Closing Date 2026-07-10 Job Title: Collections Supplier Performance Manager Location: Worthing, West Sussex (Hybrid, 2 days per week) Contract Type: Permanent Hours: 37, Monday to Friday Salary: circa £50,000 (depending on skills and experience) There has never been a more important time to join Southern Water. As we move into AMP8, we are delivering one of the most ambitious capital investment programmes in the industry, focused on improving environmental performance, service resilience and long‑term affordability for customers. About the role We are looking for a passionate and experienced Collections Supplier Performance Manager to performance manage and own the overall service delivered by both our onshore and offshore suppliers & DCA’s; ensuring customers receive a best-in-class service. They will work with the third parties to develop a robust service excellence & cash collection culture and will use customer insight and performance data to continuously improve the customer journey, minimise operational and regulatory risk and drive value for money. What you will be responsible for Effectively performance manage third parties to deliver KPI’s to time, cost and quality, resulting in positive customer outcomes. Carry out audits and quarterly in person visits to ensure suppliers are performing in line with expectations (travel required). Promote a customer centric “Customer First” culture and act as a Customer Champion both internally and externally whilst striking the right balance to maximise cash collection. Act as the escalation point to resolve disputes and is a main point of contacts for suppliers. Able to articulate third party performance effectively to key stakeholders up to director and board level. What you’ll bring to the role Previous experience in debt recovery supplier performance is essential. Previous experience of the water or energy industry is desirable (but not essential). Excellent numerical, verbal and written communication skills. Strong attention to detail and problem-solving skills. Ability to liaise with stakeholders at all levels - internal / external. Ability to cope under pressure; to be persistent whilst balancing customer needs. A strong supplier relationship background will enable the post holder to act as a conduit to improve the overall operational interface between SW and the third party, using lessons learned for continuous improvement. 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. "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: Introduce Yourself (myworkdaysite.com- Introduce Yourself) 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. Additional information In line with Southern Water’s security requirements, successful candidates will be required to provide evidence of their identity, eligibility to work in the UK, criminal record check (DBS) and verification of their employment and/or education history for the past three years. Appointment to this role is subject to the successful completion of all preemployment checks, including security vetting. Please note that if a candidate does not meet the required security standards or fails to pass the vetting process, Southern Water reserves the right to withdraw the offer of employment. Some positions may also require higher levels of security vetting, which may involve providing additional documentation. #LI-Hybrid #LI-AC1 Our purpose is big. Our impact is huge. And we know that every single one of us has the power, through our actions, to positively change society and the environment for good. It’s why careers with us have real meaning. Because, if you’re driven and ambitious, we can offer you huge opportunities for personal growth, professional development and constant innovation. Forever evolving. Forever focused on doing the right thing, we empower and encourage everyone to play to their strengths and to help us shape a fair and positive future for all. We believe in Water for Life. If you do too, Dive Right In. Our customers are at the heart of everything we do, because delivering water for life is our core purpose. To achieve this, we need 24/7 support in place to resolve incidents quickly and efficiently. All our employees understand the importance of out-of-hours incident support – because when problems appear, fixing them is our top priority. That’s why our people join together and support when and however needed to make sure our customers get the service they deserve. Joining the Southern Water family means you’ll become part of our incident support team. During your interview, your manager will speak to you about any incident support rotas that apply to your position. Does this opportunity excite you but you’re not 100% sure if you meet all the requirements for the role? Or are you concerned that ‘normal’ office hours aren’t possible given your personal circumstances? Whilst we can’t accommodate every flexible working request, we’ll try to find a practical solution. So why not engage with us and find out more about this role?
