Strategic Contracts Manager

Thames Water is thrilled to announce an exceptional opportunity for a Strategic Contracts Manager position with our capital procurement team. In this critical role, you will collaborate with our suppliers to ensure compliance with Thames Water processes while fully utilizing their capabilities. We seek an individual with outstanding engagement skills who can effectively influence and challenge stakeholders, driving optimal commercial outcomes for Thames Water for years to come. Join us in making a meaningful impact.

What you’ll be doing as a Strategic Contracts Manager

• Understand the category and provide leadership and insight for the business on all aspects of supply market dynamics, regulatory and internal frameworks, suppliers, and technical innovations.
• Build supplier awareness, interest and appetite for the capital work pipeline.
• Ensure that the existing contracts are utilised correctly and efficiently, working with the sourcing managers on shortfalls.
• Manage the existing contracts, ensuring compliance with obligations and processes.
• Address escalated issues impacting framework compliance and supplier performance.
• Manage supply chain risks and issues that impact or potentially affect the category.
• Be a key interface with the supplier on a particular contract, delivering the agreed value.
• Promote healthy supplier relationships as the primary point of contact for contract and commercial issues.
• Identify any operational and regulatory risks, escalating as appropriate.
• Operate information systems to the required standard to maintain accurate and secure records.

Based in Hybrid, Clearwater Court, you will be required on-site as part of your role requires you to on average 2-3 days a week.

36 hours a week, Monday to Friday.

This role does require a driver's licence and access to a car.

What you should bring to the role

• Background in contract management in a multi-stakeholder environment, delivering contract or category management services.
• Knowledge of the capital works industry in any sector.
• Knowledge of project and performance management.
• Ability to challenge industry norms and proactively seek out opportunities to deliver sustained improvements in performance.

What’s in it for you?

This role is crucial in building strong relationships with our contractor workforce, empowering them to embody Thames Water values and deliver exceptional service to our customers, communities, and environments.

• Competitive salary from £42,000 to £55,000 per annum.
• Annual Leave - 26 days holiday per year, increasing to 30 with the length of service. (plus bank holidays)
• Access to lots of benefits to help you take care of you and your family’s health and wellbeing, and your finances – from annual health MOTs and access to physiotherapy and counselling, to Cycle to Work schemes, shopping vouchers and life assurance.

Find out more about our benefits and perks

Who are we?

We’re the UK’s largest water and wastewater company, with more than 16 million customers relying on us every day to supply water for their taps and toilets. We want to build a better future for all, helping our customers, communities, people and the planet to thrive. It’s a big job and we’ve got a long way to go, so we need help from passionate and skilled people, committed to making a difference and getting us to where we want to be in the years and decades to come.

Learn more about our purpose and values

Working at Thames Water

Thames Water is a unique, rewarding and diverse place to work, where every day you can make a difference, yet no day is the same. As part of our family, you’ll enjoy fast-tracked career opportunities, flexible working arrangements and excellent benefits.
Whether you’re interested in a role in one of our call centres or science labs, we’re looking for people like you with real passion and a burning desire to make things better.

So, if you’re looking for a sustainable and successful career where you can make a daily difference to millions of people’s lives while helping to protect the world of water for future generations, we’ll be here to support you every step of the way. Together, we can build a better future for our customers, our region and our planet.
Real purpose, real support, real opportunities. Come and join the Thames Water family. Why choose us? Learn more.

Our overarching aim is to ensure that Thames Water is great, diverse and inclusive place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and offer extra support for those who need it throughout the recruitment process. Our aim is to remove any real or perceived barriers to success, so if you need assistance, we’re here to help and support.

When a crisis happens, we all rally around 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 earn some extra money along the way.

Disclaimer: due to the high volume of applications we receive, we may close the advert earlier than the advertised date, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.