At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive process improvements and enhance commercial capabilities 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: Hybrid working model with excellent growth opportunities in a supportive team.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on communities while developing your career in a vital industry.
- Qualifications: Experience in commercial management and a passion for continuous improvement.
The predicted salary is between 50663 - 63229 £ per year.
Company description: Water Utility Company based in Yorkshire region of England.
Job description: Commercial Specialist Functional Improvement
Hello! Thanks for stopping by. Let us tell you about all the great reasons to join us here at Yorkshire Water:
- 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 to 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, 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 mean 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.
Commercial Specialist - Functional Improvement in Cornwall employer: Yorkshire Water
At Yorkshire Water, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package that includes an attractive pension scheme and generous annual leave. Our commitment to employee development is evident through tailored progression plans and a supportive work culture that values continuous improvement and collaboration. With our office relocating to the vibrant Leeds Valley Park in 2026 and a flexible hybrid working model, we provide a dynamic environment where you can thrive while making a meaningful impact on the communities we serve.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Commercial Specialist - Functional Improvement in Cornwall
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the water industry, especially those at Yorkshire Water. LinkedIn is your best mate here – connect, engage, and don’t be shy to ask for a chat about their experiences.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by knowing your stuff! Research Yorkshire Water’s recent projects and challenges in the water sector. This shows you’re genuinely interested and ready to contribute to their mission.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Get a friend or family member to do a mock interview with you. Focus on articulating how your skills align with the Commercial Specialist role and how you can drive functional improvement.
✨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 keen on joining the team at Yorkshire Water and ready to make a difference.
We think you need these skills to ace Commercial Specialist - Functional Improvement in Cornwall
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Commercial Specialist role. Highlight relevant experience and skills that align with our focus on commercial capability, operating models, and continuous improvement. We want to see how you can contribute to our mission!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about the water industry and how your background makes you a great fit for our team. Be sure to mention specific projects or achievements that demonstrate your expertise.
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In your application, don’t forget to showcase your problem-solving skills. We’re looking for someone who can analyse processes and identify inefficiencies. Share examples of how you've improved processes in previous roles to show us what you can bring to the table.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smooth application process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to the right people. Plus, you’ll find all the details about the role and our company culture there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Yorkshire Water
✨Know Your Stuff
Before the interview, dive deep into Yorkshire Water's mission and values. Understand their role in the community and how they manage water services. This knowledge will help you connect your skills as a Commercial Specialist to their goals, showing that you're not just looking for a job, but genuinely interested in contributing to their mission.
✨Showcase Your Process Improvement Skills
Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've identified inefficiencies and implemented improvements in previous roles. Prepare a couple of case studies that highlight your ability to analyse processes and drive enhancements, as this is crucial for the role. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the company's current challenges in commercial management and process improvement. This shows your proactive mindset and genuine interest in the role. For instance, ask about their approach to embedding a culture of continuous improvement or how they measure success in their commercial services.
✨Demonstrate Team Collaboration
Since the role involves working closely with various teams, be prepared to discuss your experience in collaborative environments. Share examples of how you've worked with cross-functional teams to achieve common goals, and emphasise your ability to build relationships and support team development.
