Category Manager

Pertemps; Reading; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading water and wastewater company is seeking a Category Manager to drive strategic procurement initiatives. The role involves managing supplier relationships, executing category management strategies, and ensuring compliance with commercial arrangements. The position offers a hybrid working model in Reading and opportunities for personal growth.

Benefits

26 days annual leave

Contributory pension scheme

Annual Personal Medical Assessments

Health and well-being benefits

Qualifications

• Experience in comprehensive strategic category management.
• Ability to influence and engage stakeholders.
• Experience leading complex supplier negotiations up to £100m.

Responsibilities

• Creating and executing end-to-end strategic category management.
• Managing a portfolio of suppliers for continuous improvement.
• Leading and evaluating competitive tenders for goods and services.

Skills

Stakeholder Engagement

Risk Management

Negotiation

Strategic Management

Performance Improvement

Job description

Thames Water has embarked on an exciting Turnaround Plan to deliver life’s essential services for years to come, benefiting millions of people, the environment, and the community. A key pillar of this plan is to operate within our means, which requires skilled strategic procurement professionals with strong commercial acumen to make a significant impact during these challenging times.

Role Overview: As a Category Manager, you will be a commercial expert for your designated category. Your expertise will be crucial in developing and implementing strategies that keep Thames Water at the forefront of market-leading commercial arrangements.

What you’ll be doing as a Category Manager

1. Creating and executing end-to-end strategic category management.
2. Providing in-depth category knowledge and market insights, including risk management at the category level.
3. Managing a portfolio of suppliers to ensure continuous improvement of contracted expectations and supporting suppliers in delivering added value.
4. Leading and evaluating competitive tenders and proposals for goods and services.
5. Ensuring timely and accurate reporting on projects using available tools.

Base Location: Reading - Hybrid.
Working Pattern: 36 Hours per week.

Candidate Requirements:

• Experience in comprehensive strategic category management.
• Ability to influence and engage stakeholders internally and externally to drive change.
• Proactive in challenging norms and seeking opportunities for performance improvements.
• Experience leading complex supplier negotiations up to £100m.
• Understanding of operating within complex supply chain environments.
• Strong prioritization skills and effective risk and complexity management.

What’s in it for you?

Join a company offering rewarding career paths and opportunities for personal growth:

• Competitive salary
• 26 days annual leave, increasing to 30 days with service (plus bank holidays)
• Contributory pension scheme (up to 12%, with 2x employee contribution)
• Annual Personal Medical Assessments
• Benefits supporting health, well-being, and finances, including physiotherapy, counselling, Cycle to Work, vouchers, and life assurance

Learn more about our benefits and perks.

About Thames Water

We are the UK’s largest water and wastewater company, serving over 16 million customers daily. Our mission is to build a sustainable future by helping our customers, communities, people, and the planet thrive. We seek passionate, skilled individuals committed to making a difference.

Working at Thames Water

Our diverse and rewarding workplace offers opportunities for rapid career development, flexible working, and excellent benefits. Whether in call centres, labs, or other roles, we value your passion to improve and innovate.

If you’re seeking a meaningful career that impacts millions and helps protect water resources, we support you every step of the way. Join us in building a better future for all.

We are committed to diversity and inclusion, welcoming applications from all backgrounds and providing support throughout the recruitment process. We also offer opportunities to support our customers directly, including frontline ambassador roles with full training.

Note: Due to high application volumes, the vacancy may close early. We encourage prompt applications to avoid missing out.