SAP Ariba Project Manager

Thames Water; Reading; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

A major water utility company is seeking a SAP Ariba Project Manager to lead the deployment of SAP Strategic Sourcing. This pivotal role involves overseeing the transformation of sourcing capabilities and driving procurement transformations. Applicants should have a proven track record in technology-enabled procurement, strong leadership skills, and extensive expertise in SAP Ariba. Competitive salary up to £95,000 is offered alongside a comprehensive benefits package.

Benefits

Competitive salary

26 days annual leave, increasing to 30

Car allowance

Generous 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.
• Expertise in strategic sourcing, procurement operations, and ERP integration.
• Extensive experience in data governance and supplier enablement.

Responsibilities

• Lead discovery, design, and delivery phases with the System Integrator.
• Define and track KPIs and benefits aligned to strategic sourcing goals.
• Oversee data migration, cleansing, transformation and validation activities.

Skills

Stakeholder engagement

Leadership

Data governance

Cross-functional team management

SAP Ariba expertise

Education

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

SAP Ariba certification or equivalent experience

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

Tools

SAP

Job description

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.

Key Responsibilities

• 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.

Requirements

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

• 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.

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.

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.