Supplier Development Specialist in Leeds

Company description: Water Utility Company based in Yorkshire region of England.

We offer a competitive salary, depending on experience £50,663 - £63,329 (band 4B).

• 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 Supplier Development Specialist progression plan
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays plus 2 extra wellness days!
• 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: We are planning for this role to be based in our Leeds Valley Park office from end of Summer 2026 (any changes to this schedule may result in the role being based in Bradford in the short term). Hybrid Working (2 days office a week).

Work type: Permanent. 37 hours per week, Monday to Friday.

We have an exciting opportunity for a Supplier Development Specialist to join the Commercial Services team at Yorkshire Water and be a part of helping Yorkshire Water to provide the best service to our customers.

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 are a key part of how we plan to meet the changing expectations of customers and regulators.

The Supplier Development Specialist plays a key role in enhancing Yorkshire Water's supply chain capability and performance by designing and delivering supplier development programmes, supporting both internal and external maturity assessments, and driving sustainable improvements in supplier performance across quality, delivery and sustainability measures. The role is also instrumental in embedding a culture of continuous improvement and commercial excellence, acting as a catalyst for behavioural and cultural change by promoting best practice in supplier engagement, collaboration and commercial maturity across the organisation.

Where you fit in: As our Supplier Development Specialist you will:

• Design and deliver supplier development programmes, including lean methodologies and capability-building initiatives, to enhance supplier performance and capability.
• Partner with strategic suppliers to identify improvement opportunities and drive measurable gains across quality, delivery, cost, sustainability and long-term value.
• Lead continuous improvement activities and monitor supplier performance to ensure alignment with Yorkshire Water's objectives and supply chain strategy.
• Support and facilitate supplier and internal maturity assessments, analysing results to identify capability gaps and implement targeted development plans.
• Develop and maintain assessment tools, frameworks and reporting mechanisms to measure performance, track maturity progression and monitor outcomes.
• Provide coaching, training and workshop facilitation to internal stakeholders and suppliers, embedding best practice in supplier management and development.
• Act as a change agent, driving a culture of collaboration, accountability and continuous improvement while supporting wider organisational change initiatives.
• Build strong relationships across Commercial, Procurement, Operations and Strategy teams, promoting responsible sourcing, innovation, sustainability and social value throughout the supply chain.

What skills & qualifications you will need:

• Strong understanding of Supplier Relationship Management (SRM), supplier development best practice, and commercial, procurement, and contract management principles.
• Experience designing and delivering capability-building programmes, supplier development initiatives, and maturity assessments that drive measurable performance improvements.
• Knowledge of ESG, sustainability, social value, and responsible sourcing practices within complex supply chains.
• Proven expertise in performance management, lean principles, and continuous improvement methodologies such as Lean and Six Sigma.
• Excellent coaching, facilitation, change management, and communication skills, with the ability to engage and influence stakeholders at all levels.
• Strong analytical capabilities, able to interpret data and insights to identify opportunities and implement effective improvement actions.
• Collaborative, proactive, and results-driven approach, with resilience and adaptability to work effectively in complex and changing environments.
• Committed to outstanding safety, innovation, and continuous improvement, with the drive, commercial awareness, and sound judgement to deliver long-term value and performance.

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 as a Supplier Development Specialist 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.

Advert closing date 18th August.

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.

No agencies please.