery contracts.
• Strong understanding of standard industry contract forms (particularly NEC4; knowledge of IChemE and/or FIDIC beneficial).
• Ability to translate engineering needs into commercial drivers, incentives and contractual arrangements.
• Understanding of the implications of the Procurement Act 2023.
• Strong stakeholder engagement experience within complex, multi‑site environments.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Confident working independently, making informed decisions and managing competing priorities.
• Keen analytical mindset with strong Excel and PowerPoint skills.
• Proactive, resilient and a role‑model for collaborative team behaviours.

Nice‑to‑haves that would make you stand out:

• Understanding of Ofwat’s regulatory models and commercial drivers.
• Experience in strategic sourcing within multi‑stakeholder and multi‑site environments (3–5 years).
• Degree‑level commercial or procurement education (or equivalent), e.g., RICS, IACCM, CIPS.

What’s in it for you?

• Competitive salary up to £60,000 depending on experience.
• Annual Leave: 26 days holiday per year, increasing to 30 with the length of service (plus bank holidays).
• Car Allowance.
• Annual Bonus.
• Generous Pension Scheme through AON.
• Private Medical Health Care.
• Access to lots of benefits to help you take care of you and your family’s health and wellbeing, and your finances – from annual health MOTs and access to physiotherapy and counselling, to Cycle to Work schemes, shopping vouchers and life assurance.

Who are we? We’re the UK’s largest water and wastewater company, with more than 16 million customers relying on us every day to supply water for their taps and toilets. We want to build a better future for all, helping our customers, communities, people, and the planet to thrive.

Working at Thames Water is a unique, rewarding, and diverse place to work, where every day you can make a difference, yet no day is the same. As part of our family, you’ll enjoy meaningful career opportunities, flexible working arrangements and excellent benefits.

If you’re looking for a sustainable and successful career where you can make a daily difference to millions of people’s lives while helping to protect the world of water for future generations, we’ll be here to support you every step of the way. Together, we can build a better future for our customers, our region, and our planet.

Diversity and inclusion: We’re committed to being a great, diverse, and inclusive place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and want to ensure you feel supported throughout the recruitment process. If you need any adjustments, whether that’s extra time, accessible formats, or anything else, just let us know. We’re here to help and support.

Crisis and commitment to customers: When a crisis happens, we all rally around to support our customers. As part of Team Thames, you’ll have the opportunity to sign up to support our customers on the frontline as an ambassador. Full training will be given for what is undoubtedly an incredibly rewarding experience.