Closing Date
2026-03-16
Job Title: Contract & Supplier Management Manager
Location: Durrington or Falmer (with regular travel across the region)
Contract Type: Permanent
Hours: Full time (flexible working, part time and job share considered)
Salary: Up to £48,000 per annum, plus competitive benefits
About the role
Southern Water’s Supplier Engagement and Contract Management (SECM) discipline plays a critical role in ensuring our suppliers deliver strong performance, value for money and safe, compliant services across our operational environment.
As a Contract & Supplier Management Manager, you will be responsible for the direct commercial and contractual management of approximately 30–40 operational contracts, working closely with suppliers and internal stakeholders to maximise value, manage risk and resolve issues before they impact service delivery.
This is a highly visible role that combines strong relationship management with commercial discipline. You will lead performance reviews, manage contractual escalations and disputes, and ensure best practice contract lifecycle management is applied consistently across your portfolio. You’ll also work closely with the Category Management team, supporting sourcing activity and ensuring contracts are commercially robust, competitive and fit for purpose.
With significant time spent out on site and engaging directly with suppliers, this role is ideal for someone confident in holding suppliers to account, navigating challenging conversations and protecting the interests of the business.
What you will be responsible for:
1. Delivering the contract and supplier management strategy for assigned contracts, as directed by the Senior Manager
2. Managing supplier relationships from a commercial perspective, fostering transparent, collaborative and productive partnerships
3. Leading regular contract and supplier performance reviews, aggregating performance data and business feedback to drive improvement plans
4. Managing commercial and contractual escalations, disputes and non-performance issues, applying appropriate remedies and improvement actions
5. Ensuring adherence to contract lifecycle management best practice, governance processes, tools and templates
6. Monitoring overall contract compliance, including performance metrics, plan accuracy, asset utilisation and change control
7. Maintaining a central opportunity and issue log, sharing insights with the Centre of Excellence to improve contracting frameworks
8. Supporting the Category Management team with sourcing activity, contract development, legal review and governance throughout the procurement lifecycle
9. Driving a culture of continuous improvement, identifying opportunities to enhance supplier and contract management practices
10. Reporting performance against agreed KPIs, escalating risks and issues where required
What you’ll bring to the role
Essential
11. Proven experience in contract and supplier management within an operational or regulated environment
12. Strong commercial acumen with the confidence to manage contractual disputes and supplier escalations
13. Excellent stakeholder and relationship management skills, including the ability to influence at senior levels
14. Experience leading performance reviews and using data to drive supplier improvement
15. Confidence handling difficult and high‑stakes conversations while protecting organisational interests
16. A full UK driving licence and willingness to travel regularly across operational sites
Desirable
17. Experience within utilities, infrastructure, engineering or water and wastewater environments
18. Knowledge of contract lifecycle management best practice and governance frameworks
19. Experience supporting sourcing activity and working alongside category or procurement teams
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 at a time of significant change, working alongside a highly skilled leadership team with a clear vision for the future. We offer an environment where you can make a meaningful impact, influence strategic decisions and drive long‑term value creation.
At Southern Water, we believe diverse perspectives drive innovation. If you’re passionate about making a positive impact and think you can bring value to our team, we’d love to hear from you — even if you don’t tick every box.
If this role isn’t quite right but you’d like to hear about future opportunities at Southern Water, you can register your interest via our Introduce Yourself page.
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 need reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know.
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