Position: Supplier Relationship Manager – Marketing (UK & Europe). Responsible to: Senior Procurement Manager – Marketing - UK & Europe. Department: Finance. Location: JD Sports Fashion plc, Bury Head Office.
Role Background
This role supports the Marketing Procurement function across the UK & Europe. The Supplier Relationship Manager operates as a commercial partner to Marketing teams, ensuring JD extracts maximum value, performance, and efficiency across key Marketing spend areas.
Responsibilities
1. Stakeholder & Relationship Management
o Act as a point of contact for day‑to‑day procurement enquiries from Marketing teams.
o Support Marketing stakeholders in shaping briefs, requirements and scopes of work.
o Help communicate procurement principles, processes and timelines to non‑procurement colleagues.
o Build positive, collaborative relationships with Brand, Creative, Retail Marketing, Digital, CRM, Finance and Legal teams.
2. Strategic Sourcing & Planning
o Support RFPs, pitch processes and supplier selection activities across Marketing categories.
o Conduct pricing comparisons, benchmarking and commercial evaluations.
o Maintain documentation including supplier lists, rate cards, contract logs and category files.
o Ensure scopes, deliverables and service requirements are captured clearly and accurately.
o Carry out market research on agency capabilities, emerging marketing services and industry trends.
3. Supplier Relationship Management
o Manage day‑to‑day relationships of Marketing suppliers and agency partners.
o Support quarterly business reviews, performance discussions and KPI tracking.
o Monitor agency service levels, ensuring deliverables, timelines and budgets remain on track.
o Assist in resolving supplier issues, escalations or under‑performance scenarios.
o Maintain SRM dashboards, supplier documentation and commercial compliance records.
o Support the Procurement Manager in embedding best‑practice relationship governance across the agency roster.
o Promote continuous improvement by identifying areas where suppliers can deliver better value, innovation or efficiency.
4. Compliance, Risk & ESG
o Ensure procurement policy and governance procedures are followed consistently.
o Support contract administration, storage and version control across agencies.
o Assist with due diligence checks, risk assessments and onboarding documentation.
o Help embed sustainability considerations into Marketing procurement.
o Assist with maintaining auditability and financial controls across Marketing spend.
Key Relationships
* Marketing, Creative, Digital, Retail Marketing, Technology, Finance, Legal.
* UK and International colleagues and external suppliers (travel may be required).
Skills / Experience / Knowledge Required
* 1–2 years’ experience in procurement, commercial operations or marketing support roles.
* Strong organisational skills with ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
* Excellent communication skills with confidence engaging internal teams and suppliers.
* Strong analytical ability, comfortable working with data, budgets, rate cards and commercial comparisons.
* Good stakeholder management skills, with a collaborative and professional approach.
* Demonstrated experience supporting supplier relationships or agency interactions.
* Familiarity with procurement processes such as RFPs, commercial evaluation or contract admin.
The Successful Applicant
* 1‑2 years’ experience in marketing, marketing procurement or supplier relationship management, with a real passion for driving value and performance across key categories.
* Experience working with Marketing teams or Marketing service categories.
* Knowledge of agency fee structures, rate cards and scope‑of‑work documents.
* Experience with contract management tools, purchase order systems or procurement platforms.
* Ability to identify issues early and escalates appropriately with solution‑focused thinking.
* Strong attention to detail and a proactive approach to improving processes.
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