Supplier Engagement & Contract Management Manager page is loaded## Supplier Engagement & Contract Management Managerlocations: FALMER: Worthingtime type: Full timeposted on: Posted Todaytime left to apply: End Date: April 21, 2026 (13 days left to apply)job requisition id: JR8219**Closing Date**2026-04-21## **Job Title:** Supplier Engagement & Contract Management Manager**Location:** Falmer (hybrid – typically 2–3 days per week in the office) **Contract Type:** Permanent **Hours:** Full time **Salary:** Up to £48,000 per annum + competitive benefits## **About the role**We’re looking for a **Supplier Engagement & Contract Management Manager** to play a pivotal role in how Southern Water works with its strategic capital supply chain.This is a highly collaborative, relationship‐led role, suited to someone with experience in **supplier relationship management**, **account management**, or **stakeholder-facing commercial roles** who enjoys acting as the bridge between internal teams and external partners.You’ll be responsible for nurturing long-term supplier relationships, leading governance and escalation activities, and ensuring contractual frameworks are applied effectively to protect both performance and value – without owning day‐to‐day contract negotiations.Working closely with Procurement, Capital Delivery and Commercial teams, you’ll help ensure strong, transparent supplier partnerships that support Southern Water’s operational and strategic ambitions.## **What you will be responsible for**### **Supplier & Stakeholder Engagement*** Develop and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with strategic suppliers, acting as a trusted point of contact and escalation.* Build an effective interface between internal stakeholders and suppliers to enable joint value creation.* Manage internal stakeholder expectations and facilitate constructive, transparent engagement.* Act as a bridge between Southern Water and suppliers – ensuring supplier perspectives are heard while also holding internal teams accountable.* Travel periodically to supplier sites to strengthen relationships and support effective partnership working.### **Contract & Relationship Management*** Ensure adherence to established contract and supplier management processes.* Maintain oversight of all contracts within your portfolio, ensuring plans are in place for extensions, renewals or close-out.* Manage contract variations, ensuring rigour and consistency in any changes to commercial or operational terms.* Act as a point of escalation for contractual or performance-related issues, supporting dispute resolution where required.* Protect Southern Water’s commercial and contractual position while minimising contractual risk.### **Commercial & Performance Management*** Understand and apply commercial contract mechanisms and levers.* Aggregate supplier performance data and provide clear, structured feedback to suppliers and stakeholders.* Work collaboratively with suppliers, internal stakeholders and procurement colleagues to develop and deliver performance improvement plans.* Support Procurement Category Managers with sourcing and supplier governance activities as required.## **What you’ll bring to the role**### **Essential*** Proven experience in **supplier relationship management**, **account management**, or similar stakeholder-facing roles within a complex environment.* Strong commercial acumen with the ability to understand and manage contractual frameworks.* Excellent communication, influencing and negotiation skills, with confidence engaging stakeholders at all levels.* Strong analytical and problem-solving capability, particularly in resolving escalated or complex issues.* Ability to work autonomously, manage your own workload, and balance competing priorities.### **Desirable*** Experience working in infrastructure, capital delivery, utilities, or a regulated environment.* Exposure to procurement or category management environments.* Experience operating in a role blending **relationship manager** and **commercial governance** responsibilities.## **What this role delivers**The Supplier Engagement & Contract Management Manager plays a crucial role in maximising value from Southern Water’s supplier relationships. Through effective governance, commercial oversight and strong collaboration, you’ll help drive improved performance, reduce risk and strengthen long-term supplier partnerships that directly support Southern Water’s strategic and operational goals.## **About Southern Water**Southern Water is at the forefront of transforming Britain’s water industry, investing significantly to enhance resilience, sustainability, and service excellence. With £7.8bn planned investment for 2025–30, this is an unparalleled opportunity to join a business committed to delivering a generational shift in the way water services are managed.You’ll be joining during a period of significant change, working alongside a skilled leadership team with a clear vision for the future. We offer an environment where you can make a meaningful impact and help shape how we work with our suppliers.At Southern Water, we believe diverse perspectives drive innovation. If you’re passionate about making a positive impact, 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 and identities. If you need reasonable adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process, please let us know.### **Additional information**Appointment to this role is subject to satisfactory pre‐employment checks, including right to work, DBS and security vetting.#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
#J-18808-Ljbffr