Commercial Sourcing Manager

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.

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. We are here to support you in reaching your full potential and thriving in your career and beyond.

The role

Are you looking for a rewarding career where you can utilise your sourcing management expertise, and ensure a collaborative approach? Are you a great problem solver with experience in large, complex organisations? If yes, then we have a brilliant opportunity for you at United Utilities (UU) as a Sourcing Manager within Maintenance, joining our team at our headquarters in Lingley Mere, Warrington, Cheshire.

As a Sourcing Manager, you will support and aid the development of the sourcing process for multi million pound spends in maintenance, logistics and repair agreements. You’ll be responsible for ensuring seamless collaboration and driving significant savings and benefits throughout the contract lifecycle.

In joining us, you will have full exposure to the organisation, our major projects and our largest industry partners. Stakeholder collaboration is vital for this role. You will therefore need to build strong working relationships, manage key internal and external stakeholders effectively and ensure a full business partnering model, whilst maximising value, collaborating with other experts and leading initiatives to tackle challenges unique to our industry, contributing to our success and helping us achieve our objectives.

Key responsibilities

• Sourcing: Develop and undertake the Sourcing process (business requirement through to contract execution) for medium cost and business risk goods or services, influencing annual spend of up to £100M, managing all risk, legislative, and regulatory requirements.
• Collaboration: Working collaboratively with the Market Managers, and relevant stakeholders (at 'Heads of’ level) to execute integrated market strategies through the development and delivery of a Sourcing pipeline.
• Negotiation: Lead negotiator of significant (multi-million pound) savings and benefits, working in collaboration with all relevant stakeholders.
• Cost Savings: Challenge demand in the pursuit of enhanced savings delivery, embracing the Market Management demand aggregation of common products and services, as well as delivering cost avoidance benefit.
• Market Awareness: Conduct regular competitor and market watch assessments in delivery of total cost of ownership assessments and different commercial models for sourcing contracts.

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.
• Significant sourcing experience, with a demonstrable track record of savings delivery.
• Proven stakeholder management skillset.
• Knowledge of key sourcing management processes, tools, and methodologies.
• Demonstrable level of negotiation and dispute resolution skill set.
• Politically savvy, with the ability to use exemplary direct and indirect influencing strategies.
• Demonstrable level of problem-solving 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). This will be funded by UU.

Other
We believe in empowering you to achieve your aspirations and dreams, both in your work and in your life. To help you achieve your goals, we offer a variety of voluntary benefits that you can select according to your needs and preferences.

• Onsite gym and physio lounge with instructor-led gym classes and dedicated physiotherapist, onsite childcare and nursery, free parking and EV charging points, dedicated multi-faith/prayer rooms and free Warrington bus service for UU colleagues
• MyGymDiscounts - gym and wellness benefit that offers up to 25% off on gym memberships and digital fitness subscriptions.
• Best Doctors
• Salary Finance
• Wealth at Work courses
• Deals and discounts
• EVolve Car Scheme
• Employee Assistance Plan
• Mental health first aiders
• ShareBuy
• MORE Choices flexible benefits
• Enhanced parental leave schemes