Lead Supplier Manager

Job Description

We’re seeking an experienced Supply Chain Management Lead to drive the delivery of our market engagement and supplier relationship management initiatives for our Strategic Regional Options (SRO) Portfolio.

This is an exciting opportunity to be part of the team delivering Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects that are critical to safeguarding the long-term availability of water for our customers. You'll be working on pioneering projects with far-reaching benefits for the environment, society, and future generations.

With £469 million allocated by Ofwat for the development of 17 integrated SROs between 2020-2025, Thames Water is leading the charge on five of these groundbreaking schemes, four of which involve collaboration with other major water companies, and we’re looking for someone who can help take these solutions from concept to being 'construction ready' for the 2025-2030 period.

By joining us, you’ll contribute to projects that are key to the Water Resources South East (WRSE) and Water Resources Management Plan (WRMP24) investment programmes - initiatives that have already received strong support from the Government.

If you're passionate about making a real impact and driving forward industry-leading solutions, we want to hear from you!

What you’ll be doing as a Supplier Management Lead

Reporting to the Head of Procurement, Supply Chain & Digital, you will play a key leadership role in managing the Supply Chain Management (SCM) function, working closely with appointed and prospective suppliers to drive engagement, supply chain risk management, and market intelligence.

You will take ownership of the supply chain engagement strategy and lead initiatives that promote supplier collaboration, ensuring the delivery of our strategic objectives.

Strategic Relationship Management and Market Engagement

Take ownership of our supply chain engagement strategy, fostering clear, strategic communication with the market, trade bodies, and stakeholders. Ensure the effective implementation of procurement and supply chain strategies to deliver value for our customers.

Team Leadership & Management

Lead, develop, and motivate the SRO Supply Chain Team to build an industry-leading function within the SRO portfolio. Act as a subject matter expert, providing education and guidance on best practices.

Market Analysis & Intelligence

Oversee capability and capacity analysis to identify strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and risks within the supply chain. Lead deep-dive analyses into critical categories to highlight strategic risks and opportunities, ensuring stakeholders and decision-makers within the SRO Portfolio are informed and prepared. Maintain up-to-date market intelligence, understanding both micro and macroeconomic factors that could impact supply chain partners.

Risk Mitigation & Opportunity Identification

Investigate supply market risks, such as capacity constraints or overheating demand, and articulate opportunities for improvement or innovation to support informed decision-making.

Collaboration & Engagement

Lead meetings, workshops, and events that support the delivery of SCM initiatives. Work collaboratively across Procurement & Supply Chain, and cross-functional teams to ensure alignment and maximise value and benefits realisation through collective effort.

Reporting & Governance

Ensure timely and accurate reporting in line with SCM programme governance. Develop and maintain a quarterly dashboard for key supply chain metrics, ensuring visibility of procurement progress and critical issues.

What you should bring to the role

• Up-to-date knowledge of market and industry developments and have a proactive approach to building and maintaining an external network of contacts.
• A proven ability to establish and nurture strategic relationships with both internal and external stakeholders, including supply chain partners and industry bodies.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with the presence to be a role model for others and the confidence to challenge the status quo.
• A supportive and approachable demeanour, contributing to a positive team dynamic and shared success.
• Confidence in producing and presenting documents and reports to diverse audiences, with clear, concise written and verbal communication.
• Capability of leading and coordinating various workstreams, managing deadlines, and ensuring successful delivery within a fast-paced environment.
• A flexible and adaptable approach, able to embrace new processes, procedures, and systems with ease.
• Meticulous attention to detail. Able to check your own work, and that of others thoroughly, and manage time effectively to meet deadlines.
• A strong focus on quality, perseverance, and the ability to overcome challenges. A self-starter who thrives under pressure, demonstrating resilience, tenacity, and the ability to lead with confidence.
• A proactive approach, demonstrating a willingness to question “business as usual” and seek innovative solutions, while drawing on insights from outside your immediate team, business, or industry.
• Expertise in analysing data with excellent Excel and PowerPoint skills, enabling data-driven decision-making and clear communication of insights.
• Degree-level education in a commercial field or equivalent qualifications, such as RICS, IACCM, or CIPS.

What’s in it for you?

• Competitive salary from £85,000 depending on relevant experience
• Annual Leave - 26 days holiday per year increasing to 30 with the length of service (Plus bank holidays)
• Car Allowance
• Annual Bonus
• Private Medical Health Care
• Contributory pension – Defined Contribution - Maximum of 12% -2x employee contribution
• Personal Medical Assessments – Open to all once a year
• Wider benefits scheme including our benefits hub, which is packed full of offers and information to save you money and support your wellbeing.

Who are we?

Our business continues to operate as usual, delivering our essential services to around 16 million customers across London, Thames Valley and the Home Counties.

At Thames Water, our purpose is crystal clear - to deliver life’s essential service so our customers, communities and planet can thrive.

Water is life’s great leveller. Every living thing needs it, every single day. From people to plants, birds to bees, farms to factories, we all need it to thrive, and we’re committed to taking care of it for us all.

But keeping water flowing is becoming harder. From scorching summers to wetter winters, extreme weather affects everything from our pipes to our local rivers. We need to keep millions more kettles boiling, public services operating, washing machines spinning, showers running and more, so every drop is more precious than ever. Are you ready to play your part?

Working at Thames Water

At Thames Water we recognise that people are at the heart of our business. To help us succeed in providing life's essential service, we need a range of skills and capabilities, representative of society throughout our business.

We seek to attract and retain a cultural mix of people who can offer different but complementary attitudes, values, talents, and knowledge. We understand the importance of appreciating and harnessing the unique skills, experiences, background, and differences that each individual brings.

Our overarching diversity and inclusion aim is to ensure Thames Water is a diverse and inclusive great place to work. We encourage applications from everyone and offer extra support for those who need it throughout the recruitment process.

When a crisis happens, we all rally around to support our customers. As part of Team Thames, you’ll have the opportunity to sign up to support our customers on the frontline as an ambassador.

Full training will be given for what is undoubtedly an incredibly rewarding experience. It’s also a great opportunity to learn more about our business, meet colleagues and earn some extra money along the way.

Disclaimer: due to the high volume of applications we receive, we may close the advert earlier than the advertised date, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.