East West Rail is a nationally significant railway project which aims to deliver much-needed transport connections for the vibrant communities between Oxford, Milton Keynes, Bedford and Cambridge, which blend beautiful landscapes and a rich cultural heritage with globally renowned centres of education, business, technology and an increasingly dynamic business scene. Together these communities contribute around £111 billion to the national economy each year.
However, the lack of good East-West transport connections makes it harder for residents to make the most of everything the region has to offer. From faster commutes to days out with friends and family, EWR will make it easier to reach the things that matter most, bringing a range of benefits to communities between Oxford and Cambridge, and across the UK more broadly.
EWR is also one of the UK’s largest infrastructure projects, which the government committed to delivering in full in the Autumn 2024 Budget, and again in the 2025 Spending Review as part of its ambition to unlock the potential of the Oxford to Cambridge Growth Corridor.
EWR is being championed by the Government as a key driver to economic growth leading to a potential £78 Billion boost to the UK economy: supporting new towns, housing, and regeneration.
Role Summary
This role is responsible for developing and managing strategic relationships with key suppliers supporting the East West Rail programme. The Supplier Relationship Manager will work closely with internal stakeholders and suppliers to ensure strong performance, value for money and collaborative delivery across the supply chain.
The Supplier Relationship Manager plays a key role in ensuring that supplier partnerships are effectively managed to maximise value, manage risk, and support successful programme delivery.
Key Responsibilities
* Develop and manage strategic relationships with key suppliers to support the successful delivery of the East West Rail programme.
* Act as the primary point of contact for supplier relationship management activities across allocated contracts and supplier portfolios.
* Monitor supplier performance against agreed contractual obligations, KPIs and service levels.
* Facilitate regular supplier performance reviews and governance meetings, identifying opportunities for improvement and innovation.
* Work collaboratively with internal stakeholders across Commercial, Programme Delivery, Finance and other functions to ensure effective supplier engagement.
* Identify and manage supplier-related risks and issues, ensuring they are escalated and resolved appropriately.
* Drive continuous improvement initiatives with suppliers to enhance performance, value for money and delivery outcomes.
* Support the development and implementation of supplier relationship management strategies and frameworks.
* Ensure supplier compliance with contractual requirements, governance processes and ensure supplier performance PA23 notices are issued.
* Provide insight and reporting on supplier performance and relationship health to senior stakeholders.
* Promote collaborative working and partnership behaviours across the supply chain.
* Support the Commercial function in managing supplier disputes, performance concerns and improvement plans where required.
* Proven experience in Supplier Relationship Management, Contract Management or Commercial Management.
* Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to build effective relationships with internal teams and external suppliers.
* Excellent communication and influencing skills, both verbal and written.
* Experience managing supplier performance through KPIs, governance frameworks and performance reviews.
* Good understanding of the procurement and contract management lifecycle.
* Experience identifying and managing supplier risks and performance issues.
* Ability to analyse supplier performance data and provide clear reporting and insight.
* Experience working within complex infrastructure, construction, rail, or public sector environments is advantageous.
* Knowledge of procurement systems such as SAP or Jaggaer.
* Competitive salary that reflects your skills and experience
* Up to 12% employer pension contribution to support your future
* 36 days annual leave (including bank holidays) plus the option to buy up to 2 extra days
* 2 volunteering days, a chance for you to give back to the community
* Enhanced family-friendly policies to support you and your loved ones
* Life assurance (4x your annual salary) for peace of mind
* Employee Assistance Programme for confidential support when you need it
* Access to Perkbox for a wide range of discounts and wellbeing benefits
* Recognition programme, including on-the-spot and annual awards
* Advanced learning and development opportunities to help you grow.
Diversity and Inclusion
At East West Railway Company, we’re committed to building an inclusive railway for all. We believe that to do that, we must nurture a diverse team that represents the UK communities that we impact. Our approach is simple - to create an environment where everyone is welcome and able to be themselves. We celebrate diversity and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We encourage applications from all backgrounds and experiences.
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