Category Manager

The Category Manager will develop and deliver end-to-end category strategies across short, medium, and long-term horizons, driving value while managing commercial risk.

They provide market insight, lead sourcing activities, and act as the commercial expert, adapting quickly to market changes to secure optimal outcomes. The role also oversees supplier performance and relationships, ensuring continuous improvement and alignment with business objectives while delivering measurable value.

We’re growing our dynamic, forward-thinking procurement team and offering the opportunity to be part of our most significant investment programme in over 100 years.

What you’ll be doing as a Category Manager 

• Engage proactively with internal stakeholders to shape category approach, business needs, spend and suppliers.
• Be seen by the business as the Procurement / Commercial expert for the category, providing market insight and a deep understanding of supply market dynamics, regulatory frameworks, suppliers, and emerging technical innovations.
• Identify and prioritise a sourcing pipeline as part of category development.
• Lead category projects and sourcing events, adhering to the required approach.
• Negotiating with suppliers on all commercial and contractual matters and applying judgment as to what constitutes an acceptable level of contractual risk and supply resilience.
• Lead the review of supplier opportunities, innovations, and improvements.
• Operate information systems to the required standard to maintain accurate and secure records.
• Ensure timely and accurate reporting on the sourcing projects using available reporting tools.

Base location – Hybrid – Clear Water Court Reading

Necessary requirements for the role – Occasional site and supplier visits

We are looking for several Category Managers to join our Water, Waste, Retail and Digital category teams

What you should bring to the role
To thrive in this role, the essential criteria you’ll need is:

• Understanding and experience of operating in complex supply chain environments.
• Ability to challenge industry norms and proactively seek out opportunities to deliver sustained improvements in performance.
• Track record in continuous improvement and ability to deliver against stretching targets.
• Good understanding of pre and post deal processes and how better information and improvements in process can deliver value to the organisation.
• Experience of working with key suppliers.
• Ability to analyse data.
• Holistically manage risk.
• Capable of managing categories up to £100m in value.

What’s in it for you? 

• Competitive salary
• Annual Leave - 26 days holiday per year, increasing to 30 with the length of service (plus bank holidays)
• Performance-related pay plan directly linked to company performance measures and targets.
• Generous Pension Scheme through AON.
• Access to lots of benefits to help you take care of you and your family’s health and wellbeing, and your finances – from annual health MOTs and access to physiotherapy and counselling, to Cycle to Work schemes, shopping vouchers and life assurance.

Find out more about our benefits and perks (Please note different T&Cs apply if on secondment)

Who are we?

We’re the UK’s largest water and wastewater company, with more than 16 million customers relying on us every day to supply water for their taps and toilets. We want to build a better future for all, helping our customers, communities, people, and the planet to thrive. It’s a big job and we’ve got a long way to go, so we need help from passionate and skilled people, committed to making a difference and getting us to where we want to be in the years and decades to come.
Learn more about our purpose and values

Working at Thames Water

Thames Water is a unique, rewarding, and diverse place to work, where every day you can make a difference, yet no day is the same. As part of our family, you’ll enjoy meaningful career opportunities, flexible working arrangements and excellent benefits.

If you’re looking for a sustainable and successful career where you can make a daily difference to millions of people’s lives while helping to protect the world of water for future generations, we’ll be here to support you every step of the way. Together, we can build a better future for our customers, our region, and our planet.

Real purpose, real support, real opportunities. Come and join the Thames Water family. Why choose us? Learn more.

We’re committed to being a great, diverse, and inclusive place to work. We welcome applications from everyone and want to ensure you feel supported throughout the recruitment process. If you need any adjustments, whether that’s extra time, accessible formats, or anything else just let us know, we’re here to help and support.

When a crisis happens, we all rally around to support our customers. As part of Team Thames, you’ll have the opportunity to sign up to support our customers on the frontline as an ambassador. Full training will be given for what is undoubtedly an incredibly rewarding experience. It’s also a great opportunity to learn more about our business and meet colleagues.

Disclaimer: due to the high volume of applications we receive, we may close the advert earlier than the advertised date, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.