Senior Category Manager

Severn Trent; Coventry; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Pension scheme

Sharesave

CIPS study support

Training and development

EV scheme

Family policies

Volunteer days

Job summary

Severn Trent is seeking a Senior Category Manager to lead the Asset Repair and Refurbishment category, shaping long-term strategies and supplier relationships to deliver value and sustainable outcomes.

You will work with senior stakeholders to understand demand, oversee complex tenders, and drive procurement excellence while embedding safety and regulatory alignment.

Qualifications

• Experience delivering end-to-end procurement and category management strategies.
• Strong negotiation and influencing skills with 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.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Skills

End-to-end procurement

Category management

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

Data analysis

Problem solving

Education

CIPS Level 6 (or working towards)

Job description

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.

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

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.

• 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?