Lead Buyer

About us

Lead Buyer

Strategic Procurement Team

Salary: Competitive +Bonus
Location: Lingley Mere, Warrington (Hybrid Working)

Shape Strategic Procurement. Deliver Commercial Excellence. Make a Lasting Impact.

At United Utilities, our purpose is simple: to deliver great water for a stronger, greener and healthier North West.

As one of the UK's largest listed infrastructure organisations, we're investing heavily in our future and the communities we serve. To support this ambition, we're looking for a commercially driven Lead Buyer to join our Strategic Procurement team.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced procurement or commercial professional who thrives on building strategic relationships, influencing key stakeholders and delivering significant commercial value. You'll work at the heart of major procurement programmes, helping to drive innovation, efficiency and long-term business success.

Why United Utilities?

When you join United Utilities, you'll become part of a business that genuinely values its people. We foster a collaborative and inclusive culture where individuals are empowered to develop their careers, contribute new ideas and make a meaningful impact.

As a FTSE 100 organisation, we offer a comprehensive rewards package, including:

• 26 days annual leave, increasing to 30 days after four years' service, plus bank holidays
• Competitive pension scheme with up to 14% employer contribution (21% combined contribution)
• Up to 10.5% performance-related bonus
• Comprehensive company-funded healthcare plan
• Hybrid working arrangements
• Life assurance cover
• MyGymDiscounts and wellbeing benefits
• Best Doctors service
• Salary Finance
• Wealth at Work financial wellbeing support
• Employee discounts and lifestyle benefits
• EVolve electric vehicle scheme
• ShareBuy share scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Mental Health First Aiders
• MORE Choices flexible benefits programme
• Enhanced parental leave policies

The Role

As a Lead Buyer, you'll support the development and delivery of sourcing activities across our Strategic Procurement portfolio.

Working alongside Category Managers, Buyers and stakeholders across the business, you'll play a key role in delivering successful procurement outcomes, driving value from supplier relationships and ensuring effective contract management throughout the procurement lifecycle.

This position offers significant exposure to major business initiatives, strategic procurements and large-scale procurement programmes that are critical to the future success of United Utilities.

What You'll Be Doing

• Collaborating with stakeholders to align procurement activity with business strategy and category plans.
• Supporting the successful delivery of sourcing and procurement projects.
• Ensuring compliance with procurement legislation, including the Utilities Contracts Regulations 2016 and the Procurement Act 2023.
• Supporting the management of supplier contracts, agreements and service level arrangements.
• Identifying, managing and mitigating commercial and contractual risks.
• Driving value, efficiencies and benefits across the contract lifecycle.
• Building effective relationships with internal stakeholders, suppliers and external partners.

Working collaboratively across Commercial, Engineering and Capital Delivery teams to achieve business objectives

About You

We're looking for a commercially minded professional with strong procurement expertise and the ability to build trusted relationships across a complex organisation.

You'll bring:

• Significant experience in procurement or commercial management.
• Strong knowledge of end-to-end procurement processes and category management methodologies.
• A sound understanding of regulated procurement and contract law.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Strong commercial negotiation and problem-solving capabilities.
• The ability to influence, collaborate and drive positive outcomes across multiple teams.
• A proactive approach to managing opportunities, risks and supplier relationships.

Qualifications

Essential

• CIPS qualified, or an equivalent professional qualification and/or relevant experience.

Desirable

• Chartered Membership of a relevant professional institution, such as the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS).

Join Us

This is an excellent opportunity to join a high-performing commercial team during a significant period of investment and transformation for United Utilities. If you're looking for a role where you can influence strategic decisions, work with major suppliers and contribute to projects that make a difference to millions of customers, we'd love to hear from you.

Apply today and help us deliver great water for a stronger, greener and healthier North West.