Strategic Production Lead

Help shape how water is produced and moved across our region, now and in the future. 

SALARY: Starting from £52,000, dependent on skills and experience 

CONTRACT: Full Time, 12-month maternity cover 

LOCATION: Across the Anglian Water region, with flexible hybrid working 

Important — We’d really love to hear your story and what excites you about this role, so please include a cover letter with your application. This helps us understand your motivation and what draws you to join us. Applications without a cover letter may not be progressed.  

For a great career, just add water. 

Every day, we balance water production, customer demand, asset availability, environmental constraints and regulatory obligations across a complex regional network. Production Planning brings that system together, helping us operate our assets with the discipline of a factory while keeping safe, wholesome water flowing to our customers. 

We’re looking for a Strategic Production Lead to take that thinking further ahead. You will shape the long-term strategy for how water is produced and moved across our increasingly connected regional network, bringing together operational, regulatory, environmental and financial priorities and turning them into clear choices, plans and action. 

You will have the opportunity to influence important decisions, improve established ways of working and help build the Production Planning capability we will need as climate change, population growth and increasing system connectivity reshape the choices ahead. 

What you’ll be accountable for 

• Shaping a long-term strategy for how we produce and move water across our region, balancing customer demand, asset capability, cost, environmental commitments and regulatory requirements. 

• Bringing together insight from across the business to identify future risks, constraints and opportunities, then turning them into clear priorities and practical plans. 

• Influencing major operational and investment decisions so that choices made today support a resilient, efficient and sustainable water system for the future. 

• Leading improvements to the way Production Planning works, creating clearer processes, better use of data and stronger connections between long-term strategy and day-to-day operations. 

• Building trusted relationships across operational, technical and strategic teams, resolving competing priorities and providing clear recommendations when difficult choices need to be made. 

• Tracking performance and benefits to show whether the strategy is delivering the right outcomes for customers, the environment and the business. 

• Creating a safe, inclusive and improvement-focused environment where people can challenge, share ideas and make well-informed decisions. 

What we’re looking for 

We’re looking for a thoughtful strategic leader who is comfortable with both complexity and practical delivery. You will build credibility with operational colleagues, influence senior stakeholders and help turn competing priorities into a clear way forward. 

You will be curious, collaborative and prepared to challenge constructively. You will ask the questions that help people see the whole system, use data and insight to strengthen decisions, and help move difficult issues from discussion into action. 

Essential experience and strengths 

• Strategic thinking, with the ability to anticipate risk and opportunity and convert long-term objectives into clear, actionable plans. 

• Strong leadership, influencing and negotiation skills, including the confidence to bring together people with different priorities. 

• Experience of working in a complex operational, infrastructure, manufacturing, utilities or regulated environment. 

• The ability to understand connected systems, interpret data and explain complex strategic issues in clear, simple language. 

• A track record of improving processes, establishing clear ownership and embedding new ways of working. 

• Sound judgement when balancing service, risk, cost, environmental and regulatory outcomes. 

• A full UK driving license, as the role includes travel across our region. 

Useful, but not essential 

Water industry experience would be valuable, but it is not the only route into this role. We are equally interested in people who bring strong strategic planning, production planning, systems thinking or operational experience from another complex industry. 

You may be educated to degree level, or you may have developed equivalent capability through your career. What matters most is the quality of your thinking, your ability to influence and your determination to turn strategy into better operational outcomes. 

Why join us? 

You will join a talented Production Planning team that already plays a central role in moving Water Supply from reactive to proactive decision-making. This role gives you the opportunity to connect short-term operational reality with the long-term future of our regional water network and to leave a practical, lasting legacy. 

We invest in our people - as a valued employee, you’ll be entitled to:   

• Personal private health care    

• Generous double match pension – contribute 7% and Anglian Water will contribute 14%, giving a total contribution of 21% 

• 24-hour Virtual GP service for you and your household  

• 26 days annual leave – rising with length of service and the ability to buy more   

• Life assurance (up to 8 x salary)   

• Personal accident cover (up to 5 x salary) 

• Excellent family friendly policies, such as 26 weeks full pay for maternity / adoption leave, as well as 4 weeks paid paternity / partner leave. Opportunity for shared parental pay  

• Bonus scheme     

• Flexible benefits and working culture to support your wellbeing and lifestyle.     

INTERESTED IN SHAPING THE FUTURE OF WATER PRODUCTION? 

Apply with your CV and a cover letter telling us what interests you about the role and the experience and perspective you would bring. 

Closing date: Friday 18 September 2026  |  Interviews: week commencing 28 September 2026 

Inclusion at Anglian Water 

Our customers come from all walks of life, and we want our teams to reflect that. We consider all suitably qualified applicants and recruit and develop our people based on merit and their passion for creating better outcomes. We are committed to creating an environment where everyone feels they belong and is supported to succeed. 

If you are excited by the opportunity but do not meet every point listed, we would still encourage you to apply. Your experience may be exactly what helps us think differently. 

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