Job Description

Sector Principal - Manufacturing

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Durham, Glasgow, London

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Contract:

Permanent

Salary:

Job Title:

Sector Principal - Manufacturing

Location:

Glasgow | Durham | London

Salary:

70,000 - 80,000 depending on experience

Contract:

Full time, permanent. Office based with occasional travel.

About Us

Waterstons help organisations solve real business problems with smart people and transformational technology. Building on businesses in the UK and Australia, their vision is to grow into a broader global team that brings fresh ideas, honest advice, and meaningful impact -- wherever they go

Expert team:

The team of almost 300 experts can support any area of technology within a business to help drive efficiency and realise the business goals. This could be protecting businesses against cyber security threats through risk management, a 24x7x365 Security Operations Centre, or cyber security accreditation. It could be using software or automation to drive efficiency. Or it could be maximising data, day to day IT management, team training, onsite support - the possibilities are endless.

Waterstons Values:

Our values are the driving force behind everything we do. They guide our actions, shape our culture, and influence how we interact. By living these values, we take our clients and our people on transformative journeys, while constantly embodying our non-negotiable behaviours of trust, collaboration, empowerment, innovation, honesty, quality and putting people first.

About the Role

As Sector Principal - Manufacturing, you will play a key leadership role in shaping and growing our work across the manufacturing sector. You will use your sector knowledge and commercial acumen to deepen client relationships, develop new opportunities, and help manufacturing businesses solve their biggest challenges using technology and data.


You'll work cross-functionally with advisory, digital, cyber, and technology teams to deliver tailored solutions. This role combines thought leadership, business development, and hands-on consulting to drive impact and growth.

Key Responsibilities

Sector Strategy & Development

Lead the development of a clear business plan for growth in the manufacturing sector, aligned to Waterstons' services and strategic priorities Act as a thought leader internally and externally, championing manufacturing trends and opportunities Build and lead a high-performing sector-aligned team within Advisory Services

Client & Relationship Management

Build deep, trusted partnerships with senior stakeholders across the manufacturing industry Ensure high levels of client satisfaction, strategic alignment, and ongoing value delivery Support account planning and cross-sell opportunities across Waterstons' full service offering

Business Development & Growth

Drive new client acquisition and revenue growth, with targets for both existing and new manufacturing clients Lead and support bid responses, RFPs, and strategic pursuits Identify and shape opportunities to deliver ERP, data, digital transformation, and integration programmes

Delivery & Commercial Accountability

Deliver high-value advisory engagements, with a personal billability target (minimum 8 days/month) Ensure profitability of your sector, including resource planning and rate setting Identify opportunities for new or enhanced service offerings in manufacturing

Requirements

Essential Skills & Experience:

Significant experience working in or with the manufacturing sector Strong understanding of IT-led transformation, particularly around ERP systems, data & analytics, cloud platforms, or M&A IT integration Previous experience in consulting, with a focus on client advisory and solution delivery Proven ability to develop client relationships, grow accounts, and lead successful business development efforts Strong leadership, collaboration, and influencing skills - both internally and externally Ability to balance commercial ownership with hands-on consulting delivery

Preferred:

Experience working within a mid-sized consultancy or professional services environment Exposure to 24/7 operational support models, common in manufacturing Understanding of Industry 4.0, servitisation, or the digital factory landscape Familiarity with tools like SAP S/4HANA, Dynamics, Azure, AWS, or similar

Qualifications

Required:

Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline or equivalent experience

Preferred:

Master's degree or MBA Professional certification or industry-specific qualifications where applicable

Benefits:

Learning

Someone smarter than us once said 'every day's a school day'. And we've taken that to heart. In fact, the only way we'll stay relevant is if our people embrace new skills and knowledge at every opportunity. So that's exactly what we encourage.



We believe in getting stuff done, not getting tied-up in politics. That's why we have an anti-hierarchical hierarchy. That means each individual is empowered to make a difference, with an unlimited learning budget, and plenty of room to progress as your influence increases.

Flexibility

It's all about balance with Waterstons. We want our people to make a difference, but we also want their career to be the fuel for a happy and fulfilling personal life. That's why you'll enjoy flexibility on where and how you work.

Holidays

Unlimited annual leave is becoming all the rage these days, but we were about thirty years ahead of most brands. The set-up is simple - we trust you to take as much holiday as you want - just don't leave a colleague or client in the lurch.

Wellbeing

We think a happier, healthier team is more productive, more effective and more enjoyable to be part of. And that's exactly why we focus so much on every aspect of wellbeing - both inside and outside of work.

Money

Let's not be naive... the benefits and wellbeing stuff is brilliant. But everyone has bills to pay. So it's good to know we offer competitive salaries across all roles, as well as a profit share scheme to make sure we're all sharing in the good times.

More...

There are all sorts of other benefits and perks too... from our cycle to work scheme to our season ticket loan, and an awful lot more. All to try and help you keep your health and happiness in top-top shape. Details:

Pension - 5% employee/employer contributions Flexible agile way of work EV Car scheme Poll car Private Health BUPA - for you and your family Profit share opportunity Employee Salary Sacrifice Reset Day * Unlimited access to Beamish