Digital Senior Category Manager

Overview

As a Digital Senior Category Manager you will be a commercial expert in the category you lead, using market expertise to develop and deliver strategies that keep Thames Water market‑leading in commercial arrangements. This role supports all commercial activity for Cybersecurity and Networks, enabling the delivery of major projects for Digital Turnaround initiatives.

Base

Location:

Reading – Hybrid
Working Pattern: 36 hours per week

• Support Information Security, Networks and Telecoms suppliers with all commercial requirements, including project delivery contracts, software renewals, and new software sourcing activities.
• Work with stakeholders to provide commercial advice and embed commercial compliance across the category.
• Produce category plans to support pipeline planning and ongoing commercial strategy.
• Manage a portfolio of suppliers, ensuring contracted expectations continue to improve throughout the contract life cycle and support suppliers in delivering additional value to Thames Water.
• Lead, develop and manage end‑to‑end category strategies for the short, medium and long term, identifying a pipeline of initiatives to maximise value and outcomes while balancing commercial risk.
• Provide extensive category knowledge and supply market insight to internal stakeholders, delivering category strategies, sourcing events and managing category‑level risks.
• Act as the commercial expert for the category, enabling Thames Water to adapt quickly to market changes.

• Experience influencing senior stakeholders to embed best practice commercial governance.
• Ability to manage multiple projects within the category, prioritising tasks effectively.
• Experience in a digital commercial role with understanding of key digital commercial models, including software and project delivery.
• Detailed knowledge of the external supply market, including suppliers, trends, innovation and market dynamics to identify new suppliers of value.
• Strong engagement skills to support, influence and constructively challenge stakeholders for optimal commercial outcomes.
• Clear understanding of Category Management principles with a track record of delivering results across several category areas.
• Ability to lead and provide insight on supply market dynamics, regulatory frameworks, suppliers and technical innovations.
• Ability to identify market insights, trends, opportunities and risks.
• Experience managing categories up to £100m in value with significant strategic risk.
• Experience negotiating with suppliers on all commercial and contractual matters, assessing acceptable levels of contractual risk and supply resilience.

• Competitive salary up to £78,000 per annum
• Annual leave – 26 days per year, increasing to 30 with length of service (plus bank holidays)
• Car allowance – £5,800
• Annual bonus
• Private medical health care
• Contributory pension – Defined Contribution, maximum of 12% – 2x employee contribution
• Personal medical assessments – open to all once a year
• Wider benefits scheme, including our benefits hub with offers and information to support wellbeing

We’re the UK’s largest water and wastewater company, supporting over 16 million customers who rely on us for water supply. We aim to build a better future for all, helping customers, communities and the planet thrive.

Thames Water offers a rewarding and diverse work environment with meaningful career opportunities, flexible working arrangements and excellent benefits. We are committed to diversity and inclusion and welcome applications from everyone.

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.