Who are we?
Thames Water is the UK’s largest water and wastewater company. We make a daily difference to our 15 million customers by supplying 2.6 billion litres of water through 32,000 km of pipes, keeping taps flowing and toilets flushing.
At Thames Water, every one of our actions, big and small, matters every day. Water is essential to life, so our business is always open.
What makes this role unique?
We have an exciting requirement for a Procurement Manager to join Thames Water to support the development and delivery of our Strategic Resource Options (SROs). This role provides an opportunity to participate in projects which are deemed to be the leading edge for the water industry and are critical to ensuring the long-term availability of water supplies for our customers.
Ofwat has allocated up to £469 million for water companies to investigate and develop multiple integrated SROs during 2020-25. The funding will enable companies to develop solutions on behalf of customers that are ‘construction ready’ for the 2025-2030 period, and that protect and enhance the environment and benefit wider society. Thames Water is engaged in five schemes, four of which are to be managed jointly between multiple water companies. The SROs are a key input into the regional Water Resources South East (WRSE) and Water Resources Management Plan (WRMP24) investment programs.
Additional Information on SROs: Click Here
What you will be doing?
Reporting to the Capital Procurement & Supplier Management Lead, this role is responsible for developing and managing multiple sourcing initiatives that deliver the best value to Thames Water. Accountable for establishing effective working relationships with both key stakeholders and the supply market whilst demonstrating Thames Water values and behaviours.
You will guide the supply chain sourcing process for your projects, working within a supportive and passionate departmental culture. This will help ensure on-target delivery of our SROs by sourcing either works or professional services from the supply chain. The £multi-billion program Thames Water needs to develop and deliver, will secure water supplies for our customers for many decades across our operating area and beyond.
Key accountabilities include
Procurement
- Conduct sourcing strategy development for specific projects as allocated by the Capital Procurement Lead, in line with agreed business objectives. Looking to identify compelling and innovative sourcing strategies which test current ways of working and deliver the best value to Thames Water.
- Project management and prioritisation of a number of sourcing initiatives effectively through agile project delivery and problem-solving skills
- Steering a multi-disciplinary team through the procurement process with full customer engagement and following Thames Water sourcing methodology
Stakeholder Management
- Building deep and trusting relationships with key stakeholders both internally and externally (supply chain) with an ability to engage and influence at senior levels
Process & Compliance
- Ensuring that at all times that utilities procurement regulations and rules are observed during strategic sourcing initiatives
- Creating compelling, well-structured, accurate reports. Documents, presentations and recommendations to effectively deliver to all levels of the business (both internally and externally)
Continuous Improvement
- Support the development of best practices across the Commercial lifecycle; ensuring the Thames Water process is regularly reviewed and updated
- Shape and challenge business requirements utilising market and supplier insight
- Ability to challenge, review and improve existing (or new) procurement processes as Thames Water adapt to the changing regulatory environment (for example Direct Procurement for Customers DPC)
Health & Safety
- Champion Health, Safety and well-being in the organisation
What should you bring to the role?
Essential Experience
- Experience in strategic procurement in a multi-stakeholder environment and working within multi-disciplinary teams
- Relevant transferrable business and/or supply chain knowledge
- Track record in delivering against stretching targets
- Excellent proven commercial and contractual acumen
- Solid negotiation, influencing and resolution skills
- Outstanding communication skills and customer service ethic
- Self-starter – resilient and tenacious under pressure and willingness to develop skills and experience
Desired Qualifications/Skills
- Working towards or have a Chartered Institute Purchasing and Supply – MCIPS qualification
- Degree educated or equivalent
- Have a working knowledge of construction Forms of Contract
What’s in it for you?
We’re proud of the positive ways of working we’ve adopted during the pandemic, creating a more flexible and dynamic environment so all our colleagues can thrive. For our office-based roles, we’re moving to a hybrid approach with various options for working from the home, office and our sites.
Our competitive salary package includes an excellent contributory pension, 26 days holiday per year increasing to 30 with the length of service and a wider benefits scheme including our benefits hub, which is packed full of offers and information to save you money and support your well-being.
Thames Water is a dynamic, rewarding and diverse place to work, with opportunities around every corner. If you join our team, you’ll enjoy a fulfilling career, flexible working arrangements and really great benefits.
We’re also proud to embrace and promote diversity and believe that creating a workforce that reflects the communities we serve will help us to thrive. We encourage applications from everyone and offer extra support for those who need it throughout the recruitment proces
Find out more about working at Thames Water.
We deliver life's essential service so our customers, communities and the environment can thrive. This means, when a crisis happens, we all rally round to support our customers. As part of Team Thames, you’ll have the opportunity to sign up to support our customers on the frontline as an Ambassador. Full training will be given for what is undoubtedly an incredibly rewarding experience. It’s also a great opportunity to learn more about our business, meet colleagues and a earn bit of extra money along the way.
Disclaimer: due to the high volume of applications we receive, we may close a vacancy earlier than the advertised date. This is so we can manage all the applications properly and give candidates a positive experience. Once closed, we can’t consider any further applications, so please submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.