Contracts Manager/Supplier Relationship Manager

Contract Manager/Supplier Relationship Manager required to be responsible for managing the contracts, conducting performance reviews, negotiating contract renewals and supporting competitions with multi-functional team across all UK Networks, Telecommunications and Software categories of spend.

Typical activities will include:
To participate and contribute in a multifunctional team to develop and implement UK sourcing and management strategies.
To support the development of a sourcing strategy through a multi-function team which applies competitive methodologies to drive down prices to achieve and preferably exceed pre-agreed targets, whilst introducing a strong set of terms and conditions with the suppliers.
Leading multi-functional teams to deliver competitions as defined by the Category Manager. These competitions will involve a number of suppliers (between 2 and 7), and run to a tight timescale against best practice processes/utilising latest procurement methods.
Negotiate, draft and review contracts for goods/services within assigned categories, (for approval with the Group Category Manager) to maximize cost reduction, timely delivery and consistent quality of goods/services by agreement of a comprehensive set of terms and conditions.
Manage contracts resulting from competitions, valued between GBP200k and GBP2m. This involves relationship management skills, leading and influencing key stakeholders, and commercial acumen.
Working with key departments responsible for managing, raising, and maintaining Purchase Orders, Invoices and outstanding order book delivery in an effective and timely manner using SAP.
Support the development of and then implement and refine procurement strategies that result in increased value, cost reduction and continuous improvement for IT Networks & Telecommunications spend.
Develop and maintain supply market knowledge for assigned categories using supplier visits, Internet, trade journals, personal interviews, and other research techniques.
Manage and improve supplier performance including reviews with suppliers against SLAs/KPIs. Implement appropriate supplier management processes to drive selected suppliers within assigned categories towards world class performance. Serve as focal point for the supplier relationship.
Work with stakeholders to improve end to end processes. Support the development of appropriate category performance metrics and capture and track the performance so as to provide credible input to corporate budgeting process.
Contribute to the development of strategic procurement policies that govern the overall process for Networks & Telecommunications procurement and Software.
Deliver briefs, updates and reports for senior management reviews within an international environment.
Think in global terms for all procurement activities.
Support wider procurement team in relation to purchasing queries in respect to category of spend.

The successful candidate will have the below skills:
Degree calibre in IT, Business Studies or Procurement, or MCIPS qualified or working towards MCIPS with the desire to complete.
Good track record in and prior knowledge of the Categories including knowledge and experience of cost make-up and pricing.
Strong relationship management and negotiation skills with the ability to lead and influence key stakeholders and suppliers.
Pragmatic individual with drive and flexibility to work with different cultures and nationalities.
Experience of working in multi-functional teams.
Good contract drafting skills.
Excellent communicator.
Advanced skills with Microsoft Office IT packages (SAP, Word, Excel, Outlook, Powerpoint) as advanced research and analytical skills are required.

Candidates must be willing to undergo asecurity vetting proceedure.