Supplier Manager

A large utilities company are seeking a Supplier Manager to lead the management and development of multi-million pound, medium cost, and business risk assessed suppliers. This role involves working with relevant stakeholders to drive overall cost, risk, relationship, innovation, and performance value. The successful candidate will manage 10 to 15 medium cost and business risk suppliers, utilizing the Supplier Collaboration Framework to deliver significant savings and benefits.

This is a contract role initially for 6 months and has a daily rate up to £500 per day via an Umbrella company (Inside IR35).

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the management of 10 to 15 complex, multi-million pound suppliers, ensuring the implementation of the Supplier Management Framework.
• Develop supplier joint account plans, meeting governance frameworks, and continuous improvement targets.
• Collaborate with Market Management and Sourcing team members and relevant stakeholders to maximize cost, risk, relationship, innovation, and performance value.
• Deliver ongoing savings and benefits throughout the contract lifecycle, including managing contract variations and commercial disputes.
• Establish collaborative working relationships with preferred suppliers and stakeholders.
• Support operational contract owners in their day-to-day responsibilities with suppliers.
• Negotiate and implement significant cost savings and benefits through expert negotiation leadership.
• Execute the Meeting Governance Framework for led suppliers, including 'Head of' level sponsorship.
• Identify evolving business requirements throughout the contract lifecycle, including contract changes, maintenance, renewals, and demand management.
• Introduce supplier-enabled innovation capabilities to deliver competitive advantages.
• Provide key input into annual Integrated Market Planning reviews in collaboration with Market and Sourcing teams.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Preferably degree educated, with a relevant post-graduate qualification (e.g., CIPS, RICS, MBA, MSC).
• Demonstrable procurement experience, including supplier management and collaboration.
• Strong stakeholder management skills.
• Knowledge of supplier management and collaboration processes, tools, and methodologies.
• Excellent negotiation, relationship development, and dispute resolution skills.
• Politically savvy with the ability to use direct and indirect influencing strategies.
• Problem-solving experience in large, complex organizations.
• Experience with cross-functional collaborative working methods.
• Detailed knowledge of the utilities market sector.