Senior Procurement Specialist

Anglian Water; Peterborough; Hybrid; GBP 55,000; Full time

Job summary

A key player in UK infrastructure is looking for a Senior Procurement Specialist to drive procurement strategies for a major reservoir initiative. This role involves leading complex procurement projects, ensuring compliance with laws, and building strong supplier relationships. The successful candidate will have strategic thinking skills and a background in procurement, especially in construction or infrastructure. Benefits include competitive salary, private healthcare, and a double-matched pension. Join us in shaping a greener East of England.

Benefits

Private health care

Double-matched pension

Life assurance (8 times salary)

Flexible benefits

26 days annual leave

Qualifications

• Proven track record of delivering complex over-threshold service and works related procurements.
• Strong working knowledge of Procurement Act 23 and/or UCR2016.
• Experience working with major construction or infrastructure project based procurement.

Responsibilities

• Align procurement activities with the program's strategy.
• Take ownership of procurement projects and ensure timely delivery and compliance.
• Lead supplier selection and commercial negotiations.
• Build strong supplier relationships.
• Use data to identify risks and opportunities.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Supplier relationship management

Negotiation

Complex project management

Commercial acumen

Education

CIPS Professional certification (minimum level 5)

Bachelor's degree in procurement, supply chain, or commercial related course

Job description

Salary: Circa £55k depending on skills and experience

Full-time, with flexibility for part-time.

37 hours per week/permanent

Location: Peterborough (Worldwide House) and London (The Jelicoe, Kings Cross)

Hybrid Working 2-3 days in office weekly, 1 of which must be in our Peterborough office.

Private health care

Double-matched pension

Virtual GP service for you and your household

Life assurance at 8 times salary

Drive high-impact procurement at the heart of one of the UK's most ambitious infrastructure programmes

We're looking for a Senior Procurement Specialist to play a key role in the successful delivery of the multi-billion-pound Anglian Water Reservoirs Programme. This is a once-in-a-generation initiative, securing long-term water resilience for millions.

This is your opportunity to be a part of a programme that’s shaping a greener, more resilient East of England; where people, nature and water come together for generations to come. You'll help deliver two new reservoirs that protect our most precious resource, reduce pressure on sensitive environments, and create places for communities to thrive.

We're seeking a strategic thinker with a proven track record of delivering procurement strategies that achieve impactful outcomes and align to the programmes strategic objectives. You will lead complex procurement projects with impact, whilst driving timely, cost-effective, and compliant outcomes. You'll combine strategic thinking and commercial acumen to negotiate, build strong supplier relationships, and deliver best value.

You'll use your procurement expertise to influence at every level, shape category strategy, and stay ahead of market dynamics. As a senior team member, you will mentor colleagues, share knowledge, and embed best practice across the Reservoirs Programme.

What you’ll be doing

• Align procurement activities with the Programme's overarching procurement and supply chain strategy.

• Take ownership of a portfolio of procurement projects within the Reservoirs Programme, ensuring timely delivery, value, compliance, and effective risk management.

• Lead supplier selection and commercial negotiations

• Build and maintain strong supplier relationships to meet project requirements.

• Develop deep market and category knowledge to shape procurement strategies aligned with programme and business goals.

• Use data and market insights to identify risks and opportunities, supporting informed decision-making and forecasting.

• Post‑award, monitor contract performance, identify improvement opportunities, and manage supplier exit activities where required.

• Ensure all procurement activity complies with legal, regulatory, and organisational governance standards.

What it takes to be successful?

• A strategic thinker with a proven track record of delivering complex over-threshold service and works related procurements.

• Strong working knowledge of Procurement Act 23 and/or UCR2016.

• Ability to drive informed decision‑making, manage multiple complex projects, and influence senior stakeholders.

• CIPS Professional certification to a minimum of level 5 OR Educated to Bachelor's degree level in a procurement, supply chain or a commercial related course.

• Established professional with extensive commercial acumen experience.

• Experience working with major construction or infrastructure project based procurement or commercial functions, including experience of working with NEC3 or NEC4.

As a valued employee, you’ll be entitled to:

• Personal private health care

• Life assurance (up to 8 x salary)

• Personal accident cover (up to 5 x salary)

• Double‑matched pension (maximum 6% employee contribution)

• 26 days annual leave – rising with length of service and the ability to buy more

• Excellent family‑friendly policies, such as 26 weeks full pay for maternity/adoption leave, as well as 4 weeks paid paternity/partner leave. Opportunity for shared parental pay

• Bonus scheme

• Flexible benefits to support your wellbeing and lifestyle.

Inclusion at Anglian Water

We value the representation & diversity within our communities. Inclusion is for everyone and we are an equal opportunity employer, which means we'll consider all suitably qualified applicants regardless of gender identity or expression, ethnic origin, nationality, religion or beliefs, age, sexual orientation, disability status or any other protected characteristic. We recruit and develop our people based on merit and their passion for creating better outcomes, and we’re committed to creating an environment where all our colleagues feel they belong.

Closing date: Sunday 11th January 2026