Category Manager

Southern Water; Worthing; On-site; GBP 46,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading water company in Worthing is seeking a Category & Sourcing Manager to shape procurement strategies that drive efficiency and sustainability. The role involves managing category spend, leading sourcing initiatives, and engaging with stakeholders to deliver impactful solutions. With a hybrid working model, competitive salary, and substantial benefits, this is an excellent opportunity for an experienced procurement professional.

Benefits

Up to 11% employer pension contribution

25 days annual leave + volunteering days

Life assurance (4x salary)

Salary sacrifice electric car scheme

Health Cash Plan & Digital GP service

Discounts with 800+ retailers

Cycle to work scheme

Study support for job-related qualifications

Qualifications

• Experience in engineering, construction, or asset procurement.
• Knowledge of public sector procurement regulations (UCR, ABC).

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement category strategies aligned with business goals.
• Engage with internal stakeholders to understand requirements and demand profiles.
• Execute the full sourcing lifecycle, ensuring value creation and compliance.
• Drive cost reduction through standardisation and demand aggregation.
• Champion continuous improvement by introducing best practices and innovation.

Skills

Strong stakeholder management

Negotiation skills

Solutions-focused approach

Commercial awareness

Analytical ability

Education

CIPS qualification

Job description

Closing Date

2025-11-28

Category & Sourcing Manager (Operations)

Location: Durrington, Worthing (Hybrid)

Contract Type: Permanent

Hours: 37 hours per week

Salary: £55,000 + excellent benefits

Shape the Future. Drive Change. Make an Impact.
There’s never been a more exciting time to join Southern Water. We’re on a mission to build a greener future—tackling climate change, reducing our carbon footprint, and delivering sustainable solutions for millions of customers.

As part of this journey, we’re investing heavily in our Procurement Division, creating opportunities for talented professionals to influence large-scale projects and deliver real value. If you’re ready to take ownership, innovate, and make a difference, this is your chance.

Why This Role Matters

As a Category & Sourcing Manager, you’ll play a pivotal role in shaping procurement strategies that drive efficiency, sustainability, and cost optimisation. You’ll manage category spend, lead sourcing initiatives, and partner with stakeholders to deliver solutions that matter—not just for today, but for generations to come.

What You’ll Do

• Develop and implement category strategies aligned with business goals
• Engage with internal stakeholders to understand requirements and demand profiles
• Execute the full sourcing lifecycle, ensuring value creation and compliance
• Drive cost reduction through standardisation and demand aggregation
• Champion continuous improvement by introducing best practices and innovation

What We’re Looking For

You’re an experienced Category Manager with a strategic mindset and a proven track record in delivering complex procurement projects. Ideally, you’ll bring:

• Strong stakeholder management and negotiation skills
• Experience in engineering, construction, or asset procurement
• Knowledge of public sector procurement regulations (UCR, ABC)
• A proactive, solutions-focused approach
• Commercial awareness and analytical ability

Bonus Points For

• CIPS qualification
• Knowledge of the Public Procurement Act

What’s In It For You?

Benefits

• Up to 11% employer pension contribution
• 25 days annual leave + volunteering days
• Life assurance (4x salary)
• Salary sacrifice electric car scheme
• Health Cash Plan & Digital GP service
• Discounts with 800+ retailers
• Cycle to work scheme
• Study support for job-related qualifications

Ready to Make a Difference?

Join our Procurement team and help us deliver smarter, greener solutions for the future. Apply today and see how far your career can go with Southern Water—where innovation meets impact.

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: https://myworkdaysite.com.

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); this is required as part of the recruitment process. If you do not meet these criteria, your application will not be considered.