Strategic Market Manager

About the role

United Utilities is looking for a Strategic Market Manager to lead business‑critical and medium‑to‑high spend categories. The role will develop integrated market strategies, partner with senior stakeholders and aim to generate multi‑million‑pound savings across a spend portfolio of up to £300 million.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and implement integrated market strategies for complex spend categories with significant business impact.
• Maintain value‑based relationships with senior stakeholders using a full business‑partnering framework.
• Collaborate to build a qualified savings and benefits pipeline aligned with financial budgets.
• Transition strategies to sourcing‑led execution or supplier collaboration.
• Provide market expertise, introduce innovation and competitive advantages.
• Conduct external benchmark assessments and create Total Cost of Ownership models.
• Lead and develop a team of Category Managers, contributing to the wider Category Management function.

Required profile

• Degree level education with a relevant postgraduate qualification (e.g., CIPS, RICS, MBA, MSc).
• Significant experience leading business‑critical spend categories, preferably in the utilities sector.
• Proven senior‑level stakeholder management and business‑partnering capability.
• Demonstrable line‑management experience.
• Strong negotiation and dispute‑resolution skills.
• Ability to influence directly and indirectly in large, complex organisations.

Required skills

What we offer

• Pay rate of £350 per day (Umbrella/Inside IR35).
• Initial six‑month fixed‑term contract.