Xylem is a Fortune 500 global water solutions company dedicated to advancing sustainable impact and empowering the people who make water work every day. As a leading water technology company with 23,000 employees operating in over 150 countries, Xylem is at the forefront of addressing the world's most critical water challenges. We invite passionate individuals to join our team, dedicated to exceeding customer expectations through innovative and sustainable solutions.
Contract Manager – Supplier & Tender Management
Location: UK (Hybrid)
Company: Xylem Water Solutions UK & Ireland
The Role
We’re looking for a commercially minded Contract Manager to take ownership of our supplier contracts end-to-end — from running tenders through to managing supplier performance once contracts are in place.
This is not a purely legal or administrative role. You will play a key part in ensuring our suppliers deliver value, performance, and consistency across the business.
You’ll work closely with operations, procurement, and central support teams to bring structure, control, and visibility to how we engage and manage our supply chain.
What You’ll Be Doing
• Lead and manage supplier tenders (RFQs, RFPs, ITTs) from scope definition through to award
• Own the full contract lifecycle – drafting, negotiation, execution, and renewal
• Act as the contract owner post-award, ensuring suppliers deliver against agreed SLAs and KPIs
• Run supplier performance reviews, managing issues, escalations, and continuous improvement
• Drive commercial value, including cost control, savings, and contract optimisation
• Establish and maintain contract governance, processes, and documentation
• Work cross-functionally to ensure contracts meet operational, commercial, and compliance requirements
• Build and maintain a central contract register and reporting framework
What We’re Looking For
• Proven experience in supplier contract management and tendering
• Strong commercial awareness and ability to manage cost, value, and risk
• Experience managing contracts in an operational environment (e.g. engineering, utilities, construction, services)
• Confident managing stakeholders and suppliers at all levels
• Able to balance detail with delivery — structured, but pragmatic
• Strong negotiation and problem-solving skills
Why This Role Matters
This is a key role in strengthening how we manage our suppliers and contracts across the business. You’ll have the opportunity to build structure, improve performance, and directly influence commercial outcomes.
What You’ll Get
• A role with real ownership and visibility across the business
• The opportunity to shape and improve how we manage suppliers
• Exposure to senior stakeholders and strategic initiatives
• A collaborative and evolving environment where you can make a tangible impact
Join the global Xylem team to be a part of innovative technology solutions transforming water usage, conservation, and re-use. Our products impact public utilities, industrial sectors, residential areas, and commercial buildings, with a commitment to providing smart metering, network technologies, and advanced analytics for water, electric, and gas utilities. Partner with us in creating a world where water challenges are met with ingenuity and dedication; where we recognize the power of inclusion and belonging in driving innovation and allowing us to compete more effectively around the world.
Skills Required
- Proven experience in supplier contract management and tendering
- Strong commercial awareness and ability to manage cost, value, and risk
- Experience managing contracts in an operational environment (engineering, utilities, construction, services)
- Confident managing stakeholders and suppliers at all levels
- Strong negotiation and problem-solving skills
What We Do
Xylem |ˈzīləm| 1) The tissue in plants that brings water upward from the roots; 2) a leading global water technology company. Xylem, a leading global water technology company dedicated to solving the world’s most challenging water issues, is the leading global provider of efficient, innovative and sustainable water technologies improving the way water is used, managed, conserved and re-used. Our international team is unified in a common purpose: creating advanced technology and other trusted solutions to solve the world’s water challenges. We are committed to creating an organization of inclusion and diversity, where everyone feels involved, respected, valued and connected, and where everyone is free to bring their authentic selves and ideas. If you are excited and passionate about helping us #letssolvewater, we want to hear from you!
