About us
United Utilities (UU) is proud to be ranked #11 in The Inclusive Top 50 UK Employers List. We value diversity, inclusion and innovation in our workplace, and we foster a culture where our people can grow, excel, and be themselves. Whether you work with a team that shares your vision or join a network of peers with similar interests, you will find a welcoming and supportive organisation to be part of and to belong to.
Our mission is to deliver high-quality water for a more prosperous, greener and healthier North West of England. We are committed to providing our services in a way that respects the environment, supports the economy, and benefits society. We uphold our ethics, values and business model to fulfil our mission and, by setting clear goals and objectives, we create sustainable long-term value for our colleagues, customers and communities.
Joining us
We've got a lot to offer. You'll join a thriving FTSE 100 company and will enjoy a range of core benefits that reflect your value and value contribution. These include:
- A generous annual leave package of 26 days, which increases to 30 days after four years of service, in addition to 8 bank holidays
- A competitive pension scheme with up to 14% employer contribution, 21% combined, and life cover
- A 10.5% performance-related bonus scheme, as well as recognition awards for outstanding achievements
- A comprehensive healthcare plan through our company-funded scheme
Our projects are designed to be environmentally and socially responsible and will offer you opportunities to learn and grow throughout the project cycle. As part of our commercial team, you will benefit from a range of training and development programs, such as Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS) professional membership/chartered status, leadership coaching, professional accreditation and mentoring. We are here to support you in reaching your full potential and thriving in your career and beyond.
The role
United Utilities (UU) is on the lookout for a Strategic Procurement Manager with a talent for strategic procurement, market analysis, and supplier management. If you're a problem solver who thrives in large, complex organizations, we have an exciting opportunity for you within our Technology team at our Lingley Mere headquarters in Warrington, Cheshire—offering a hybrid work setup.
About the Role: As a Strategic Procurement Manager, you will:
- Develop and implement market strategies for your spend category.
- Conduct thorough market analysis to identify opportunities and gaps.
- Drive change and support the team in adapting to new strategies.
- Lead with a proactive and curious mindset, initiating projects as a self-starter.
- Build a strong working relationship with the Technology department.
Why UU?
- Be part of a transformative period of growth and opportunity.
- Lead market strategy development for high-spend categories in our Commercial function.
- Collaborate on our most ambitious projects, managing suppliers and complex tenders.
- Drive savings and benefits, influencing up to £300m in contracted spend.
Your Impact:
- Forge strong relationships for stakeholder collaboration.
- Contribute to our industry's unique challenges, driving UU's success.
We Offer:
- Exposure to major projects and industry partners.
- Opportunities for professional and personal growth.
- A supportive, collaborative environment to enhance your skills.
- Flexible working arrangements, with a focus on work-life balance.
Key Responsibilities:
- Market Strategy: Craft integrated strategies for medium to high spend categories.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Foster collaborative relationships for successful strategy execution.
- Market Recognition: Provide expert advice and introduce innovative solutions for a competitive edge.
- Industry Analysis: Perform benchmark assessments and trend analysis to inform strategies.
- Leadership: Guide a team of Category Managers, fostering teamwork and maximizing organizational value.
Skills & experience
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 in a similar environment.
- Significant experience of leading business critical spend categories.
- Proven senior level stakeholder management and business partnering skillset.
- Knowledge of key category management processes, tools and methodologies.
- Proven level of negotiation and dispute resolution skill set.
- Demonstrable level of problem-solving experience and in large, complex organisations.
- Experience with cross-functional collaborative working methods.
- People and team management experience.
- Full UK driving license.
If not already held, successful candidates will be supported to undertake the relevant level of study with the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS) if not already held. This will be funded by UU.
Ready to Make a Difference? If you're passionate about contributing to the North West of England and eager to join our journey, apply now and become a valued member of the UU family!