Sourcing Specialist

About us

Salary - £45,974.00Work Type - HybridJob Location - Lingley Mere (UU), Lingley Green Avenue, Great Sankey, Warrington, WA5 3LPRole Type - PermanentEmployment Type - Full TimeWorking Hours - 37.0 Hours per Week

United Utilities' (UU) purpose is to deliver great water for a stronger, greener and healthier North West of England. We are committed to providing our services in a way that respects the environment, supports the economy, and benefits society.

We value diversity, inclusion and innovation in our workplace, and we foster a culture where our people can grow, excel, and be themselves.

We uphold our ethics, values and business model to fulfil our mission and, by setting clear goals and objectives, we create sustainable long-term value for our colleagues, customers and communities. Whether you work with a team that shares your vision or join a network of peers with similar interests, you will find a welcoming and supportive organisation to be part of.

We've got a lot to offer. You'll be part of a thriving FTSE 100 company and will enjoy a range of core benefits that reflect your value and value contribution.

Benefits

• A generous annual leave package of 26 days, which increases to 30 days after four years of service (increases one day per year), in addition to 8 bank holidays
• A competitive pension scheme with up to 14% employer contribution, 21% combined, and life cover
• Up to 7.5% performance-related bonus scheme, as well as recognition awards for outstanding achievements
• A comprehensive healthcare plan through our company-funded scheme
• MyGymDiscounts - gym and wellness benefit that offers up to 25% off on gym memberships and digital fitness subscriptions
• Best Doctors
• Salary Finance
• Wealth at Work courses
• Deals and discounts
• EVolve Car Scheme
• Employee Assistance Plan
• Mental health first aiders
• ShareBuy
• MORE Choices flexible benefits
• Enhanced parental leave schemes

Job Purpose

Ready to lead sourcing initiatives that influence over £50M in annual spend?

Join our Commercial team as a Sourcing Specialist and take charge of Commercial opportunities that demand sharp thinking, stakeholder savvy, and a relentless focus on savings and benefits.

What you will be doing:

• Own the sourcing process from business need to contract execution
• Drive and own a category and manage compliance and reporting
• Collaborate with senior stakeholders and market experts
• Negotiate impactful savings and benefits
• Drive continuous improvement and stakeholder satisfaction
• Ensure compliance with legal, financial, and regulatory standards

About you:

• You're a strategic thinker with a sharp eye for value and a passion for driving commercial success.
• With proven experience in sourcing and stakeholder management, you thrive in complex environments where negotiation, collaboration, and compliance intersect.
• You bring a confident, solutions-focused mindset, backed by strong knowledge of contract law, financial principles, and the utilities sector.
• Whether influencing spend or optimizing supplier relationships, you're committed to delivering measurable benefits and continuous improvement.

This role may not be eligible for the visa sponsorship

What you will need:

• Proven sourcing experience with a savings track record
• Contract law, financial acumen, and negotiation finesse
• Utilities sector knowledge and project management skills
• A completer-finisher mindset and political awareness
• A driving licence is essential
• Degree + postgrad qualifications (CIPS, RICS, MBA, MSC) would be ideal

We rely on every employee to ensure our customers receive the best possible service, day in, day out. In return, we ensure that you will be well rewarded for your efforts, from an excellent salary through to development opportunities that will really kick start a thriving career here at UU.