Who you’ll be joining
We’re problem solvers at heart. Sometimes the answer is technology, sometimes it is strategy, and sometimes it is a strong cup of tea and a bit of thoughtful conversation. Whatever it takes, we work it out with our clients.
We’re an IT consultancy that helps organisations get the best out of their technology. That means keeping them secure and keeping the bad guys out, making sure everything works and is easy to use, and doing smart things with data and software to give their business an edge. It is important work, and we care about doing it well and for the right reasons.
Life at Waterstons is friendly, flexible and built on trust. We hire people who are curious, thoughtful and good at getting to the heart of a problem. You get support, trust and room to grow in a place that still feels human. The unlimited holidays and private healthcare are a nice touch, although most people stay because it feels like the right place to do good work with good people.
What You’ll Be Doing
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.
Your Day-to-Day
* Build strong, trusted relationships with senior manufacturing clients
* Create and deliver a sector growth plan that aligns with Waterstons strategic priorities
* Lead and support business development activities, including bids and strategic pursuits
* Shape opportunities across ERP, data, digital transformation, integration and wider programmes
* Deliver high-value advisory work with accountability for sector performance and commercial outcomes
* Work closely with advisory, digital, cyber and technology teams to design tailored client solutions
* Provide sector leadership internally by identifying trends, sharing insight and guiding colleagues on manufacturing opportunities
* Support account planning, cross-selling and long-term partnership development across the Waterstons portfolio
What we're looking for
If some (or most) of the following sound like you, we'd love to hear from you:
* 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
Nice to have
* 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
How We Take Care of You
As well as offering a competitive salary, we have an attractive benefits package including:
* A healthy work life balance with flexible and agile working being the norm
* Unlimited holiday allowance
* EV car scheme (salary sacrifice)
* Room to grow with supported development opportunities and sponsored training
* Enhanced family policies
* If you ever need it, company sick pay and life assurance
* Supported wellbeing with regular initiatives, an employee assistance programme and private medical insurance
* Flexible benefits such as a dental scheme, eye care support, season ticket loan and cycle to work
* We require a security check to be carried out on all colleagues due to the nature of some of our clients’ industries.
Waterstons is committed to creating and an inclusive, understanding, and flexible place to work. We value diversity, equality and inclusion and encourage everyone to 'bring their whole selves' to work. We believe that a company that works to truly embrace and value diversity, create an environment where everyone from any background can do their best work, and feel valued and appreciated is a better company to work for.
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