Utilities Group Category Manager - YWater - SUS

Group Category Manager

Established in 2013, Sapphire Utility Solutions has quickly become the partner of choice for many clients across the UK in our chosen markets.

We provide award winning services to the clean water, wastewater, gas, multi utilities and the highways sector. We are passionate about working alongside our client’s and partners to maintain the utility services essential to modern life throughout the UK.

About The Role

Sapphire Utility Solutions are looking to appoint an experienced utilities focused Group Category Manager who will be responsible for Plant and Equipment Hire including pumps, accommodation as well as waste management. This is a key strategic role responsible for managing national procurement categories across the Lanes Group. The role emphasizes the creation and execution of cost-effective sourcing strategies, supplier negotiations, building and maintaining strong supplier relationships, and the ability to leverage group buying power, all while maintaining high standards of quality.

Location: Preston, Lancashire

Hours: Monday to Friday – 40 Hours per week.

Salary: £55,000 per annum

Responsibilities – But Not Limited To

• All suppliers agreements for Plant Hire and Equipment, Accommodation as well as Waste management across the group (Category spend in excess of £20 Million)
• Ability to work with key stakeholders to identify and promote Group-wide opportunities with a view to develop, tender, implement and manage national categories
• Drive cost reduction initiatives through effective sourcing strategies and supplier negotiations without compromising quality
• Identify opportunities to leverage group buying power
• Negotiate commercial terms, conditions, minimum standards and levels of service (including KPIs) with group-wide category suppliers.
• Management of stakeholders in regards to the procurement processes and procedures ensuring compliance and minimal leakage.
• Take part in both internal and external audits. Responsible for resolving any findings.
• Take responsibility for owning and implementing new legislation requirements ie : Waste Management – to ensure compliance with risk management
• Promote current and future market innovations through collaboration with the supply chain
• Procurement team champion of ESG, including sustainability, carbon, social value and modern slavery within the supply chain
• Resolve supplier performance issues and disputes.
• Ability to bring about and influence business change.
• Ensure your own continuous professional development by participating in external networking/conferences/associations/groups, to stay current on industry changes and innovations.
• Maintain a positive and solution oriented approach to work, providing open and honest feedback.
• Undertake such other duties, training and/or hours of work as may be reasonably required and which are consistent with the general level of responsibility of this role
• In all internal and external contact, present a professional and positive image of the department and Lanes Group as well as maintaining mutually constructive, positive and beneficial relationships.
• Take all reasonable steps to ensure appropriate confidentiality
• All internal database work is to be carried out following company procedures.
• Responsible for continuously gathering Market Intelligence to ensure market competitiveness and transparency of current terms of cooperation with suppliers.
  
  

Experience And Qualifications Required For The Role

• Experienced procurement professional. It is essential that you have a Utility / Wastewater management background
• Significant experience in procurement or supply chain management, at a senior or strategic level (MCIPS Qualified essential)
• Proven ability to manage national categories and large-scale tender processes.
• Experience driving cost reduction initiatives and supplier negotiations without sacrificing quality.
• Expertise in leveraging group buying power for cost efficiency.
• Strong background in working with internal stakeholders and external suppliers to manage procurement processes.
• Experience negotiating commercial terms, service levels, and KPIs with suppliers.
• Track record in managing supplier performance and resolving disputes.
• Proven experience ensuring compliance with procurement processes and maintaining minimal leakage.
• Experience of conducting internal and external audits, as well as resolving audit findings.
• Experience in championing Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals within procurement, particularly related to sustainability, carbon reduction, social value, and modern slavery prevention.
• Knowledge of current market innovations and trends related to sustainability in the supply chain.
• Ability to gather and analyse market intelligence to maintain competitiveness and transparency.
• Expertise in identifying and promoting market innovations within the supply chain.
  
  

What We Offer

• 25 Days Holidays plus bank holidays
• Company Pension
• Company Car or Allowance
• Death in Service x 3
• Employee Assistance / wellness Programme
  
  

This position is open to Internal and External candidates. Any internal candidates currently employed within a division of the Lanes Group must complete an Internal Application form and submit to recruitment.

The Lanes Group plc comprises of a range of established service providers subsidiaries, which complement the specialist service of Lanes, by both work type and geography. Increasing our overall capability, assets and offering to our customers.

Lanes - https://www.lanesgroup.com/

Lanes I - https://lanes-infra.com/

SUS - https://sus.co.uk/

Clearflow - https://www.clearflowltd.com/

AQS - https://aqsenvironmentalsolutions.ie/

S&C Foster - https://www.fozzys.co.uk

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from under-represented members of the community

Strictly no agencies please

SAP