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 highly collaborative, relationship‑led role is 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.
Essential
What you’ll bring to the role
* 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.
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.
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