Where you fit in:

As our Supplier Relationship Manager you will

• Champion and embed Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) principles, governance frameworks, and best practices across Yorkshire Water, driving a consistent strategic approach to supplier engagement and preventing a drift into transactional behaviours.
• Provide leadership, coaching, and guidance to relationship owners and stakeholders, supporting the ongoing development and maturity of SRM processes, governance structures, tools, and ways of working.
• Support operational leads in managing strategic and critical supplier relationships, ensuring alignment with business objectives and fostering trusted partnerships that deliver long-term mutual value.
• Facilitate structured engagement between Yorkshire Water and suppliers, identifying and mitigating risks while maximising opportunities for collaboration, innovation, and improved performance.
• Drive value creation through continuous improvement initiatives, cost efficiencies, supplier innovation, and the delivery of measurable business benefits while embedding ESG priorities across supplier performance frameworks.
• Promote and enhance the effective use of SRM tools, including supplier relationship reviews, innovation hubs, scorecards, and performance dashboards, ensuring insights are translated into actionable outcomes.
• Lead supplier engagement strategies, forums, and communications, acting as a key escalation point for complex relationship issues and strengthening Yorkshire Water’s reputation as a collaborative and forward-thinking partner.
• Work collaboratively across Commercial, Operations, Procurement, Finance, and ESG teams to drive cultural change, manage strategic risks, ensure regulatory compliance, promote health and safety excellence, and deliver industry-leading performance, productivity, and continuous improvement.

What skills & qualifications you will need:

• Qualified to at least MCIPS Level 5 or equivalent
• Proven experience in Supplier Relationship Management (SRM), commercial, procurement, or contract management roles, with a strong track record of managing strategic supplier relationships in complex organisations.
• Strong understanding of SRM principles, supplier performance management, continuous improvement methodologies, and the delivery of value through supplier collaboration, innovation, and cost efficiencies.
• Knowledge of commercial and contract management practices, with an understanding of ESG requirements and their application across supply chains and supplier performance frameworks.
• Experience of leading or contributing to SRM programmes and driving best practice, with a focus on continuous improvement, innovation, and identifying new ways of working.
• Excellent communication, influencing, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build effective alliances and engage colleagues, suppliers, and partners to achieve shared business objectives.
• Strong commercial awareness and sound judgement, with the resilience, drive, determination, and disciplined approach required to operate successfully in a complex and changing environment.
• Knowledge of the utility sector, particularly the water industry and its regulatory landscape, with experience of working within regulated or infrastructure-based environments being highly desirable.
• Collaborative, proactive, and relationship-focused leader, committed to outstanding safety performance, organisational excellence, and delivering sustainable business improvements through strong supplier partnerships.

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 as a Supplier Relationship Manager 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.

Closing date – 18th August

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.