At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead process improvements and enhance operational efficiency in a dynamic water utility environment.
- Company: Join Yorkshire Water, a key player in providing essential services to millions.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, generous leave, wellness days, and a fantastic benefits package.
- Other info: Flexible working options available to support your work-life balance.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on communities and the environment while developing your career.
- Qualifications: Experience in capability development or process management is essential.
The predicted salary is between 50663 - 63329 £ per year.
Company description: Water Utility Company based in Yorkshire region of England.
We offer a competitive salary, depending on experience (£50,663 - £63,329).
- Annual incentive related bonus (£1000 maximum bonus opportunity for the performance year)
- Attractive pension scheme (up to 12% company contribution)
- Development opportunities in line with the Commercial Specialist progression plan
- 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays plus an extra wellness day!
- Life assurance cover of 4 times pensionable salary
- A great benefits package: choose from health cash plan scheme, critical illness insurance, dental insurance, life assurance flex and partner cover.
- Retail savings scheme
- Online GP service, cycle to work scheme, gym membership discounts and many more!
Location: This role will initially be based in Bradford but we are moving our office to Leeds Valley Park in summer 2026, so you’ll be based there in the future. There will be hybrid working in place, with an expectation to be in the office for 1-2 days per week.
Work type: Permanent. 37 hours per week, Monday - Friday.
What we do: Everyone has an idea of what a water company does. Here in Yorkshire, we make sure that over 5.4 million people living in the region and the millions of people who visit our region each year can rely on our services, and have clean and safe drinking water on tap and that their wastewater is taken away. But for us, it’s so much more than this. We look after communities, protect the environment, and plan to look after Yorkshire’s water, today, tomorrow 24/7, 365 days a year. We provide essential water and wastewater services to every corner of the Yorkshire region and play a key role in the region’s health, wellbeing, and prosperity.
New environmental legislation, unprecedented levels of investment and changing expectations from customers means that this is an exciting time to discover opportunities within the water industry. Commercial Services plays a critical role in enabling the business to deliver its long-term strategy and maintain financial stability through effective procurement and commercial management. The function works closely with the wider business and supply chain to secure value, manage risk, and ensure robust commercial outcomes. Within Commercial Services, the Commercial Excellence is responsible for leading our Centre of Excellence approach. These roles are responsible for embedding clear standards, improving processes and building sustainable capability across the department, ensuring that what good looks like is well defined, consistently applied and continuously improved.
There are 3 roles available focusing on the below areas:
- Commercial Capability: Focused on strengthening people standards, ensuring the right skills and capacity are in place to elevate performance and support team development.
- Operating Model: Driving enhancements to the operating model and process management systems to improve efficiency and optimise workflow across departments.
- Continuous Improvement: Supporting teams to continuously refine and improve their processes, embedding a culture of ongoing development and higher performance.
Where you fit in:
- Define and maintain clear standards for how Commercial work is performed.
- Design, own or support the department's management system for processes, standards and controls.
- Analyse end to end processes to identify inefficiencies, risks and improvement opportunities.
- Design improved future state processes that are simpler, practical and effective.
- Lead or facilitate process improvement activity across teams.
- Ensure improvements consider people, process, systems and controls holistically.
- Support the transition of improved processes into business as usual ownership.
- Build capability by developing frameworks, guidance, tools and learning materials.
- Support teams to understand and apply standards and improved ways of working.
- Work with leaders to identify capability gaps and development priorities.
What skills & qualifications you will need:
- Strong experience in at least one of: capability development, process management, or continuous improvement.
- Understanding of how governance, people, process and technology interact in operational environments.
- Ability to define standards and embed them across multiple teams.
- Strong analytical and problem solving skills.
- Ability to influence, challenge and support stakeholders without direct authority.
- Experience working across complex, multi-team environments.
- Clear written and verbal communication skills, able to translate concepts into practical guidance.
You will also benefit from having:
- Experience within Commercial, Procurement or other regulated environments.
- Knowledge of continuous improvement or quality management methodologies.
- Experience supporting change initiatives.
- Facilitation or workshop design experience.
- Experience designing or operating management or operating model frameworks.
Although we operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, it’s important to us that we support flexible working patterns and job share options (when we can), to help you make the best of both your work and home life. We know that juggling childcare responsibilities or getting that ideal work/life balance isn’t always easy.
If you’ve got experience in framework management and want to help us deliver great service for our customers whilst looking after the environment, then be sure to apply today to find out what a career with Yorkshire Water can offer you.
If successful for the role, you will be required to undergo pre-employment checks that will include a Basic Disclosure Check, carried out through a Third-Party Company, prior to commencing employment. Depending on the role, you may also be required to go through the security vetting process for either a Counter Terrorist Check or Security Check clearance. All our roles are subject to a medical questionnaire, and further medicals when required. We are committed to removing barriers and ensuring our recruitment process is accessible to everyone. We offer a range of adjustments to make your application experience as comfortable and straightforward as possible. If you have an accessibility need, disability, or condition that requires changes to the recruitment process, please include this information in your application. We will then discuss any reasonable adjustments required.
Kelda Group reserve the right to close this position before the published closing date, should the need occur. We therefore advise that you complete and submit your application as soon as possible. Closing date for this role is the 30th June 2026.
No agencies please.
Commercial Specialist - Functional Improvement in Bodmin employer: Yorkshire Water
Yorkshire Water is an exceptional employer, offering a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package that includes an attractive pension scheme and various health-related perks. With a strong focus on employee development and a supportive work culture, we provide opportunities for growth within the Commercial Specialist progression plan, all while ensuring a healthy work-life balance through flexible working arrangements. As we transition to our new office in Leeds Valley Park, employees will enjoy a modern workspace in a vibrant location, contributing to essential services that benefit millions in the Yorkshire region.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Commercial Specialist - Functional Improvement in Bodmin
✨Dive Into Corporate Strategy Communities
Get yourself involved in online communities or forums focused on corporate strategy. Places like LinkedIn groups or specific Slack channels can hook you up with industry insights, trends, and many potential job leads. Don't hesitate to share your thoughts or ask questions; it’ll boost your visibility!
✨Attend Industry Conferences and Events
Keep an eye out for corporate strategy conferences or networking events in your area (or online!). These gatherings are gold mines for meeting hiring managers and making impactful connections. Plus, having a few good conversations can lead to job referrals at companies like Yorkshire Water!
✨Showcase Your Strategy Skills
Create content that showcases your knowledge of corporate strategy—think reports, blogs, or even video discussions. Sharing these on platforms like LinkedIn or Medium can demonstrate your expertise and make you stand out to employers looking for fresh talent.
✨Apply Directly Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply for the Commercial Specialist - Functional Improvement position at Yorkshire Water via our website! This shows your genuine interest, and who knows, you might just land that interview in a matter of days. Keep your application focused on how you can add value to their strategy team.
We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Specialist - Functional Improvement in Bodmin
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Us Your Strategic Thinking:When crafting your CV and cover letter, highlight your strategic analysis skills. Focus on past experiences where you've effectively assessed market trends or made impactful recommendations. Evidence-based achievements, like improving processes or contributing to significant projects, will help us see your potential for driving corporate strategy at Yorkshire Water.
Tailor Your Narrative:Don’t just send us a generic application! Personalise your cover letter by connecting your experiences and aspirations to Yorkshire Water’s mission and goals. We love seeing candidates who genuinely understand what we do; share how your vision aligns with ours and what you can bring to the table.
Highlight Relevant Academic Credentials:In your CV, make sure to showcase your academic background, especially if you have qualifications in business, economics, or analytics. We appreciate candidates who can back up their skills with relevant degrees or certifications, so don’t be shy about flaunting those achievements!
Utilise Professional Language:While we want you to be yourself, remember that corporate strategy roles demand a level of professionalism in communication. Use clear and concise language in your application materials, ensuring that your ideas come across as well-structured and sophisticated. It’s all about making a great impression right from the written application stage!
How to prepare for a job interview at Yorkshire Water
✨Master the Numbers
Corporate strategy often involves data analysis and financial forecasting. Brush up on your quantitative skills, and be prepared to handle case studies or numerical problems during the interview. We might get questions about how to approach market trends or assess the performance of a hypothetical company — so practice these scenarios!
✨Know Your Frameworks
Familiarity with strategic frameworks like SWOT, PESTLE, or Porter’s Five Forces can set you apart. We should be ready to discuss how we’d apply these tools to real-world business situations — maybe even relating them to Yorkshire Water. This shows we’re not just theory-happy but can articulate our practical application.
✨Engage in Strategic Conversations
In a full-time role like this, it’s crucial to show that we're engaged and informed about current trends in the industry. Keep up with major news and prepare to discuss how recent developments could impact strategic decisions at Yorkshire Water. This will demonstrate our passion and proactive approach to the field.
✨Showcase Relevant Experience
Whether through internships or projects, we should highlight any experience that relates to corporate strategy. Have specific examples ready to talk about how we’ve contributed to strategic growth or improvements. It's about showcasing our unique journey and how it will bring value to Yorkshire Water.