Are you passionate about making a real difference in how things work behind the scenes? Thames Water is looking for a proactive and experienced leader to join our Financial Customer Care team as Third-Party Supplier Manager. In this important role, you’ll focus on driving operational success and helping us deliver the very best in billing and collections.

We’re after someone who knows what it takes to build great partnerships and consistently improve how our suppliers perform—making sure we meet and exceed key targets, not just tick boxes. You’ll work closely with our Water Only Companies (WOCs) and Water and Sewerage Companies (WASCs), championing strong working relationships and continuous improvement, without getting bogged down in procurement or contract details. Your leadership will help ensure we keep up our high standards for customer care, robust governance, and smooth-running operations.

What you will be doing as the Third-Party Supplier Manager

  • Build and manage strong relationships with four or five water companies, focusing on operational measures and successes, rather than procurement or contract setup.
  • Lead regular business reviews with all WOCs and WASCs.
  • Monitor and analyse performance across KPIs, sharing insights with key stakeholders.
  • Manage supplier relationships to drive excellence in billing and cash collection.
  • Oversee audit requirements and produce regular reports for senior leadership.
  • Lead Thames-led projects with WOCs and WASCs from planning to completion.
  • Manage change control processes and ensure contractual compliance.
  • Identify opportunities to improve overall stock performance and propose initiatives.
  • Deliver performance updates to finance and other key stakeholders.
  • Provide line management, including 121s, performance reviews, and team development.
  • Champion effective change management across the team.

Location: Hybrid - Walnut Court - SN2 8BN.

Hours: 36 hours Monday to Friday.

What you should bring to the role:

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

  • Proven track record of supplier management, with emphasis on relationship management over procurement or category buying.
  • Experience managing third-party suppliers in a billing and collections environment (ideally within utilities, financial services, or other regulated sectors). Good understanding of billing and debt collection processes.
  • Proactive and considered impact analysis of MI reports.
  • Ability to identify and provide the most appropriate presentation methods to differing roles and knowledge levels across the business.
  • Knowledge of key performance drivers for effective performance management.
  • Ability to lead, train and coach clearly and professionally, ensuring directional clarity is achieved.
  • Versatile, with the ability to adapt quickly to the changing needs of a rapidly developing business.
  • Willingness to collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, including regular reviews and feedback on adverts and role requirements.

What’s in it for you?

  • Competitive starting salary of £45,000 and up to £55,000 per annum, depending on skills and experience (reflecting market feedback and the need to attract candidates with the right level of expertise).
  • Annual leave: 26 days holiday per year, increasing to 30 days with the length of service. (plus bank holidays).
  • Performance-related pay plan directly linked to company performance measures and targets
  • Generous Pension Scheme through AON.
  • Access to lots of benefits to help you take care of your and your family’s health and well-being, and your finances – from annual health MOTs and access to physiotherapy and counselling to Cycle to Work schemes, shopping vouchers and life assurance.

Find out more about our benefits and perks

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.