Category & Sourcing Manager

This job is with Southern Water, an inclusive employer and a member of myGwork – the largest global platform for the LGBTQ+ business community. Please do not contact the recruiter directly.
Closing Date

Job Title: Category & Sourcing Manager

Location: Falmer (Brighton)

Contract Type: Permanent

Hours: 37/ week

Salary: £55,000

Ready to make an impact?
Join Southern Water at a pivotal time as we deliver
AMP8 - our largest investment programme ever; transforming our infrastructure over the next five years
. As a Category & Sourcing Manager, you'll have
unparalleled exposure to high-value contracts and strategic projects
, shaping procurement strategies that influence the future of water and wastewater services.

This is a unique opportunity to work with a
collaborative team
, enjoy
autonomy and variety
, and play a critical role in driving innovation and value across one of the UK's most ambitious programmes.

There has never been a better time to join our organisation as we build towards a greener future, tackling climate change, minimising our environmental impact and reducing our carbon footprint

(Please note: we are unable to offer sponsorship on this role)
What You'll Be Doing
As a
Category & Sourcing Manager
, you will:

• Develop and implement category strategies for delivery partners and major projects, ensuring alignment with procurement regulations (PA23) and business objectives.
• Lead sourcing and contracting activities, including formal tendering processes, mini competitions, and framework agreements.
• Engage with stakeholders to understand requirements and deliver solutions that optimise total cost of ownership.
• Drive cost reduction initiatives through standardisation, demand aggregation, and minimising tail spend.
• Introduce best practices and innovation into category strategies, ensuring continuous improvement.
• Monitor performance and compliance with policies, processes, and governance frameworks.

What We're Looking For
We're seeking someone who is:

• Experienced in category management, public sector, or construction industry procurement (UCR or PA23 knowledge desirable).
• Skilled in developing category strategies and managing complex sourcing processes.
• A strong communicator and influencer, able to build relationships with senior stakeholders.
• Commercially aware, with excellent analytical, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
• Proactive and self-sufficient, with a continuous improvement mindset.

Essential

• Recognised procurement qualification (e.g., CIPS or equivalent).
• Experience in construction, utilities, or public sector procurement.

Desirable

• Knowledge of NEC forms of contract.
• Advanced MS Excel and PowerPoint skills.
• Bachelor's degree in business, finance, engineering, or related discipline (or equivalent experience).

Additional Information

• Hybrid working: 2 days in the office
• Travel: Occasional site visits in the Southern Water region.
• Flexible options: Job share or compressed hours considered.

What's in it for you?

• Exposure to high-value contracts and strategic projects.
• Opportunity to influence procurement for one of the UK's largest infrastructure investment programmes.
• Competitive salary and benefits, plus career development opportunities.

Package
This role will be full time Monday to Friday with a hybrid approach to working between our Falmer office and home.

Benefits
We are offering a salary of up to £55,000 per annum depending on skills and experience as well as other benefits including:

• Generous pension up to 11% company contribution
• 25 days annual leave
• Life assurance equal to 4x salary
• Salary sacrifice electric car scheme (after 6 months service)
• Health Cash Plan
• Full funded eye tests
• Two paid volunteering days a year
• Occupational health service
• Discounts with over 800 popular retailers
• Digital GP service
• Study support may be available for job-related qualifications
• Competitive maternity leave and flexible return to work options
• Cycle to work scheme

Join our Procurement team and see how far your career could progress with a company committed to career progression, training and development opportunities, our customers and the environment.

Does this opportunity excite you but you're not 100% sure if you meet all the requirements for the role? Or are you concerned that 'normal' office hours aren't possible given your personal circumstances? Whilst we can't accommodate every flexible working request, we'll try to find a practical solution. So why not engage with us and find out more about this role?

If this role isn't quite what you're looking for but are keen to be contacted about opportunities at Southern Water, you can register your details here: Introduce Yourself )

Our customers are at the heart of everything we do, because delivering water for life is our core purpose. To achieve this, we need 24/7 support in place to resolve incidents quickly and efficiently. All our employees understand the importance of out-of-hours incident support - because when problems appear, fixing them is our top priority. That's why our people join together and support when and however needed to make sure our customers get the service they deserve. Joining the Southern Water family means you'll become part of our incident support team. During your interview, your manager will speak to you about any incident support rotas that apply to your position.

Privacy Statement
Please note: If you are an existing Southern Water employee, you will need to confirm within your application that your Manager is aware of your application.

All applicants must be eligible to live and work in the UK. You will need to provide evidence of eligibility (e.g. a passport or long birth certificate and proof of NI) and current proof of address (dated within the last 3 months), will be required as part of the recruitment process. If you do not meet these criteria, your application will not be considered.