Senior Category Manager

Severn Trent Plc; Coventry; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

28 days holiday

Annual bonus up to £2,250

Pension contribution match

Sharesave

CIPS study support

Academy training

EV scheme

Retail offers

Family friendly policies

Volunteering days

Job summary

Severn Trent Plc in Coventry is seeking a Senior Category Manager to lead our Asset Repair and Refurbishment category within Procurement & Contract Management. You will shape long-term category strategies, manage supplier relationships, and drive high-value sourcing that supports operations and sustainability.

You will collaborate with senior stakeholders to forecast demand, influence decisions and align procurement with regulatory expectations.

Qualifications

• Experience delivering end-to-end procurement and category management strategies.
• Strong negotiation and influencing skills with proven value delivery.
• Confident engaging with senior stakeholders.
• Ability to turn data and market insight into strategic decisions.
• Proactive, independent problem solving and continuous improvement mindset.
• Experience in regulated or complex organisations; utilities experience a plus.
• CIPS Level 6 preferred or working towards.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and delivery of strategic category plans and procurement pipelines.
• Oversee complex tender activity and negotiations for best value outcomes.
• Monitor spend, ensure contract coverage and forward planning.
• Build relationships with senior stakeholders and influence planning.
• Identify supply chain risks and develop mitigation plans.
• Embed sustainability into sourcing strategies with suppliers.
• Ensure compliance with procurement processes and regulatory requirements.
• Contribute to continuous improvement across Procurement.
• Promote health, safety and wellbeing across suppliers and stakeholders.

Skills

Category management

Negotiation

Influencing seniors

Data to decisions

Problem solving

Continuous improvement

Regulated environment

CIPS awareness

Education

CIPS Level 6 preferred

Tools

Procurement systems

Market insight tools

Job description

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Our people are what makes Severn Trent a truly exciting and inclusive place to work. We're a team of over 7,000 people, united by a shared purpose to deliver one of life's essentials - water - while thriving in a unique and supportive culture.

We're a growing, Midlands based FTSE 100 organisation and we welcome people from all walks of life. We celebrate individuality, because we know that diverse minds, experiences and backgrounds help us learn, innovate and better serve the customers and communities we represent.

It's an exciting time to join us. As we enter our next five year regulatory period (AMP8), we have ambitious plans to deliver bigger and better than ever before. If you're looking for a challenging, rewarding career where you can make a genuine impact, Severn Trent is the place to be.

We're looking for a Senior Category Manager to join our Procurement & Contract Management team, leading our Asset Repair and Refurbishment category and shaping the future of how we deliver critical infrastructure services.

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

As a Senior Category Manager, you'll play a key role in driving value across a business-critical area of spend. You'll lead the development of long-term category strategies, manage supplier relationships, and deliver high-value sourcing activity that supports operational performance and sustainability goals.

You'll work closely with senior stakeholders across the business to understand future demand, influence commercial decisions, and ensure procurement activity aligns with business priorities and regulatory expectations.

In this role, you'll:

• Lead the development and delivery of strategic category plans and procurement pipelines
• Oversee complex tender activity, leading negotiations to secure best value and outcomes
• Monitor and manage spend, ensuring strong contract coverage and forward planning
• Build strong relationships with senior stakeholders, influencing business planning and decision making
• Identify and manage supply chain risks, developing mitigation and contingency plans
• Embed sustainability into sourcing strategies and work with suppliers to improve performance
• Ensure compliance with Severn Trent processes and regulated procurement requirements
• Contribute to continuous improvement across the Procurement function
• Promote a strong culture of health, safety and wellbeing across suppliers and stakeholders

WHAT YOU'LL BRING TO THE ROLE

We're looking for someone who combines strong commercial expertise with the confidence to influence and lead in a complex, regulated environment.

You’ll bring:

• Experience delivering end-to-end procurement and category management strategies
• Strong negotiation and influencing skills, with a track record of delivering commercial value
• Confidence engaging with and challenging senior stakeholders
• The ability to turn data and market insight into clear, strategic decisions
• A proactive, problem-solving mindset with the ability to work independently
• A passion for continuous improvement and driving change
• Experience operating in a regulated or complex organisation (utilities experience is a plus)
• CIPS Level 6 (or working towards) preferred

WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU

Working here isn't just a job. You can build a career at Severn Trent. We'll reward you for it, too. We have a range of benefits that recognise great work, and award-winning training to help you reach your potential. And we'll also help you play your part in looking after the environment and the communities where we live.

With that in mind, here are just some of our favourite perks that you'll get being part of the Severn Trent family:

• 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, subject to eligibility)
• Leading pension scheme - we will double your contribution (up to 15% when you contribute 7.5%)
• Sharesave - the chance to buy Severn Trent Plc shares at a discounted rate
• Support for your CIPS studies
• Dedicated training and development with our Academy
• Electric vehicle scheme and retail offers
• Family friendly policies
• Two paid volunteering days per year

WHAT'S NEXT?