Careers Supplier Manager

Cambridge University Press & Assessment; Hartford; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading academic publisher in the UK is seeking a Supplier Manager to oversee supplier relationships and manage project pipelines. The role requires strong negotiation and communication skills, with responsibilities in problem-solving and resource management. Candidates should have experience in leading teams and working with diverse suppliers. Benefits include 28 days of annual leave, private health insurance, and more.

Benefits

28 days annual leave plus bank holidays

Private medical and Permanent Health Insurance

Discretionary annual bonus

Group personal pension scheme

Life assurance up to 4 x annual salary

Green travel schemes

Qualifications

• Experience in supplier management is essential.
• Proven leadership experience in a deadline-driven environment.
• Strong negotiation and influencing skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage relationships with suppliers and freelancers.
• Negotiate rates and manage RFP processes.
• Support operations teams in problem-solving.

Skills

Problem solving

Influencing and engaging stakeholders

Negotiating skills

Collaboration

Communication skills

Resource management

Conflict resolution

Job description

About the Role

We have an exciting opportunity for a talented professional to join our busy Delivery team in Products and Services Operations as a Supplier Manager. In this role, you will be responsible for overarching provision and management of suppliers and freelancers in the delivery of publishing resources in the International Education Products and Services business. In this role you will manage the relationships with our network of suppliers, source new suppliers as required, and manage the forward load of our project pipeline to ensure that our time, cost and quality targets are met. You will support our operations teams when working through problems or exploring new ways of working, and will negotiate rates, including management of RFP processes.

Responsibilities

You will have experience of programme management, line management and of leadership in a deadline driven environment. You will be a problem solver and a confident communicator, able to influence and engage stakeholders at all levels of the organisation. We value the following personal qualities,

• A strong collaborator and able to build collaboration between stakeholders.
• Able to build effective relationships and alliances.
• Strong negotiating and influencing skills.
• A natural problem solver, solutions focused.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Adaptable, willing to lead change and shape new ways of working.
• Demonstrable experience in all aspects of supplier management and negotiation.
• Working with suppliers of varying sizes and global locations.
• Sound working knowledge of publishing editorial and production processes, particularly for the Education space.
• Resource management and pipeline planning.
• Leading teams through strategic goals or change.
• Process and workflow review and improvement.
• Conflict resolution.

About Cambridge University Press & Assessment

We are Cambridge University Press & Assessment, a world‑leading academic publisher and assessment organisation and a proud part of the University of Cambridge. Joining us is your opportunity to pursue potential. You'll belong to a collaborative team that's exploring new and better ways to serve students, teachers and researchers across the globe - for the benefit of individuals, society and the world. Sharing our mission will inspire your own growth, development and progress, in an environment which embraces difference, change and aspiration.

Cambridge University Press & Assessment is committed to being a place where anyone can enjoy a successful career, where it's safe to speak up, and where we learn continuously to improve together. We welcome applications from all candidates, regardless of demographic characteristics (age, disability, educational attainment, ethnicity, gender, marital status, neurodiversity, religion, sex, gender identity and sexual identity), cultural, or social class/background. We believe better outcomes come through diversity of thought, background and approach. We welcome applications from people from all backgrounds and communities, actively seeking to employ people from a wide range of different communities.

Benefits

• 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Private medical and Permanent Health Insurance
• Discretionary annual bonus
• Group personal pension scheme
• Life assurance up to 4 x annual salary
• Green travel schemes