This is an exciting opportunity to join a collaborative and forward-thinking team that influences key business decisions, drives sustainable change, and helps ensure our commercial activities make a lasting positive impact for Yorkshire and the environment.

Where you fit in!

As our Commercial Sustainability Lead you will;

• Lead the development and delivery of sustainable procurement strategies that support Yorkshire Water's ESG ambitions, Net Zero commitments, regulatory requirements, and long-term business objectives.
• Embed sustainability, social value, and responsible sourcing principles into procurement activities, tender processes, supplier selection, and contract management across the commercial lifecycle.
• Partner with Procurement, Capital Delivery, and Operational teams to ensure sustainability considerations are integrated into AMP programmes and major investment activities from inception through to delivery.
• Build strong relationships with suppliers, driving improvements in environmental performance, ethical labour practices, resource efficiency, and wider social value outcomes across the supply chain.
• Identify and manage sustainability-related supply chain risks, including carbon, climate change, biodiversity, resilience, and responsible sourcing considerations.
• Support the measurement, monitoring, and reduction of Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions, promoting low-carbon solutions, circular economy principles, and innovative approaches that reduce environmental impact.
• Contribute to contract negotiations, supplier performance reviews, and governance forums, ensuring sustainability objectives are commercially practical, measurable, and deliverable.
• Champion sustainable procurement best practice across Yorkshire Water, supporting regulatory reporting, assurance activities, and the delivery of meaningful environmental, social, and customer benefits.

What skills & qualifications you will need:

• A bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Procurement, Sustainability, Environmental Management, or a related discipline, with proven experience in procurement, supply chain, sustainability, or commercial roles.
• Strong knowledge of sustainable procurement principles, ESG frameworks, responsible sourcing practices, and environmental, social, and governance considerations within complex supply chains.
• Experience embedding sustainability requirements into procurement strategies, tenders, contracts, and supplier management activities to deliver measurable environmental, social, and commercial benefits.
• Proven experience working within infrastructure, utilities, construction, or other regulated environments, with an understanding of how commercial decisions support wider business, customer, and regulatory outcomes.
• Commercially aware with the ability to balance cost, risk, compliance, and sustainability objectives, ensuring value-for-money solutions while supporting Yorkshire Water's long-term environmental commitments.
• Excellent stakeholder management, communication, and influencing skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships and engage effectively with suppliers, colleagues, senior leaders, and external partners.
• Strong analytical and reporting skills, with experience using data and insights to assess supplier performance, identify risks, monitor sustainability outcomes, and provide meaningful reporting to senior stakeholders.
• Knowledge of sustainable procurement and environmental frameworks such as ISO 20400, the UN Sustainable Development Goals, carbon accounting, lifecycle assessments, circular economy principles, or social value measurement would be advantageous, alongside the ability to manage competing priorities and deliver high-quality outcomes in a fast-paced environment.

You will also benefit from having:

• CIPS qualification or working toward it.
• Sustainability certifications (e.g., ISO 14001 Lead Auditor, GHG Accounting, CSR/ESG credentials).
• Experience with carbon reporting or lifecycle assessment tools.
• Experience working in an organisation with established sustainability goals.

Although we operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, it’s important to us that we support flexible working patterns and job share options (when we can), to help you make the best of both your work and home life. We know that juggling childcare responsibilities or getting that ideal work/life balance isn’t always easy!

Do we sound like your cup of tea?

If you’ve got experience any of these areas and want to help us deliver great service for our customers whilst looking after the environment, then be sure to apply today to find out what a career with Yorkshire Water can offer you.

Add advert closing date is 13th October 2026.

If successful for the role, you will be required to undergo pre-employment checks that will include a Basic Disclosure Check, carried out through a Third-Party Company, prior to commencing employment. Depending on the role, you may also be required to go through the security vetting process for either a Counter Terrorist Check or Security Check clearance.

All our roles are subject to a medical questionnaire, and further medicals when required.

We are committed to removing barriers and ensuring our recruitment process is accessible to everyone. We offer a range of adjustments to make your application experience as comfortable and straightforward as possible.

If you have an accessibility need, disability, or condition that requires changes to the recruitment process, please include this information in your application. We will then discuss any reasonable adjustments required.

Kelda Group reserve the right to close this position before the published closing date, should the need occur. We therefore advise that you complete and submit your application as soon as possible.

No agencies please.