Contracts Manager

The Contracts Manager is responsible for supporting contract management & administration, stakeholder management, supplier engagement and category development activities to maximise value and outcomes for Thames Water, balancing commercial risk and value opportunities.

What you’ll be doing as a Contracts Manager

Contract Management & Administration and Category Development

• The ability to support the Category process for the allocated categories of spend.
• Administer the operation of allocated agreements, including keeping systems and guidance documents up to date and call-offs from these awards.
• Engage proactively with internal stakeholders to shape category approach, business needs, spend and suppliers.
• Support the identification of market insights, trends, opportunities, and risks.

Supplier Management & Stakeholder Management

• Support, and lead where required, on supplier engagement on a particular contract, ensuring agreed value is being delivered from the contract.
• Ensures Thames interests are best represented.
• Work with the Supplier Relationship Manager to liaise with the appropriate teams to execute any contract changes or performance escalations/disputes.
• Build relationships with key internal stakeholders to obtain support and engagement in key initiatives.
• Advise the business on contract and supplier issues and questions, requesting support from the Supplier Relationship Manager where required.

This is a temporary role for 6-9 months with an opportunity to go permanent subject to approval, and successful candidates may be considered for any new role.

What you should bring to the role

To thrive in this role, the essential criteria you’ll need is:

• Experience of contract management & administration in a multi-stakeholder environment.
• Experience in project and performance management.
• Be able to support negotiation and dispute resolution.
• A good networker with the ability to build productive relationships across all areas of the team and collaborate with colleagues to build flexible solutions which work for them and the organisation as a whole.
• Ability proactively seek out opportunities to deliver sustained improvements in performance.

Extra qualities that would be a great fit for our team:

• Chartered Institute Purchasing and Supply – MCIPS (or studying towards); and/or
• Degree educated or equivalent.

What’s in it for you?

Hourly Pay rate: £25-£29 per hour

Location: Hybrid - Clear Water Court Reading

Length of assignment: 26 weeks

Required Start date: ASAP

Hours: 36

Please note you will be on assignment at Thames Water via Pertemps

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.