Senior Category Manager: Strategic Sourcing Leader

Thames Water Ltd; Reading; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 86,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Car allowance

Pension (AON)

Private medical insurance

26 days annual leave (30 with service)

Job summary

Thames Water is seeking a Senior Category Manager to lead category development and sourcing across key spend areas. You will engage senior stakeholders, shape category strategy, and drive supplier opportunities, ensuring value for money and compliance.

You will manage category projects, lead tenders, and build relationships with internal teams and suppliers, delivering continuous improvement and mitigating risks across contracts. Hybrid role based in Reading.

Qualifications

• Experience leading category development across spend categories.
• Ability to engage senior stakeholders and influence decisions.
• Strong understanding of supply market dynamics, regulation and innovations.
• Proven track record in delivering category plans and continuous improvement.

Responsibilities

• Lead the newly developed Category process for relevant spend categories.
• Engage with internal stakeholders to shape category approach and supplier needs.
• Provide leadership on supply market dynamics, regulatory frameworks, and innovations.
• Build strategic category plans and consult with external markets and key stakeholders.
• Identify and prioritise sourcing pipelines and lead major category projects.
• Lead supplier negotiations and evaluate tenders to ensure value for money.
• Maintain relationships with key stakeholders and suppliers across contracts.
• Drive continuous improvement and assist with risk management and compliance.

Skills

Category management

Stakeholder engagement

Negotiation

Sourcing strategy

Influence players

Education

Experience in category management in a complex environment

Job description

Thames Water is seeking a Senior Category Manager to lead category development and sourcing across key spend areas. You will engage senior stakeholders, shape category strategy, and drive supplier opportunities, ensuring value for money and compliance.

You will manage category projects, lead tenders, and build relationships with internal teams and suppliers, delivering continuous improvement and mitigating risks across contracts. Hybrid role based in Reading.