Category & Sourcing Manager - HR

Category & Sourcing Manager - HR page is loaded Category & Sourcing Manager - HRlocations: Worthing: FALMERtime type: Full timeposted on: Posted Todaytime left to apply: End Date: January 22, 2026 (13 days left to apply)job requisition id: JR7747 Closing Date 2026-01-22 Job Title: Category & Sourcing Manager (HR & Corporate Services) Location: Durrington (Worthing) Contract Type: Permanent Hours: Full Time (Hybrid - 2 days in office), flexible working will be considered Salary: £55,000 About the role You will join our Procurement team, focusing on HR and People-related spend categories. This is a fantastic opportunity to take ownership of a broad and strategically important portfolio, covering recruitment services, benefits, occupational health, salary sacrifice schemes, subscriptions, and other HR-aligned third-party spend.This role has opened up due to an increase in workload. What you will be responsible for: You will play a key role in shaping category strategies, advising senior stakeholders, and ensuring our HR procurement activity aligns with regulatory requirements, business needs, and market best practice. Typically, you will manage a varied pipeline of 4-5 concurrent projects, ranging from one-off tenders to longer-term strategic sourcing initiatives. Developing and delivering HR category strategies, including market analysis, sourcing options, and long-term planning. Leading tenders and sourcing activity across HR spend areas such as recruitment, benefits, occupational health, and salary sacrifice schemes. Managing procurement for corporate services including legal support, consultancy, and other enabling activities. Ensuring compliance with public procurement regulations (including PA23) and internal governance. Driving value creation, cost optimisation, and commercial insight across the full sourcing lifecycle. Providing strategic advice to HR and senior leadership teams, helping them make informed commercial decisions. Collaborating with multidisciplinary teams including HR, Finance, Legal, Digital, and external partners. Supporting the development of category strategies across the wider procurement function. Managing stakeholder expectations at all levels, including director-level engagement. What you'll bring to the role: Essential Strong HR category management experience Experience running end-to-end tenders and managing multiple concurrent projects. Understanding of public procurement regulations and confidence in applying them. Strategic thinking, with the ability to analyse markets, challenge assumptions, and propose well-reasoned solutions. Ability to build strong relationships and influence senior stakeholders. Comfortable working in a fast-paced, reactive environment while keeping long-term goals in sight. Ability to work autonomously and bring expertise to the team. Desirable CIPS qualification (or working towards it). Experience in utilities or engineering. Experience working in a regulated industry About Southern Water: Southern Water is at the forefront of transforming Britain's water industry, investing significantly to enhance resilience, sustainability, and service excellence. With £7.8bn planned investment for 2025-30, this is an unparalleled opportunity to join a business committed to delivering a generational shift in the way water services are managed. You will be joining at a time of significant change, working alongside a highly skilled leadership team with a clear vision for the future. We offer an environment where senior professionals can make a meaningful impact, influence major strategic decisions, and drive long-term value creation. Inclusive & Empowering At Southern Water, we believe diverse perspectives drive innovation. If you're passionate about making a positive impact and think you can bring value to our team, we'd love to hear from you-even if you don't tick every box. Your unique skills and experiences could be exactly what we need.If this role isn't quite what you're looking for but are keen to be contacted about opportunities at Southern Water, you can register your details here: Our Commitment to Diversity We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, identities, and experiences. We do not discriminate based on race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, or any other protected characteristic. If you need reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please let us know. : 2 Locationstime type: Full timeposted on: Posted 30+ Days Ago We reserve the right to close this advertisement early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications, so if you are interested in the position please do send your application over today to ensure consideration. We truly appreciate every application. Please note, that due to the volume of interest, we may not be able to provide personalised feedback to all applicants. Our Benefits Company and performance-related bonus Generous pension with up to 11% company contribution Life assurance payment equal to four times your annual salary Health benefits through a Cash Plan Two paid community volunteering days a year 25 days annual holiday Occupational health service Retail discount app We offer competitive maternity leave, and flexible return to work options