About the Role
The Global Supplier Relationship Management (GSRM) team is accountable for the end‑to‑end management of strategic Third Party Administrator (TPA) relationships within the Investments COO, including depositaries. The team ensures suppliers deliver commercial value, operational resilience, regulatory compliance and continuous improvement for Aberdeen. As a Supplier Relationship Manager within GSRM, you will work with senior internal stakeholders and suppliers to govern, challenge and optimise supplier performance, lead and support commercial and contractual negotiations, manage third‑party risk, and identify opportunities to enhance outcomes through deeper, more effective relationships.
Key Responsibilities
* Strategic Supplier Governance
o Govern assigned TPA relationships in line with Aberdeen’s Third Party Risk Management framework and policy, and regulatory expectations.
o Work collaboratively with business owners (service Engagement Owner and oversight teams) to ensure KPIs, SLAs and service outcomes are defined and monitored.
o Act as a point of accountability for supplier contractual performance, risk, conduct and value delivery.
o Chair/attend senior‑level supplier governance forums and manage contractual and commercial escalations to resolution.
o Provide clear, concise management information and board‑level reporting.
* Commercial & Contract Management
o Lead contractual and commercial negotiations with Legal and the business teams, ensuring clear service scope, obligations, controls and value.
o Own rate card negotiations, benchmarking and commercial reviews.
o Control supplier budgets, validate invoices and track supplier spend and payments.
o Manage contract lifecycle activities including contract change, new services, renewals, contractual terms and notice periods, and terminations.
* Value Optimisation
o Lead supplier capability, supplier selection and RFP processes from business demand through to contract execution and onboarding.
o Identify and deliver cost, efficiency and capability improvements through supplier innovation and optimisation.
o Conduct commercial modelling and benchmarking to support board, product, client and investment decisions.
* Stakeholder & Relationship Management
o Influence and align senior internal stakeholders across Aberdeen, including Operations, Investments, Legal, and Risk.
o Build effective, outcome‑driven partnerships with supplier executives and delivery teams.
o Provide expert advice on supplier strategy, risk, commercials and industry and market best practice.
About the Candidate
* Proven experience managing strategic, regulated outsourcing partners.
* Ability to balance a partnership approach with robust challenge and governance.
* Strong track record in contract negotiation, rate cards, benchmarking and cost modelling.
* Commercially astute with the ability to translate detail into clear executive decisions.
* Experience operating within outsourcing, risk and regulatory frameworks in Financial Services, and able to evidence compliance and manage audits confidently.
* Credible operator with the ability to influence senior stakeholders without direct authority.
* Skilled at handling competing priorities and conflicting demands.
* Applies data, insight and root‑cause analysis to improve supplier outcomes.
* Confident distilling complex issues into practical actions.
* Clear, structured communicator at all levels, including board and supplier executive teams.
* Comfortable chairing governance forums and leading difficult conversations.
Benefits
We offer 40 days’ annual leave, a 16% employer pension contribution, discretionary performance‑based bonus, private healthcare and a range of flexible benefits including gym discounts, season ticket loans and access to an employee discount portal.
Disability Confident
We are proud to be a Disability Confident Committed employer. If you have a disability and would like to apply, please notify us by completing the relevant section in our candidate questionnaire. One of our team will reach out to support you through the application process.
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