SAP Ariba Project Manager

Thames Water; England; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading water and wastewater company seeks an experienced SAP Ariba Project Manager to spearhead the deployment of SAP Strategic Sourcing. This pivotal role involves engaging with senior stakeholders, managing resources, and overseeing data migration. Candidates should have expertise in procurement transformation, strong leadership skills, and an understanding of SAP Ariba. The role offers a competitive salary, hybrid work arrangements, and extensive benefits.

Benefits

Competitive salary up to £95,000

26 days holiday per year

Car Allowance

Pension Scheme

Private Medical Health Care

Access to health and wellbeing benefits

Qualifications

• Proven track record in leading end-to-end technology-enabled procurement and sourcing transformations.
• Deep expertise in strategic sourcing and procurement operations.
• Strong leadership in stakeholder engagement and executive communication.
• Extensive experience in data governance and supplier enablement.
• Skilled at leading cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Spearhead the deployment of SAP Strategic Sourcing.
• Engage with senior stakeholders and report to the Director.
• Oversee data migration, cleansing, and validation activities.
• Define and track KPIs aligned to strategic sourcing goals.

Skills

Leadership in procurement transformations

Strategic sourcing expertise

Stakeholder engagement

Data governance

Cross-functional team leadership

ERP systems expertise

SAP Ariba implementation

Education

Degree in Business, IT, Supply Chain, or related field

SAP Ariba certification

Project Management qualification (e.g., PRINCE2, PMP)

Job description

Overview

The SAP Ariba Project Manager will spearhead the deployment of SAP Strategic Sourcing within our organisation. This is a pivotal role in transforming our sourcing capabilities and delivering long-term value across our commercial operations.

The successful candidate will lead discovery, design, and delivery phases in partnership with our System Integrator, using the SAP Activate methodology.

What you’ll be doing as an SAP Ariba Project Manager

• Engaging with senior stakeholders.
• Reporting to the Commercial and Procurement Director with dotted line to the ERP Programme Director.
• Actively engage in programme governance and be accountable for the mobilisation of resources, development/ baselining of delivery plans.
• Using existing Source to Pay process review materials together with identifying further inefficiencies, bottlenecks, and improvement opportunities.
• Develop and execute a robust business change strategy focusing on both suppliers and internal users.
• Oversee data migration, cleansing, transformation and validation activities, ensuring business sign-off at each stage.
• Define and track KPIs and benefits aligned to strategic sourcing goals. Provide regular executive-level reporting on progress, risks, and outcomes.
• Ensure the programme delivers measurable commercial and operational value.
• Lead supplier onboarding and engagement strategies. Champion user adoption through a robust training and support approach.

Base location – Hybrid – Clear Water Court, Reading

Working pattern – 36 hours

What you should bring to the role

The essential criteria to help you succeed in this role are:

Technical Experience (Leadership Focus)

• Proven track record in leading end-to-end technology-enabled procurement and sourcing transformations, with direct accountability for delivery and outcomes.
• Deep expertise in strategic sourcing, procurement operations, and ERP integration, ensuring alignment of technology with business objectives.
• Strong leadership in stakeholder engagement and executive communication, driving consensus and managing expectations at C-level and operational levels.
• Extensive experience in data governance, supplier enablement, and organisational change management, ensuring adoption and long-term value realisation.
• Skilled at leading cross-functional teams and managing third-party system integrators and delivery partners to deliver large-scale procurement solutions.
• Proficient in ERP systems (especially SAP), with hands-on leadership in data analytics and data migration initiatives.
• Specialised expertise in SAP Ariba, with multiple successful implementations in regulated and utility sectors, delivering compliance, efficiency, and process optimisation.

Qualifications

• Degree in Business, IT, Supply Chain, or related field.
• SAP Ariba certification or equivalent experience preferred.
• Project Management qualification (e.g., PRINCE2, PMP) is desirable.

What’s in it for you?

• Competitive salary of up to £95,000 per annum, depending on experience.
• Annual Leave - 26 days holiday per year, increasing to 30 with the length of service. (plus bank holidays)
• Car Allowance.
• Performance-related pay plan is directly linked to both the company and the individual. performance measures and targets.
• Generous Pension Scheme through AON.
• Private Medical Health Care.
• Access to lots of benefits to help you take care of you and your family’s health and wellbeing, and your finances – from annual health MOTs and access to physiotherapy and counselling, to Cycle to Work schemes, shopping vouchers and life assurance.

Find out more about our benefits and perks

Who are we?

We’re the UK’s largest water and wastewater company, with more than 16 million customers relying on us every day to supply water for their taps and toilets. We want to build a better future for all, helping our customers, communities, people, and the planet to thrive. It’s a big job and we’ve got a long way to go, so we need help from passionate and skilled people, committed to making a difference and getting us to where we want to be in the years and decades to come.

Learn more about our purpose and values

Working at Thames Water

Thames Water is a unique, rewarding, and diverse place to work, where every day you can make a difference, yet no day is the same. As part of our family, you’ll enjoy meaningful career opportunities, flexible working arrangements and excellent benefits.

If you’re looking for a sustainable and successful career where you can make a daily difference to millions of people’s lives while helping to protect the world of water for future generations, we’ll be here to support you every step of the way. Together, we can build a better future for our customers, our region, and our planet.

Real purpose, real support, real opportunities. Come and join the Thames Water family. Why choose us? Learn more.

We’re committed to being a great, diverse, and inclusive place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and want to ensure you feel supported throughout the recruitment process. If you need any adjustments, whether that’s extra time, accessible formats, or anything else just let us know, we’re here to help and support.

When a crisis happens, we all rally around to support our customers. As part of Team Thames, you’ll have the opportunity to sign up to support our customers on the frontline as an ambassador. Full training will be given for what is undoubtedly an incredibly rewarding experience. It’s also a great opportunity to learn more about our business and meet colleagues.

Disclaimer: due to the high volume of applications we receive, we may close the advert earlier than the advertised date, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.