Main purpose of job:

• Within the SSRM team, we are seeking an effective Strategic Relationship Manager who will be responsible for managing a number of relationships between FCDO and its mid-tier supply partners. This is an exciting opportunity, which will enable the successful applicant to build and manage supply partner relationships, whilst enhancing their wider Commercial experience.
• This is a key role with significant responsibility for maximising FCDO’s relationship & operational effectiveness of high impact suppliers.  The core purpose of the SSRM role is to increase the value of suppler relationships with the FCDO.
• This role requires an experienced all round commercial professional with a good functional background, excellent relationship management skills, commercial  experience, project management skills and the ability to drive change and deliver business benefits.
• Individuals will be required to understand stakeholder and partner needs, influence effectively, have the ability to foster innovation and create synergies across portfolios – working autonomously and with discretion.
• This will require effective stakeholder management at senior levels, and the individual will contribute to and work within the Commercial and wider FCDO governance framework processes and procedures.
• This role is business critical for FCDO in developing our supplier relationship management capability.  With a total contractual spend approaching £3billion, the effective performance management of the Department’s complex international portfolios is critical to achieving the FCDO strategic objectives.

Roles and responsibilities:

• Supporting the existing team in the continuous improvement and delivery of the SRM model
• Managing the strategic relationship with a number of mid-tier suppliers, including escalations, improving supplier performance, strategic thinking and enhanced communications
• Working with contract owners to understand common performance risks and issues, across all contracts for a managed supplier
• Manage strategic communications at Executive level
• Drive the progression of key SRM deliverables, including business plans
• Work with supplier to identify opportunities to generate additional value for both parties
• Develop strong internal stakeholder relationships across multiple FCDO departments and at varying levels of seniority, building a deep knowledge of supply partner portfolios.
• Lead on discrete data gathering and projects

Requirements

Essential qualifications, skills and experience 1 

• Resilience to manage multiple projects concurrently, with the ability to research, benchmark, scope, design, implement and evaluate project delivery to tight deadlines
• Track record in project delivery to deadlines and targets, with particular understanding of the implications of decisions across the full life cycle of a project or commercial arrangement
• Strategic sourcing, category or client management experience
• Strong interpersonal skills, including influencing skills, assertiveness and the ability to have difficult conversations
• Proven track record in managing multiple stakeholders and partners each with competing deadlines
• Self-starter with the ability to work cross-sites, contributing to the development of a multi-location Supply Chain Management Team
• Collaborative in their approach, effectively engaging with the wider Supply Chain Management team and other key stakeholders to better understand particular markets
• A proactive approach and a focus on continuous improvement of self and service, with an appetite to work with others to simplify processes and improve efficiency.

Desirable qualifications, skills and experience 1 

• Knowledge of public procurement regulations
• MCIPS qualification, or working towards, or able to demonstrate an equivalent level of required knowledge acquired through work experience
• Knowledge of Public Sector procurement regulations and processes

Required behaviours 1 

• Seeing the Big Picture, Changing and Improving, Communicating and Influencing, Working Together