Strategic Market Manager - Technology

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

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.

The role

Are you looking for a rewarding career where you can utilise your procurement and supplier management experience? 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 Strategic Market Manager within our Technology team, working from our headquarters in Lingley Mere, Warrington, Cheshire (hybrid).

UU are experiencing a period of growth and transformation, creating several opportunities within our Commercial function to work alongside our largest and most ambitious new projects. As a Strategic Market Manager, you will take the lead in delivering change and developing market strategies for complex high spend categories. You’ll be responsible for ensuring seamless collaboration, management of suppliers and complex tenders, 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.

We champion flexible ways of working. In-person attendance is required three days per week to promote the benefits of face-to-face collaboration, alongside flexibility of hours to support work-life balance. Initially, you may be expected to attend more frequently to familiarise yourselves with the site, the team, and your role.

United Utilities offer dynamic and long-lasting options that will help you grow professionally and personally and you will have the chance to enhance your skill, knowledge and experience in a supportive and collaborative environment.

Key responsibilities

• Market Strategy: Develop Integrated Market Strategies for complex, medium to high spend categories, with significant business impact. Influencing total contracted spend in the range of up to £300m.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Establish a collaborative way of working with all relevant stakeholders that supports the successful transition of Integrated Market Strategies to relevant Sourcing led execution, Supplier Collaboration Strategy or business change.
• Market Recognition: Recognised for their expert market knowledge and market management experience, providing specialist market management advice. Introduce innovation, expertise and ideas to deliver market led competitive advantage.
• Industry Analysis: Conduct regular external category benchmark assessments, reflected in Integrated Market Strategies, to include competitor market watch assessments, category trend analysis, market dynamics and innovation.
• Leadership: Lead a team of Category Managers and contribute to the development of the Category Management team to maximise value for the organisation by supporting and providing guidance to peers and input into training requirements and fostering team work.

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 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.
• Politically savvy, with the ability to use exemplary direct and indirect influencing strategies.
• 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.