Carrier Relations Manager - Infrastructure UK, Ireland

Colt Technology Services; London; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Senior CRM for Infrastructure to lead procurement strategies across EMEA. This role involves vendor selection, contract negotiation, and collaboration with internal teams to drive cost-effective solutions. You'll manage supplier relationships and contribute to impactful projects while fostering a culture of innovation and inclusion. If you are detail-oriented, possess strong communication skills, and have a passion for telecoms infrastructure, this is the perfect opportunity for you to make a significant impact in a dynamic environment.

Benefits

Flexible Hours

Remote Work Options

Development Opportunities

Comprehensive Health Support

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in telecoms infrastructure and supplier management.
• Strong data analysis skills and proficiency in Excel.

Responsibilities

• Oversee vendor selection, onboarding, and contract development.
• Manage bidding processes and negotiate costs for infrastructure services.

Skills

Telecoms Infrastructure Experience

Contract Negotiation

Data Analysis

Communication Skills

Project Management

Tools

Excel

Outlook

Word

Teams

Job description

Colt provides network, voice, and data centre services to thousands of businesses worldwide, enabling them to focus on their core goals instead of infrastructure management.

Why we need this role

Reporting to the Director of Infrastructure Management, this role oversees a diverse portfolio of infrastructure suppliers across EMEA. The Senior CRM – Infrastructure is responsible for sourcing and onboarding new providers for Dark Fibre and Space & Power, negotiating agreements, and managing vendor relationships throughout the lifecycle. The role involves collaborating with internal teams to drive cost-effective procurement, leading bids for network expansion projects, and delivering measurable savings. Additionally, the role shapes 3–5-year procurement strategies, identifies cost optimisation opportunities, and mentors junior team members.

What you will do

1. Vendor Selection and Onboarding: Identify potential vendors and manage onboarding for dark fibre, co-location space, and power.
2. Contract Development: Develop, negotiate, and approve Master Service Agreements, Contracts, and Purchase Orders.
3. Solution Development: Work with Sales, Strategy, and CRM to develop bespoke infrastructure solutions and obtain quotations.
4. Cost Negotiation and Contract Placement: Negotiate costs, obtain approvals, and place orders.
5. Project Management: Manage bidding processes, identify and deliver cost savings, and oversee contract lifecycle costs.
6. Escalation Handling: Address service delivery, fault management, and payment escalations.
7. Invoice & Inventory Validation: Support finance functions with invoice and inventory validation, managing terms and costs.
8. Vendor Management: Build relationships with key suppliers, conduct reviews, and ensure SLA compliance.
9. Market Intelligence: Liaise with industry contacts to stay informed on market, regulatory, and technology trends.
10. Vendor Strategy: Define 3-5-year supplier and regional strategies.
11. Additional Responsibilities: Support Rights of Way in-region, communicate in English, and other duties as assigned.

What we're looking for

Experience

• Extensive telecoms infrastructure experience (bandwidth, SubSea, fibre, duct & RoW), knowledge of DF & WDM technologies.
• Experience managing large RFPs, network builds, and supplier relationships.
• Proficiency with large data sets and complex business case modeling.
• Contract negotiation experience.
• Ability to collaborate across geographies and influence stakeholders.

Skills

• Self-motivated, detail-oriented, with excellent communication skills in English and German.
• Strong data analysis and Excel skills; proficient with Outlook, Word, Teams.
• Willingness to travel 0-20% for meetings and conferences.

Additional Qualities

• Effective prioritisation and planning skills.
• Clear and positive communicator, even in difficult situations.
• Strong interpersonal skills, team-oriented, results-focused, pragmatic.
• Ability to identify bottlenecks and resolve conflicts efficiently.

What we offer you

At Colt, you'll make a difference. We empower our people to innovate and lead, working on impactful projects worldwide. We value diversity and inclusion, fostering a culture where everyone can thrive. Our benefits include flexible hours, remote work options, development opportunities, and comprehensive health and well-being support.