Senior Category Manager

Severn Trent Water; Coventry; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking company at the heart of a £6 billion infrastructure transformation. As a Senior Category Manager, you'll play a pivotal role in enhancing design delivery through effective procurement and management of Consultant Services. This high-impact position requires a strategic thinker with a commercial mindset, ready to engage stakeholders and drive improvements. With a commitment to making a difference, you will help deliver essential services while enjoying a rewarding career with excellent benefits. If you're passionate about creating positive change, this opportunity is for you.

Benefits

28 days holiday + bank holidays

Annual bonus scheme

Leading pension scheme

Sharesave scheme

Electric vehicle scheme

Family friendly policies

Two volunteering days per year

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of Design Consultants' operations.
• Proven experience managing consultant performance in capital programmes.

Responsibilities

• Lead procurement and management of Consultant Services.
• Manage Service Order contracts and performance monitoring.

Skills

Stakeholder Engagement

Performance Management

Procurement Strategy

Data Analysis

MS Office (Excel)

Strategic Thinking

Commercial Mindset

Tools

Digital Systems

Job description

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Are you an experienced Commercial professional looking to expand your skills and experience?

Our purpose is taking care of life’s essentials, but we’re also big on making a difference, not just because we should but because we care.

Join us at the heart of a £6 billion capital investment programme as we deliver AMP8 – our most ambitious period of infrastructure transformation yet. We’re looking for a commercially focused Senior Category Manager to take ownership of our Consultant Design Services and play a critical role in supporting our in-house design teams.

You’ll act as the key commercial link between Severn Trent and our Design Consultant supply chain, ensuring high-quality, efficient and cost-effective design delivery across our capital programme. From performance management to procurement strategy, this is a high-impact role for someone who thrives on making things better, faster and smarter.

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW

We’re looking for Senior Category Manager to lead the procurement and management of Consultant Services across Optioneering, Outline, and Detailed Design stages, supporting delivery of our capital programme.

You will manage Service Order contracts and lead in-contract mini-competitions to ensure cost efficiencies are achieved and sustained throughout the contract lifecycle. Aswell as monitoring Consultant performance through Key Performance Measures, using data-driven insights to promote accountability and continuous improvement.

The successful candidate will develop and maintain strong, productive relationships with all framework providers and internal teams, ensuring seamless communication and collaboration. While supporting the Commercial Manager and oversee line management of digital contracts, the secondment process, and the administration of our CEM project workspace.

Finally, you will be the go-to commercial contact for all design-related matters, resolving disputes with support from our capital design teams when needed

WHAT YOU’LL BRING TO THE ROLE

• Strong understanding of how Design Consultants operate and deliver value
• Proven experience managing consultant or contractor performance in complex capital programmes
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and the confidence to challenge constructively
• Sector experience in Water is ideal – but related industries such as Utilities, Power, Petrochem, Pharma, Aerospace or Food Manufacturing are welcome
• Proficient in MS Office, particularly Excel, and comfortable navigating digital systems
• Strategic thinker with a commercial mindset and a drive to improve processes and outcomes

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. We want people who show up and get involve. Those who are ready to be part of something bigger and who want to make a difference because they care. Is that you?

WHAT’S IN IT 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:

• 28 days holiday + bank holidays (and the ability to buy/ sell up to 5 additional days per year)
• Annual bonus scheme (of up to £2,250 depending on company performance)
• 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
• Electric vehicle scheme and retail offers
• Family friendly policies
• Two volunteering days per year

WHAT’S NEXT

We can’t wait to hear from you.

Before you apply, you’ll need an updated copy of your CV and about five minutes to spare. If you’re not too sure about what you need to do, or have a question about the role before applying, please do reach out to our amazing team of recruiters at [e-mail].

And if your curiosity has peaked and you're wanting to find out even more, search#LifeAtSevernTrenton social media.

Ps. we’ll always let you know the outcome of your application after the closing date - so keep an eye on your phone and emails!