Strategic Supplier Manager

Strategic Supplier Manager

• Location: Warrington
• Job Type: Full-time
• Day rate: Up to £575 per day umbrella
• Length of role: Initial 6 months

We are seeking a Strategic Supplier Manager to lead the management and development of our strategic suppliers. This role is crucial for driving value across cost, risk, relationship, innovation, and performance metrics. The successful candidate will be accountable for overseeing 3 to 4 business-critical suppliers, ensuring the full implementation of the Supplier Collaboration Framework, and delivering significant savings and benefits aligned with our Commercial Balanced Business Scorecard.

Day-to-Day of the Role:

• Lead the management of 3 to 4 business-critical suppliers using the Supplier Management Framework, including the development of joint account plans, meeting governance, and continuous improvement targets.
• Collaborate with Market Management, Sourcing teams, and other stakeholders to maximize cost, risk, relationship, innovation, and performance value.
• Drive significant savings and benefits throughout the contract and relationship lifecycle, manage contract variations, and resolve commercial disputes.
• Establish and maintain a collaborative working relationship with strategic suppliers and key stakeholders at executive levels.
• Develop and execute a qualified savings and benefits pipeline in collaboration with stakeholders, ensuring alignment with financial budgets.
• Implement the Meeting Governance Framework for led suppliers, ensuring business executive sponsorship.
• Identify and manage evolving business requirements, including contract changes, renewals, and demand management.
• Introduce supplier-enabled innovation capabilities to deliver competitive advantages.
• Provide specialist advice on Supplier Collaboration, recognized externally and within the organization.

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• Degree educated, preferably with a relevant post-graduate qualification (e.g., CIPS, RICS, MBA, MSc).
• Extensive experience in supplier management and collaboration.
• Senior-level stakeholder management skills.
• Proficient in supplier management processes, tools, and methodologies.
• Strong negotiation, relationship development, and dispute resolution skills.
• Politically savvy with effective influencing strategies.
• Proven problem-solving skills within large, complex organisations.
• Experience in the Utilities market sector is highly desirable.
• Project management and team leadership experience.