Cost Transformation Specialist

SevernTrentLife; Coventry; Hybrid; GBP 46,000 - 63,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading utility company in Coventry is seeking a Cost Transformation Specialist to enhance business processes. Responsibilities include identifying inefficiencies, managing change, and delivering strategic insights. Requires over 5 years of process improvement experience, proficiency in tools like Excel and Power BI, and preferably Six Sigma certification. This role offers a competitive salary of £46,000 - £63,000 along with various employee benefits including a bonus scheme and training opportunities.

Benefits

Annual salary of £46,000 - £63,000

28 days holiday + bank holidays

Annual bonus scheme

Leading pension scheme

Share-save scheme

Dedicated training and development

Electric vehicle scheme

Family friendly policies

Two volunteer days per year

Qualifications

• Over 5 years of experience in process improvement, ideally within finance, procure-to-pay, or operations.
• Six Sigma Green Belt certification preferred.
• Proven track record of leading change.

Responsibilities

• Conduct deep dives to identify process inefficiencies.
• Document findings using the DMAIC framework.
• Manage improvement plans and change management.

Skills

Process mapping

Root cause analysis

Data-driven decision-making

Strong analytical thinking

Commercial awareness

Collaboration across teams

Education

Accountancy qualifications

Procurement qualifications

Tools

Excel

Power BI

SAP ECC

Ariba

Job description

At Severn Trent, our people are at the heart of everything we do. We’re in the top 5% of utility companies worldwide when it comes to employee engagement and ranked as a Top 50 UK Employer on Glassdoor. Join us in making a positive impact on the environment and our communities, while being valued and supported in a truly inclusive workplace.

If you want to do more, because you care, we want you on our team.

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

Our Finance team are looking to appoint a Cost Transformation Specialists where you will analyse, design and optimise processes to improve efficiency and productivity in line with the functions purpose and principles.

Working collaboratively across teams, the role focuses on identifying improvement opportunities, implementing change, and ensuring continuous enhancement.

The role will deliver effective and well managed change across many end-to-end processes utilising their deep skillset of understanding business processes and having curiosity within the innovation space.

Some of your other key accountabilities will include:

• Conduct deep dives to identify process inefficiencies and root causes.
• Document findings using the DMAIC framework (e.g. problem statements, process maps, stakeholder analysis).
• Analyse data and prepare KPIs/PPIs to support improvement initiatives.
• Create current/future state documentation including SOPs, training materials, and comms.
• Manage improvement plans, change management, and risk assessments.
• Develop and deliver stakeholder communication plans.
• Identify and test new process improvement opportunities.
• Support rollout of improvement plans and transition to BAU.
• Assist in designing and implementing new policies and procedures.
• Contribute to business case development and supporting analysis
• Lead regular contract performance reviews in line with governance protocols, focusing on SLA/KPI delivery, compliance, cost control, and supplier performance.
• Monitor contract expenditure across workstreams, collaborating with budget holders to ensure alignment with business objectives.
• Identify and manage contract and commercial risks, ensuring responsibilities are clearly allocated and mitigation plans are in place.

HOW WE WORK

You'll join a caring culture that collaborates to achieve, grow, and develop. Our employee engagement scores are among the highest globally in energy and utilities. That’s why, we value in-person moments to keep our culture alive but also understand the flexibility working from home can bring. So, you'll usually find us in the office, but working from home is supported, when you need it. This role may involve occasional travel to other office locations as required.

You’ll be based at our Severn Trent Centre in Coventry. With this being such a critical role, we’re looking for someone who can join us 37 hours a week.

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR

To succeed in this role, you'll bring over 5 years of experience in process improvement, ideally within finance, procure-to-pay, or operations.

You’ll be skilled in process mapping, root cause analysis, and data-driven decision-making, with a strong grasp of tools like Excel, Power BI, SAP ECC, and Ariba.

Preferably Six Sigma Green Belt certified, you’ll have a proven track record of leading change, influencing stakeholders, and delivering strategic insights.

Strong analytical thinking, commercial awareness, and the ability to collaborate across teams are essential, along with a proactive mindset and a solid understanding of business processes and controls.

Accountancy and Procurement Qualifications also preferred but not essential.

We welcome people from all walks of life and celebrate individuality as we know diverse minds, experiences and backgrounds help us to learn and better serve our communities.

Skills and experience are important, but character, positivity, and a caring attitude matter too. We welcome and celebrate diverse individuals, knowing they help us better serve our communities. We seek people who get involved, want to be part of something bigger, and make a difference because they care.

HOW WE’LL REWARD AND CARE FOR YOU

It’s not just a job you’ll get here, you’ll get a career too.

We have a range of benefits that reward and recognise great work and award‑winning training to ensure you reach your potential. And we’ll also help you play your part in looking after the environment and the community in which we live.

Here’s some of our favourites:

• Annual salary of £46,000 - £63,000
• 28 days holiday + bank holidays (and the ability to buy/sell up to 5 days per year)
• Annual bonus scheme (of up to £2,250 per annum based on company performance)
• Leading pension scheme – we will double your contribution (up to 15% when you contribute 7.5%)
• Share‑save – the chance to buy Severn Trent Plc shares at a discounted rate
• Dedicated training and development with our ‘Academy’
• Electric vehicle scheme and retail offers
• Family friendly policies
• Two volunteer days per year

LET’S GO

We can’t wait to hear from you! Have an updated CV ready and spare five minutes to apply. We’ll let you know the outcome after the closing date, so keep an eye on your phone and emails.