Strategic Supplier Manager - Technology

United Utilities; Warrington; On-site; GBP 75,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

10.5% annual bonus

Up to 21% employer pension

26 days annual leave + 8 bank holidays

Hybrid working in Warrington

Career progression

Learning opportunities

Job summary

United Utilities is seeking a Strategic Supplier Manager - Technology to lead the management of 3–4 critical suppliers, implementing the Supplier Collaboration Framework to maximise value across cost, risk, innovation and performance.

In Warrington, the role combines strategic leadership with hands-on governance, enabling savings delivery and supplier-enabled innovation within a complex utility environment. A hybrid working pattern is offered, with strong collaboration across senior stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in strategic supplier management and collaboration.
• Proven ability to deliver commercial savings and performance improvements.
• Strong senior stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• Deep understanding of supplier management frameworks and governance models.
• Proven negotiation and dispute resolution expertise.
• Experience managing teams in large organisations.

Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic management of 3–4 suppliers through the full Supplier Management Framework.
• Develop and execute supplier joint account plans and governance structures.
• Deliver savings and benefits aligned to business scorecards.
• Collaborate with Market Management, Sourcing and stakeholders to maximise value.
• Drive cost optimisation, risk reduction and supplier innovation across contracts.

Skills

Strategic supplier management

Savings delivery

Stakeholder management

Governance frameworks

Negotiation

Commercial acumen

Cross-functional collaboration

Team coaching

Education

Degree qualification

CIPS/RICS/MBA/MSc (desirable)

Job description

Job number UU06306 Country United Kingdom Region Cheshire West and Chester Location name Lingley Mere (UU), Lingley Green Avenue, Great Sankey, Warrington, WA5 3LP Posting End Date 07/09/2026 Band 4a Role Type Permanent Work hours 37 Hours per Week Salary Competitive

Drive Strategic Partnerships. Deliver Commercial Value. Shape the Future.

Location: Warrington (Hybrid Working - 3 Days per Week in the Office) Salary: Competitive Salary + 10.5% Annual Bonus

Drive Strategic Partnerships. Deliver Commercial Value. Shape the Future.

We'relooking for an experienced and commercially astute Strategic Supplier Manager - Technology to lead the management and development of some of our most critical supplier relationships.

This is a highly influential role, responsible for maximising value from strategic suppliers through effective collaboration, governance, innovation, performance improvement, riskmanagementand cost optimisation. Working across a complex stakeholder environment,you'llplay a pivotal role in ensuring our supplier partnerships contribute positively to business performance, customeroutcomesand long-term strategicobjectives.

Ifyou'repassionate about building high-value supplier relationships, driving continuousimprovementand delivering measurable commercial benefits, this could be the perfect opportunity for you.

The Role

As a Strategic Supplier Manager - Technology,you'lllead the relationship and performance management of 3 to 4 business-critical strategic suppliers, implementing the Supplier Collaboration Framework to unlock the fullest value across cost, risk, innovation,performanceand relationship outcomes.

Working closely with senior stakeholders across Commercial, Sourcing, Market Management and Operational teams,you'llensure supplier partnershipsremainaligned to changing business needs whilst delivering ongoing savings,benefitsand innovation opportunities.

You'llalso lead and develop Supplier Managers and Specialists, helping to build capability and embed best practice across the wider Supplier Collaboration function.

What you'll be doing

• Lead the strategic management of 3 to 4 business-critical suppliers through the full implementation of the Supplier Management Framework.
• Develop and execute supplier joint account plans, governance structures, relationshipstrategiesand continuous improvement initiatives.
• Deliver significant savings and benefits aligned to the Commercial Balanced Business Scorecard.
• Work collaboratively with Market Management, Sourcingteamsand key stakeholders to maximise supplier value and performance.
• Drive cost optimisation, risk reduction,innovationand service improvement throughout the contract lifecycle.
• Establish strong working relationships with Executive and Head of Function stakeholders both internally and externally.
• Lead supplier governance forums, including executive sponsorship arrangements.
• Create and deliver a qualified savings and benefits pipeline approved by Finance and aligned to business budgets.
• Support contract change management, renewals,maintenanceand demand management activities.
• Manage commercial negotiations, contractvariationsand dispute resolution activities.
• Introduce and champion supplier-enabled innovation opportunities that create competitive advantage.
• Contribute to annual Integrated Market Planning reviews and strategic supplier planning activities.
• Provide specialist supplier collaborationexpertiseacross the organisation.
• Lead,coachand develop Supplier Managers and Supplier Specialists, fostering a high-performing team culture.

What we're looking for

We'relooking for a strategic and influential supplier management professional with a proventrack recordof delivering business value through collaborative supplier relationships.

Essential Experience and Skills

• Significant experiencein strategic supplier management and supplier collaboration.
• Demonstrable success in delivering commercial savings,benefitsand performance improvements.
• Strong senior stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• Deep understanding of supplier management frameworks, governancemodelsand relationship management methodologies.
• Proven negotiation, relationshipdevelopmentand dispute resolutionexpertise.
• Highly developed commercial acumen and problem-solving capabilities.
• Experienceoperatingwithin large, complex organisations.
• Strong cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Ability to balance commercialobjectiveswith operational and strategic priorities.
• Experience managing,coachingand developing teams.

Desirable Qualifications and Experience

• Degree qualified, ideally supported by a relevant professional or postgraduate qualification such as CIPS, RICS, MBA or MSc.
• Detailed knowledge of the utilities sector.
• Project management experience.
• Experience delivering supplier-led innovation programmes.

What's In ItForYou?

You'lljoin an organisation that values collaboration,innovationand continuous improvement, offering the opportunity to make a significant impact through strategic supplier partnerships.

Our rewards package includes:

• Competitive salary
• 10.5% annual bonus opportunity
• Up to 21% employer pension contribution
• 26 days annual leave, plus 8 bank holidays
• Hybrid working with 3 days per week in our Warrington office
• A comprehensive range of employee benefits
• Excellent opportunities for learning,developmentand career progression
• The chance to work with senior leaders and strategic suppliers on high-profile business initiatives

We rely on every employee to ensure our customers receive the best possible service, day in, day out. In return, we ensure that you will be well rewarded for your efforts, from an excellent salary through to development opportunities that will really kick start a thriving career here at UU.