Supplier Manager- Third Party Relationship

Overview

Manage supplier relationships and performance for billing/collections in water sector

Key Responsibilities

• change management
• performance monitoring
• audit reporting
• supplier management
• project lead
• business review

Tasks

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

Requirements

• supplier management
• leadership
• collaboration
• performance management
• billing collections
• mi analysis

What You Bring

Working at Thames Water -Proven track record of supplier management, with emphasis on relationship management over procurement or category buying. -Versatile, with the ability to adapt quickly to the changing needs of a rapidly developing business. -Ability to lead, train and coach clearly and professionally, ensuring directional clarity is achieved. -Willingness to collaborate with internal and external stakeholders, including regular reviews and feedback on adverts and role requirements. -Knowledge of key performance drivers for effective performance management. -Ability to identify and provide the most appropriate presentation methods to differing roles and knowledge levels across the business. -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.

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Benefits

Location: Hybrid - Walnut Court - SN2 8BN. 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. -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 -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. -Generous Pension Scheme through AON. -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).

About Thames Water

-Delivering clean water and wastewater services across London and the Thames Valley. -Operates a vast network of infrastructure to meet the needs of its customers. -Focusing on sustainable water solutions and addressing climate change challenges. -Key player in major infrastructure projects, including the Thames Tideway Tunnel. -Involved in energy production through renewable initiatives like hydropower. -Committed to improving water quality, reliability, and customer service.

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