Senior Procurement Specialist

Job Description

Salary: Up to £62,000 depending on skills and experience

Full time/37 hours per week/permanent

Location: Peterborough and London - Hybrid Working 2-3 days in office weekly with attendance in London as required.

Personal private health care

Double-matched pension

Life assurance at 8 x salary

Anglian Water offers a flexible approach; this role provides you with hybrid working.

Drive high-impact procurement at the heart of one of the UK’s most ambitious infrastructure programmes.

We’re looking for a Senior Procurement Specialist to play a pivotal role in the successful delivery of the multi-billion-pound Anglian Water Reservoirs Programme — a once-in-a-generation initiative securing long-term water resilience for millions.

In this high-profile role, you’ll lead the planning and execution of a complex pipeline of procurement projects, ensuring timely, cost-effective, and compliant outcomes that align with the latest legislation, including the Procurement Act 2023. You’ll combine strategic thinking with sharp commercial insight to manage negotiations, build strong supplier and stakeholder relationships, and drive best value for the Programme.

Using your expert knowledge of procurement and category strategy, you’ll influence at all levels — both internally and across the supply chain — while developing a deep understanding of market dynamics and demand. You’ll also help shape real-time project visibility by generating quality data and ensuring systems are accurate and up to date.

As a senior member of the team, you’ll mentor and support colleagues across the procurement function, helping to build capability, share knowledge, and embed best practice across the Reservoirs Programme.

What you’ll be doing

Aligning to the Programmes’ overarching procurement and supply chain strategy, you will take ownership of a portfolio of procurement projects within the Reservoirs Programme, driving timely delivery while ensuring value, compliance, and effective risk management. Leading supplier selection and commercial negotiations, you’ll collaborate closely with internal stakeholders and the Commercial Team to meet project requirements and maintain strong supplier relationships.

You’ll develop deep market and category knowledge to shape procurement strategies that align with programme needs and wider business goals. Using data and market insights, you’ll identify risks and opportunities, supporting informed decision-making and forecasting.

Post-award, you’ll work with the Commercial Team to monitor contract performance, identify improvement opportunities, and support supplier exit activities where necessary.

Throughout, you’ll ensure all procurement activity adheres to legal, regulatory, and organisational governance standards, maintaining clear and accurate documentation aligned with Anglian Water’s processes.

What it takes to be successful?

We’re seeking a strategic thinker with a proven track record of delivering procurement strategies that achieve impactful outcomes and align to the programmes strategic objectives within a major infrastructure or large scale capital delivery environment. You’ll excel at driving informed decision-making, managing multiple complex projects, and influencing senior stakeholders with clear, confident and proactive communication. Strong negotiation skills and proficiency with Microsoft 365 tools will enable you to build effective relationships and navigate governance frameworks seamlessly.

Skills and qualifications:

• CIPS Professional certification to a minimum of level 5 (MCIPS preferred) or equivalent OR
• Educated to Bachelor’s degree level in a procurement, supply chain or commercial related course
• Good knowledge and experience of procuring under the Procurement Act 2023 (or previously PCR2015 /UCR 2016) and other relevant legislation
• Established professional (at least 5 years) with extensive commercial acumen experience
• Established professional (at least 5 years) working with a major construction or infrastructure project/programme based procurement or commercial function, including experience of working with NEC4.
• Substantial experience in project management and project control principles
• Substantial experience in creating and executing category and procurement strategies
• Knowledge or experience of working within the Utilities industry is preferred
• Knowledge or experience of working in a regulated environment is preferred

As a valued employee you will be entitled to:

• Competitive pension scheme – Anglian Water double-matches your contributions up to 6%
• Personal private health care
• Annual bonus scheme
• 26 days leave + Bank Holidays, with the option to swap Christmas and Easter holidays for those celebrated by your religion
• Life Cover at 8x your salary
• Flexible benefits to support your wellbeing and lifestyle

Why Apply?

Join us at a pivotal moment as we deliver one of the UK’s most ambitious infrastructure projects — the Anglian Water Reservoirs Programme. This is your chance to make a real difference, shaping sustainable water solutions that will benefit millions for decades to come.

You’ll work in a collaborative, purpose-driven environment where your expertise and strategic insight will directly influence outcomes and drive innovation. We value your growth and development, offering opportunities to lead, mentor, and advance your career while contributing to a truly impactful programme.

Closing date: 30th March 2026

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