Supplier Engagement & Contract Management Manager

Job Title: Supplier Engagement & Contract Management Manager

Location: Falmer (hybrid typically 23 days per week in the office)
Contract Type: Permanent
Hours: Full time
Salary: Up to 48000 per annum competitive benefits

About the role

Were 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 relationshipled 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.

Youll 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 daytoday contract negotiations.

Working closely with Procurement Capital Delivery and Commercial teams youll help ensure strong transparent supplier partnerships that support Southern Waters 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 Waters 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 youll 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 Waters supplier relationships. Through effective governance commercial oversight and strong collaboration youll help drive improved performance reduce risk and strengthen long-term supplier partnerships that directly support Southern Waters strategic and operational goals.

About Southern Water

Southern Water is at the forefront of transforming Britains water industry investing significantly to enhance resilience sustainability and service excellence. With 7.8bn planned investment for 202530 this is an unparalleled opportunity to join a business committed to delivering a generational shift in the way water services are managed.

Youll 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 youre passionate about making a positive impact wed love to hear from you even if you dont 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 preemployment checks including right to work DBS and security vetting.

#LI-AW1
#LI-Hybrid