At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic IT procurement, manage high-value spend, and drive contractor performance.
- Company: Join a leading utilities company with a focus on innovation and collaboration.
- Benefits: Enjoy 26 days annual leave, competitive pension, and wellness discounts.
- Other info: Flexible working arrangements and excellent career growth opportunities await you.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in IT procurement while developing your career in a dynamic environment.
- 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
Strategic IT Procurement Lead – £80M+ Spend in Cheshire, Warrington employer: United Utilities
Join a forward-thinking organisation in Windermere that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth. With a competitive salary, generous annual leave, and a robust pension scheme, we foster a supportive work culture that values innovation and collaboration. Our commitment to employee development is evident through comprehensive healthcare plans, performance-related bonuses, and flexible working arrangements, making us an exceptional employer for those seeking a meaningful career in IT procurement.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Strategic IT Procurement Lead – £80M+ Spend 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 dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their values and how they align with your own. This will help you tailor your answers and show them you're the perfect fit for the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Do mock interviews with friends or family to get comfortable with common questions. The more you practice, the more confident you'll feel when it’s time to shine.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interview! A quick thank-you email can go a long way in showing your enthusiasm for the role. Plus, it keeps you on their radar as they make their decision.
We think you need these skills to ace Strategic IT Procurement Lead – £80M+ Spend in Cheshire, Warrington
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Strategic IT Procurement Lead role. Highlight your experience in managing high spend categories and your ability to build influential relationships with stakeholders. 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 procurement and how you've driven savings in previous positions. Let us know what makes you tick!
Showcase Your Technical Skills:Don’t forget to highlight your technical skills relevant to the IT procurement space. Mention your knowledge of vendor evaluation, IT governance, and any project management experience. We love seeing candidates who understand the ins and outs of the industry!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at United Utilities
✨Know Your Numbers
For a role like Strategic IT Procurement Lead, it's crucial to be familiar with the financial aspects of procurement. Brush up on your knowledge of managing large budgets, specifically around the £80M mark, and be ready to discuss how you've achieved cost efficiencies in previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Stakeholder Skills
This position requires strong stakeholder management. Prepare examples of how you've built influential relationships in past roles. Think about specific instances where your collaboration led to successful outcomes, especially in complex environments.
✨Demonstrate Market Insight
Be prepared to discuss current trends in the IT procurement landscape, particularly within the Utilities sector. Research recent market dynamics and be ready to share your insights on how these could impact the company's procurement strategies.
✨Highlight Your Leadership Experience
As you'll be leading a team, it's essential to convey your leadership style. Prepare to discuss how you've motivated teams in the past, managed performance, and implemented succession plans. Use specific examples to illustrate your approach to coaching and talent management.
