Strategic Market Manager

United Utilities are seeking a Strategic Market Manager to lead business-critical and medium to high spend categories, focusing on integrated and evolving market strategies. This role is pivotal in operating a full business partnering model with key stakeholders while maximising savings and benefits delivery. The ideal applicant will be accountable for influencing contracted spend up to £300m and creating a multi-million pound savings and benefits profile.

Day-to-day of the role:

• Develop and implement integrated market strategies for complex, medium to high spend categories with significant business impact.
• Establish and sustain value-based relationships with senior stakeholders, utilising a full business partnering framework to integrate category strategies and meet all risk, legislative, and regulatory requirements.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to create a qualified savings and benefits pipeline, ensuring alignment with financial budgets.
• Foster a collaborative working environment with stakeholders to ensure successful transition of strategies to sourcing-led execution or supplier collaboration strategies.
• Provide expert market management advice, introducing innovation and competitive advantages through market knowledge.
• Conduct external category benchmark assessments and develop a Total Cost of Ownership model to deliver full lifecycle value.
• Lead and develop a team of Category Managers, contributing to the overall development of the Category Management team.

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• Preferably degree educated with a relevant post-graduate qualification (e.g., CIPS, RICS, MBA, MSc).
• Significant experience in leading business-critical spend categories.
• Proven senior-level stakeholder management and business partnering skills.
• Demonstrable line management experience.
• Proficient in category management processes, tools, and methodologies.
• Strong negotiation and dispute resolution skills.
• Ability to use direct and indirect influencing strategies effectively.
• Problem-solving experience in large, complex organisations.
• Knowledge of the Utilities market sector will be advantageous