At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead IT procurement strategies and manage supplier relationships for cost efficiency.
- Company: Join a leading utilities company with a focus on innovation and teamwork.
- Benefits: Enjoy 26 days annual leave, competitive pension, and wellness discounts.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for career growth and professional development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in IT procurement while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Degree educated with experience in strategic sourcing and stakeholder management.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Salary - Competitive
Work Type - Onsite - 3 days office / flexible arrangements available
Job Location - WINDERMERE - LINGLEY MERE, LINGLEY MERE, LINGLEY GREEN AVENUE, GREAT SANKEY, WARRINGTON, WA5 3LP
Role Type - Permanent
Employment Type - Full Time
Working Hours - 37.0 Hours per Week
Benefits:
- A generous annual leave package of 26 days, which increases to 30 days after four years of service (increases one day per year), in addition to 8 bank holidays
- A competitive pension scheme with up to 14% employer contribution, 21% combined, and life cover
- Car cash allowance - £5,000
- Up to 20% performance-related bonus scheme, as well as recognition awards for outstanding achievements
- A comprehensive healthcare plan through our company-funded scheme
- MyGymDiscounts - gym and wellness benefit that offers up to 25% off on gym memberships and digital fitness subscriptions
- Best Doctors
- Salary Finance
- Wealth at Work courses
- Deals and discounts
- EVolve Car Scheme
- Employee Assistance Plan
- Mental health first aiders
- ShareBuy
- MORE Choices flexible benefits
- Enhanced parental leave schemes
Job Purpose:
The Commercial Business Manager - IT Procurement is responsible for strategically managing the sourcing and procurement of IT products and services to ensure cost efficiency, compliance, and alignment with business objectives. This role bridges the needs of the Technology Services team with commercial strategy, driving contractor performance and procurement delivery.
What you'll be doing:
- Leadership of a specific spend category team, comprising a market management, sourcing delivery, and supplier collaboration capability.
- Responsible for building influential relationships with relevant business stakeholders through the implementation of the full business partnering model.
- Lead the development and implementation of highly complex, business critical and high spend (greater than £150M) market strategies, influencing annual spend of more than £80M per annum.
- Oversight of the team in their delivery of market, sourcing and supplier collaboration led value.
- Responsible for facilitating the delivery of multi‑million pound savings and defined benefits, working in collaboration with all relevant stakeholders, approved by Finance, and applied to budgets, where applicable.
- Lead the annual business planning process for the specific spend category and relevant stakeholders.
- Lead regular external market benchmark assessments, reflected in the integrated market strategies, to include competitor market watch assessments, market trend analysis, market dynamics and innovation.
- Active management of business compliance to the Procurement Policy specific to spend category, whilst ensuring workload management & prioritisation and agile working methodologies are adopted for qualified opportunities.
- Recognised throughout UU and the external market for their market, sourcing and supplier collaboration management expertise.
- Bring innovation, insights, and ideas back into UU to solve real business problems and to support the delivery and success of the business.
- Lead a team of motivated and talented commercial professionals, fostering teamwork, coaching, challenging, promoting talent management, with a succession plan implemented.
Technical Skills & Experience:
- Extensive experience in a reputable organisation, or experience working in an equivalent role.
- Preferably degree educated, with a relevant post‑graduate qualification (e.g. CIPS, RICS, MBA, MSC).
- Significant experience of leading business critical spend categories, sourcing strategies, and strategic supplier relationships.
- Proven senior level stakeholder management and business partnering skillset.
- A demonstrable level of line management experience.
- Proven level of negotiation and dispute resolution skill set.
- Politically savvy, with the ability to use exemplary direct and indirect influencing strategies.
- Demonstrable level of problem‑solving experience in large, complex organisations.
- Experience with cross‑functional collaborative working methods.
- Detailed knowledge of the Utilities market sector.
- Project management experience would be an advantage.
- Knowledge of vendor evaluation, selection, and management to engage with external technology partners effectively.
- Extensive knowledge of Information Technology industry regulations and data privacy laws to ensure technology practices align with legal requirements.
- Understanding of the Commercial role in IT governance, IT strategy and Enterprise architecture.
- Proficient understanding of IT delivery methodologies such as agile project management and DevOps.
- Proficient understanding of IT service management, including incident and problem management tools and support processes.
Essential Qualifications:
- Degree educated, with a relevant post‑graduate qualification (e.g. CIPS, RICS, MBA, MSC).
Desirable:
- Specific knowledge of Technology use in Utilities or Energy Sector. E.g. Water Network Management Systems, Geospatial, Satellite.
- Knowledge of OT and its impact on the Technology Services Estate.
Locations
Commercial Business Manager - IT Procurement in Cheshire, Warrington employer: United Utilities
As a Commercial Business Manager - IT Procurement at our Windermere location, you will thrive in a dynamic work culture that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth. With generous benefits including a competitive pension scheme, extensive annual leave, and a focus on mental health support, we foster an environment where innovation and collaboration are encouraged. Join us to lead a talented team in driving strategic procurement initiatives while enjoying the unique advantages of working in a picturesque setting that promotes work-life balance.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Commercial Business Manager - IT Procurement in Cheshire, Warrington
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, or even hit up LinkedIn. The more people you know, the better your chances of landing that Commercial Business Manager role.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research the company and its procurement strategies. Be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs, especially around managing high spend categories and supplier relationships. Show them you mean business!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups. After an interview, drop a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation. It keeps you on their radar and shows your enthusiasm for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got all the latest job openings, and applying directly can give you a leg up. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of our team at StudySmarter.
We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Business Manager - IT Procurement in Cheshire, Warrington
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Commercial Business Manager role. Highlight your experience in IT procurement and any relevant qualifications, like CIPS or an MBA. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
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 your achievements in managing high spend categories and building stakeholder relationships.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:Since this role involves leading a team, make sure to highlight your leadership experience. Talk about how you've motivated teams, managed projects, and delivered results in previous roles. We love seeing strong leaders!
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at United Utilities
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of IT procurement and the utilities market sector. Familiarise yourself with key terms, trends, and regulations that are relevant to the role. This will not only help you answer questions confidently but also show your genuine interest in the position.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Commercial Business Manager, you'll be leading a team. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed teams in the past, focusing on your ability to foster collaboration and drive performance. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.
✨Build Relationships
This role requires building influential relationships with stakeholders. Think about how you can demonstrate your stakeholder management skills during the interview. Be ready to discuss specific instances where you've successfully navigated complex relationships or resolved disputes.
✨Prepare Questions
Interviews are a two-way street! Prepare insightful questions about the company's procurement strategies, team dynamics, and future projects. This shows you're not just interested in the job, but also in how you can contribute to the company's success.
