At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead sourcing processes and collaborate with stakeholders to drive savings and benefits.
- Company: Join United Utilities, a thriving FTSE 100 company committed to sustainability.
- Benefits: Enjoy 26 days annual leave, competitive pension, and wellness discounts.
- Other info: Flexible working options and support for professional development.
- Why this job: Make a positive impact in the North West while growing your career.
- Qualifications: Degree-educated with sourcing experience and strong stakeholder management skills.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
The role:
Are you looking for a rewarding career where you can utilise your sourcing management expertise, and ensure a collaborative approach? Are you a great problem‑solver with experience in large, complex organisations? If yes, then we have a brilliant opportunity for you at United Utilities (UU) as a Sourcing Manager within our Maintenance team, joining our team at our headquarters in Lingley Mere, Warrington, Cheshire.
UU are experiencing a period of growth and transformation, creating several opportunities within our Commercial function to work alongside our largest and most ambitious new projects.
As a Sourcing Manager, you will support and aid the development of the sourcing process for multi‑million‑pound spends. You’ll be responsible for ensuring seamless collaboration and driving significant savings and benefits throughout the contract lifecycle. In joining us, you will have full exposure to the organisation, our major projects and our largest industry partners.
Stakeholder collaboration is vital for this role. You will therefore need to build strong working relationships, manage key internal and external stakeholders effectively and ensure a full business‑partnering model, whilst maximising value, collaborating with other experts and leading initiatives to tackle challenges unique to our industry, contributing to our success and helping us achieve our objectives.
We champion flexible ways of working. In‑person attendance is required three days per week to promote the benefits of face‑to‑face collaboration, alongside flexibility of hours to support work‑life balance. Initially, you may be expected to attend more frequently to familiarise yourselves with the site, the team, and your role.
United Utilities offer dynamic and long‑lasting options that will help you grow professionally and personally and you will have the chance to enhance your skill, knowledge and experience in a supportive and collaborative environment. If you are passionate about making a positive difference for the North West of England and want to join us on our journey of transformation, we would love to hear from you. Apply now and become part of the UU family!
What you’ll be responsible for:
- Sourcing: Develop and undertake the Sourcing process (business requirement through to contract execution) for medium cost and business risk goods or services, influencing annual spend of up to £100M, managing all risk, legislative, and regulatory requirements.
- Collaboration: Working collaboratively with the Market Managers, and relevant stakeholders (at ‘Heads of’ level) to execute integrated market strategies through the development and delivery of a Sourcing pipeline.
- Negotiation: Lead negotiator of significant (multi‑million pound) savings and benefits, working in collaboration with all relevant stakeholders.
- Cost Savings: Challenge demand in the pursuit of enhanced savings delivery, embracing the Market Management demand aggregation of common products and services, as well as delivering cost avoidance benefit.
- Market Awareness: Conduct regular competitor and market watch assessments in delivery of total cost of ownership assessments and different commercial models for sourcing contracts.
What we’re looking for:
To be successful with your application, you’ll need to show that you meet the following essential criteria:
- Degree‑educated with a relevant post‑graduate qualification (e.g., CIPS, RICS, MBA, MSC) OR equivalent knowledge/experience.
- Significant sourcing experience, with a demonstrable track record of savings delivery.
- Proven stakeholder management skillset.
- Knowledge of key sourcing management processes, tools, and methodologies.
- Demonstrable level of negotiation and dispute resolution skill set.
- Demonstrable level of problem‑solving experience.
- Full UK driving licence.
What we offer:
- 26 days annual leave, increasing to 30 days after four years, plus 8 bank holidays
- Competitive pension with up to 14% employer contribution (21% combined) and life cover
- Up to 10.5% performance‑related bonus
- Comprehensive company‑funded healthcare plan
- A strong commitment to flexible and hybrid working
About United Utilities:
United Utilities proudly serves the North West, delivering high‑quality water and wastewater services that support healthier communities, a stronger economy and a greener environment.
We’re ranked #11 in The Inclusive Top 50 UK Employers, and we’re serious about inclusion, wellbeing and creating a workplace where everyone can thrive. Our people are empowered to grow, innovate and make a meaningful difference — not just for our customers, but for the communities we serve.
Sourcing Manager in Warrington employer: United Utilities
United Utilities is an exceptional employer that prioritises the growth and well-being of its employees while delivering essential services to the North West of England. With a strong commitment to diversity, inclusion, and innovation, we offer a supportive work culture that encourages collaboration and professional development. Our competitive benefits package, including generous annual leave, a robust pension scheme, and flexible working arrangements, ensures that our team members can thrive both personally and professionally in a dynamic environment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Sourcing Manager in Warrington
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry on LinkedIn or at local events. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their values and how they align with yours. This will help you stand out as someone who truly fits into their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain why you're the perfect fit for the Sourcing Manager role. Highlight your experience, problem-solving skills, and how you can drive savings and collaboration.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at United Utilities.
We think you need these skills to ace Sourcing Manager in Warrington
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Sourcing Manager role. Highlight your sourcing experience and any relevant qualifications, like CIPS or RICS. 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 this role and how you can contribute to our mission at United Utilities. Keep it engaging and personal – we love to see your personality!
Showcase Your Stakeholder Management Skills:Since collaboration is key for this role, make sure to highlight your experience in managing stakeholders. Share specific examples of how you've built relationships and driven results in previous roles. We want to know how you can bring that to our team!
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, it shows you're keen on joining the UU family. We can't wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at United Utilities
✨Know Your Sourcing Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your sourcing management knowledge. Understand the key processes, tools, and methodologies that are relevant to the role. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully delivered savings in previous positions.
✨Stakeholder Management is Key
Since this role involves a lot of collaboration, think about examples where you've effectively managed stakeholders. Prepare to share specific instances where you built strong relationships and how that led to successful outcomes.
✨Show Off Your Negotiation Skills
Be prepared to talk about your negotiation experiences, especially those involving significant savings. Think of a few examples where you led negotiations and what strategies you used to achieve the best results.
✨Stay Current with Market Trends
Research the latest trends in sourcing and procurement. Being able to discuss current market conditions and competitor strategies will show that you're proactive and knowledgeable, which is crucial for this role.
