Category Manager page is loaded## Category Managerlocations: Worthingtime type: Full timeposted on: Posted Todaytime left to apply: End Date: April 16, 2026 (13 days left to apply)job requisition id: JR8159**Closing Date**2026-04-16## **Job Title: Category & Sourcing Manager (Operations)**## **Location:** Durrington, Worthing (Hybrid – 2 days per week on site)**Contract Type:** Permanent## **Hours:** 37 hours per week, flexible working options considered## **Salary:** Up to £55,000 per annum + excellent benefits## **About the role**There’s never been a more exciting time to join Southern Water. We’re on a mission to create a more sustainable and resilient future – tackling climate change, reducing our carbon footprint, and delivering long‐term value for our customers and communities.As part of this journey, we are strengthening our Procurement Division and investing in talent that can influence change at scale. We’re now looking for a **Category & Sourcing Manager (Operations)** to support our operational teams by delivering effective, compliant, and value‐driven procurement solutions across goods and services critical to our asset base.In this role, you’ll take ownership of operational procurement categories, running multiple sourcing activities in parallel and working closely with internal stakeholders to ensure Southern Water achieves the best possible commercial and sustainability outcomes.## **What you will be responsible for:*** Developing and delivering category strategies aligned to operational and organisational objectives* Managing end‐to‐end sourcing activities, including tendering, evaluation, and contract award across operational goods and services* Partnering with stakeholders across operations to understand demand, challenge requirements, and shape effective sourcing solutions* Driving value through cost optimisation, standardisation, and demand aggregation, while ensuring compliance with procurement regulations* Managing supplier relationships to support performance, resilience, and continuous improvement* Championing best practice, innovation, and continuous improvement within the procurement function## **What you’ll bring to the role**### **Essential*** Proven experience in a Category or Sourcing role within an operational, engineering, manufacturing, construction, or asset‐focused environment* Knowledge of public sector procurement regulations, including **PA23** (experience with UCR is also advantageous)* Experience running multiple procurement exercises concurrently and managing competing priorities* Confident stakeholder management and negotiation skills* A proactive, solutions‐focused mindset with strong commercial and analytical capability### **Desirable*** CIPS qualification (or working towards)* Experience procuring operational goods, equipment, hardware, or services within a regulated environment## **About Southern Water**Southern Water is at the forefront of transforming Britain’s water industry, with **£7.8bn of planned investment for 2025–2030** to enhance resilience, sustainability, and service excellence. This is a unique opportunity to join a business committed to making a generational difference in how water services are delivered.You’ll be joining at a time of significant change, working alongside experienced leaders with a clear vision for the future. We offer an environment where talented professionals can influence important decisions, develop their careers, and make a meaningful impact.At Southern Water, we believe diverse perspectives drive innovation. If you’re passionate about making a difference and feel you could add value to our team, we’d love to hear from you – even if you don’t tick every box.## **Our Commitment to Diversity**We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, identities, and experiences. We do not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, or any other protected characteristic. If you require reasonable adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process, please let us know.## **Additional information**In line with Southern Water’s security requirements, successful candidates will be required to undertake pre‐employment checks, including identity verification, right‐to‐work checks, DBS, and employment/education history verification.#LI-AW1 #LI-Hybrid* We reserve the right to close this advertisement early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications, so if you are interested in the position please do send your application over today to ensure consideration.* We truly appreciate every application. Please note, that due to the volume of interest, we may not be able to provide personalised feedback to all applicants.### Our Benefits* Company and performance-related bonus* Generous pension with up to 11% company contribution* Life assurance payment equal to four times your annual salary* Health benefits through a Cash Plan* Two paid community volunteering days a year* 25 days annual holiday* Occupational health service* Retail discount app* We offer competitive maternity leave, and flexible return to work options
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