Commercial Strategic Marketing Manager

About us

United Utilities (UU) is proud to be ranked #11 in The Inclusive Top 50 UK Employers List. We value diversity, inclusion and innovation in our workplace, and we foster a culture where our people can grow, excel, and be themselves. Whether you work with a team that shares your vision or join a network of peers with similar interests, you will find a welcoming and supportive organisation to be part of and to belong to.

Joining us

We’ve got a lot to offer. You’ll join a thriving FTSE 100 company and will enjoy a range of core benefits that reflect your value and value contribution. These include:

• A generous annual leave package of 26 days, which increases to 30 days after four years of service, in addition to 8 bank holidays
• A competitive pension scheme with up to 14% employer contribution, 21% combined, and life cover
• A 10.5% performance-related bonus scheme, as well as recognition awards for outstanding achievements
• A comprehensive healthcare plan through our company-funded scheme

Our projects are designed to be environmentally and socially responsible and will offer you opportunities to learn and grow throughout the project cycle. We are here to support you in reaching your full potential and thriving in your career and beyond.

The role

We have a brilliant opportunity for you at United Utilities (UU) as a Strategic Market Manager within our Commodities team, working from our headquarters in Lingley Mere, Warrington, Cheshire (hybrid).

UU are experiencing a period of growth and transformation, creating several opportunities within our Commercial function to work alongside our largest and most ambitious new projects. As a Strategic Market Manager, you will take the lead in delivering strategic programme management for complex high spend categories. You’ll be responsible for ensuring seamless collaboration with stakeholders, manage and deliver multiple projects, and innovate and implement new ways of working.

In joining us, you will have full exposure to the organisation, our major projects and our largest industry partners. Stakeholder collaboration is vital for this role. You will therefore need to build strong working relationships, manage key internal and external stakeholders effectively, whilst maximising value for UU and our customers by collaborating with other experts and leading initiatives to tackle challenges unique to our industry, contributing to our success and helping us achieve our objectives.

United Utilities offer dynamic and long-lasting options that will help you grow professionally and personally and you will have the chance to enhance your skill, knowledge and experience in a supportive and collaborative environment. If you are passionate about making a positive difference for the North West of England and want to join us on our journey of transformation, we would love to hear from you. Apply now and become part of the UU family!

Key responsibilities

• Market Strategy: Develop Integrated Market Strategies for complex, medium to high spend categories, with significant business impact. Influencing total contracted spend in the range of up to £300m.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Establish a collaborative way of working with all relevant stakeholders that supports the successful transition of Integrated Market Strategies to relevant Sourcing led execution, Supplier Collaboration Strategy or business change.
• Market Recognition: Recognised for their expert market knowledge and market management experience, providing specialist market management advice. Introduce innovation, expertise and ideas to deliver market led competitive advantage.
• Industry Analysis: Conduct regular external category benchmark assessments, reflected in Integrated Market Strategies, to include competitor market watch assessments, category trend analysis, market dynamics and innovation.
• Leadership: Lead a team of Category Managers and contribute to the development of the Category Management team to maximise value for the organisation by supporting and providing guidance to peers and input into training requirements and fostering team work.

Skills & experience
To be successful with your application, you’ll need to show that you meet the following essential criteria

• Degree-educated with a relevant post-graduate qualification (e.g., CIPS, RICS, MBA, MSC) OR equivalent knowledge/experience.
• Significant experience of leading business critical spend categories.
• Proven senior level stakeholder management and business partnering skillset.
• Knowledge of key category management processes, tools and methodologies.
• Proven level of negotiation and dispute resolution skill set.
• Politically savvy, with the ability to use exemplary direct and indirect influencing strategies.
• Demonstrable level of problem-solving experience and in large, complex organisations.
• Experience with cross-functional collaborative working methods.
• People and team management experience.
• Full UK driving license.

Other

We believe in empowering you to achieve your aspirations and dreams, both in your work and in your life. To help you achieve your goals, we offer a variety of voluntary benefits that you can select according to your needs and preferences.

• Onsite gym and physio lounge with instructor-led gym classes and dedicated physiotherapist, onsite childcare and nursery, free parking and EV charging points, dedicated multi-faith/prayer rooms and free Warrington bus service for UU colleagues
• MyGymDiscounts - gym and wellness benefit that offers up to 25% off on gym memberships and digital fitness subscriptions.
• Best Doctors
• Salary Finance
• Wealth at Work courses
• Deals and discounts
• EVolve Car Scheme
• MORE Choices flexible benefits
• Enhanced parental leave schemes