Job Description

Procurement Lead

Full Time / Permanent / salary up to 60,000 / Office Based / Stoke

Water Plus, one of the UK's largest water retailers for around 350,000 customers, has a really exciting opportunity for an experienced

Procurement Lead

, based at our Head Office in Stoke-on-Trent (ST4 4TW).

What's the role?

As our Procurement Lead, you will ensure the procurement function optimises supplier value (i.e. balance cost versus risk and improved goods/services).

This will be achieved by heading a procurement function that provides Business Partner support and guidance to departments undertaking?procurement?activities.

You will have ownership of the procurement contract / tendering portal, ensuring a full suite of accessible up-to-date contract information, and tenders are conducted effectively.

What are some of the duties I'll be doing?

Lead a small, highly productive procurement team. Ensure procurement is conducted in alignment with overall business strategy and goals, whilst compliant with industry and regulatory legislative requirements and best practice. Supporting delivery of the contract sourcing pipeline through early engagement with the business managers, to advise on the pending requirements. Provide accurate & reliable?procurement?advice and guidance that considers best course of action. Support the business to undertake?procurement?exercises that lead to successful contracts being entered into that are in line with company values and deliver quality goods/services for the appropriate efficient cost. Comply with internal established frameworks/purchasing arrangements. Promote effective contract management across the business to ensure effective delivery and ongoing supplier development.

What are we looking for from you?

Coupled with your MCIPS qualification, you will have:

Essential:

Proven track record of commercial successes. Management of end-to-end tender processes. Strong data analytical skills, to support business-wide procurement decision making. Significant experience of contract creation. A proven track record of effective stakeholder influencing. High level of personal motivation; strong drive and initiative. Strong time management, planning and organisation skills. Able to manage high volume workloads and, at times, conflicting demands whilst meeting challenging deadlines.

Desirable:

Good knowledge of MS Office suite and procurement software

All offers are subject to a satisfactory basic Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check.

What do we have to offer you?

A competitive salary up to 60,000 dependent upon experience 25 days annual leave (pro-rata if you join part way through our annual leave year). Plus never work your birthday, Plus all Bank Holidays. Our holiday year runs from April to March; in February you'll have the opportunity to buy/sell annual leave. Free parking. Free Healthcare cashback Plan (re-claiming for spend on optical treatment or dental care and so much more). You can also choose to pay to upgrade your membership to include a partner and children. Pension scheme with employer contributions matched to 6%; Life Assurance. Confidential Employee Assistance Programme. Access to discounts and offers from 350+ top brands. Access to Water Plus Academy to develop personally and professionally, incl support with professional qualifications and study leave.

What is a Water Retailer and who is Water Plus?

When parliament approved The Water Bill in 2014, it declared that the water market could become competitive for non-domestic customers. It ruled that water wholesalers could no longer provide the retail element for their non-domestic customer. Water Plus is a Water Retailer, and we went live in 2017 as a joint venture between United Utilities and Severn Trent and our customers range from small independent businesses to some of the biggest names in the UK.

A few years on, we are an award-winning trusted water retail partner for around 350,000 non-domestic customers across England and Scotland. Amongst other accolades, we have recently won the UK Customer Satisfaction Award for Sustainable Customer Service for 2025, for our work with customers and employees - the second UK Customer Satisfaction Award we have won in two years.

Please note: We may close the advert sooner than the date advertised, therefore, you are encouraged to apply as soon as you can. If you have any questions or issues regarding your application, please email us at recruitment@water-plus.co.uk

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: Up to 60,000.00 per year

Application question(s):

Please briefly summarise your experience relevant to the role What is your notice period? What is your salary expectation?
Licence/Certification:

right to work in UK with no employer sponsor now/in future (required) MCIPS qualification (required) experience of the end to end tender process (required) experience of contract creation (required) experience using procurement software? (preferred) experience leading a procurement team (preferred)
Work Location: In person