Job Purpose Summary:
The Procurement Business Partner will support the Head of Capital Procurement on major capital infrastructure projects, working with a multi-functional team.
Key Accountabilities:
- Line management of Capital Projects Sourcing Manager/s.
- Providing a high calibre and professional commercial service to support the delivery of the portfolio of major capital projects within Thames Water.
- Identifying and achieving opportunities for totex efficiencies and delivery of improved business outcomes by developing and pursuing appropriate commercial strategies in conjunction with key stakeholders.
- Negotiating and managing robust capital delivery contracts in full compliance with EU procurement regulations.
Key Accountabilities:
- Deliver excellent value-for-money commercial arrangements, following the Thames Water Capital Procurement methodology and wider Commercial team processes.
- Work with project sponsors and other key stakeholders to develop a comprehensive procurement brief identifying the key drivers, requirements, assumptions and constraints for the project.
- Manage Commercial and external resources allocated to projects.
- Identify options in terms of delivery models, commercial architectures, contractual mechanisms and procurement routes to deliver the desired outcomes.
- Work with project sponsors and other stakeholders to progress timely decision making in order to agree on requirements and finalise options.
- Prepare and agree with stakeholders an insight-led procurement delivery plan for each project.
- Prepare Gate Packs to gain formal approval within governance processes.
- Lead all commercial activities in the procurement of major projects from end-to-end – market engagement, PQQ, tender, negotiation, and award.
- Gaining stakeholder sign off to key tender and contract documentation and approaches including evaluation criteria and negotiation strategies.
- Ensure effective handover to Contract Managers on the award of the contract, including follow up on any outstanding or post-award requirements.
- Provide advice to contract management teams, supporting the resolution of issues and any post-contract disputes.
- Feeding lessons learnt into new projects.
- Provide feedback to Supplier Relationship Managers on Supplier performance during the procurement process.
- Monitor and report progress of procurement plans, managing key risks and resolving issues.
- Ensure procurement activities are executed in compliance with Thames Water and OJEU requirements.
- Be an active member in shaping strategies and approaches as part of the cross-functional teams supporting major projects.
- Be assertive and challenging, acting as a peer to other senior stakeholder holding them to account for compliance, adherence to policies and timescales.
- Demonstrate leadership within your team by always striving for the highest standards of professionalism, high energy, commitment and best-practice.
- Contribute to the delivery of your team’s targets by maintaining a fast pace in all your projects, and challenging others to do the same.
- Design and implement monitoring and measurement processes to ensure that the performance of key delivery partners is subject to objective scrutiny.
- Identify and suggest ways in which the Capital Procurement Team can improve its own performance (e.g. in the speed of delivery, the value of savings, customer service, improvements to Commercial Management Systems etc).
Skills, Qualifications, Experience – Minimum Required:
- Demonstrates positive leadership behaviours aligned with the Thames Water Values.
- Typically, degree and/or professional qualification (CIPS/RICS/IACMM).
- 7-10 years of strategic sourcing in a multi-stakeholder and multi-site environment, preferably of infrastructure construction projects.
- Track record of developing procurement and contracting strategies for large £50m+ built asset projects in Utilities - deep knowledge and understanding of the implications of Utilities Contract Regulations (OJEU) on procurement events.
- Deep knowledge of standard industry contract forms i.e. NEC, IChemE and/or FIDIC and the risk profiles associated with each and experience of amendment drafting desirable.
- Experience of delivering procurement events from end-to-end; including strategy, market engagement, tender, negotiation, and award.
- Understanding of the technical engineering aspects of built assets, and an ability to ask the right questions and challenge appropriately – water networks and process knowledge highly desirable.
- Understanding of different infrastructure delivery vehicles (EPC, ECI, Alliancing, Frameworks) for both services (Design, planning, environmental, PMO & Commercial) and works delivery.
- Understanding of principles of UK regulatory frameworks for network utilities (e.g. Ofwat, Ofgem).
- Understanding of the value and risk drivers of the current and potential Thames Water supply chain and what is required to attract the right partners.
- Strong communication skills both written and verbal.
- Shows an understanding of how to build trust with customers and stakeholders through their interactions and are confident in managing relationships with senior stakeholders.
- Demonstrates leadership and direction for teams and/or subject matter experts.
- Self-starter, resilient and tenacious under pressure with an ability to think creatively to solve complex challenges with low levels of definition.
What’s in it for you?
Our competitive salary and package include a competitive bonus, car allowance, private healthcare, an excellent contributory pension, 26 days holiday. There is also a wider benefits scheme which includes an annual pay review, season ticket loans and loyalty awards for continuous service plus discounts at a wide range of retailers via Benefits on Taps.
We’re proud to be here for our local community, offering all of our teams two days paid volunteer leave a year, as well as proudly supporting a lot of local events and charities.
Click here to view our full list of Rewards and Benefits
About us:
Thames Water is the UK’s largest water and wastewater company. We make a daily difference to millions of customers by supplying 2.7 billion litres of world-class water to around 10 million homes.
As our world changes, the need to take care of our most precious resource is greater than ever, both locally and globally. That’s why, at Thames Water, every one of our actions, big and small, matters every day. Water is essential to daily life, and that means our business is always open. We’re passionate about providing world-class tap water, now and for the future.
We’re also turning waste into power, self-generating 20% of the energy we use and, in turn, doing our bit for the planet. We’re reducing plastic waste by celebrating our tap water and rolling out an ambitious water fountain project. We’re using our voice to lobby for change and partnering with WaterAid to provide clean water to the world’s poorest communities.
Together, we’re building a better future for our customers, our region and our planet.
Thames Water is a unique, rewarding and diverse place to work. If you join our team, you’ll enjoy fast-tracked career opportunities, flexible working arrangements and unparalleled benefits. We’re also proud to be an equal opportunity employer, Stonewall Diversity Champion and Disability Confident Leader, welcoming individuals from all walks of life and leading the way with award-winning mental health and well-being strategy.