Head of Carrier & Colocation

Arelion; London; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dynamic Business Management professional to lead a team of procurement specialists. This role involves managing supplier relationships, overseeing purchasing processes, and driving cost efficiency within the telecommunications sector. The ideal candidate will possess extensive knowledge of the carrier market, strong analytical capabilities, and a commitment to continuous improvement. Join a diverse workplace that values flexibility and promotes a healthy work-life balance, where your contributions will directly impact the success of the organization.

Benefits

Flexible working hours

Hybrid workspace

Health & Wellbeing

Healthy work-life balance

Diverse workplace

Equal Opportunity Employer

Qualifications

• Expertise in telecommunications and vendor management is essential.
• Strong analytical and documentation skills are required.

Responsibilities

• Manage a team of procurement specialists to meet business objectives.
• Control supplier performance and drive cost-saving initiatives.

Skills

Telecommunication sector expertise

Vendor management

Commercial awareness

Analytical skills

Documentation skills

Presentation skills

IT knowledge

Tools

SalesForce

Job description

Job Description

Business Management – direct responsibility for managing a team of purchasing professionals, who

• Purchase backbone and access related links (managed services, fibres, duct and sub-ducts) and colocation space as a part of Arelion's core network
• Handle RFIs, RFQs and RFPs in order to support the acquisition of these areas
• Raise and approve purchase orders (TPS) in SalesForce for network acquisition
• Lead and coordinate the order process interaction between Arelion and our network suppliers to ensure that all related orders are placed and then handed over to Service Delivery for delivery efficiently and effectively
• Maintain the leased inventory database (TPS) in SalesForce to be able to report on supplier spend and cost control
• Control and evolution of the Preferred Supplier List (PSL) for backbone, local access and colocation services globally
• Manage and control the interfaces between Arelion and our network related suppliers
• Gauge, monitor and report on supplier performance and ensure that key suppliers are managed via regular service review meetings
• Report on, lead and control cost of access initiatives
• Manage and drive supplier escalations as required
• Support on the development of SalesForce system and the procurement processes

Leadership:

• Management of a team of professional and experienced Procurement specialists; setting objectives and managing performance to achieve and meet a high level of performance
• Understanding business requirements, setting supplier strategy and shaping the team to deliver to, and exceed, objectives
• Motivation and enhancement of skills capacity
• Building strong relationships with other Arelion departments/stakeholders alongside key suppliers

Supplier Base Management:

• Ensure that suppliers are performing to their agreed contractual terms and take corrective action, as and where necessary, in order to create a baseline of continuous improvement
• Deliver best value from the supply chain and report on measurable value/KPIs
• Manage and control master supplier data in SalesForce and in the support Arelion ecosystem

Sourcing:

• Manage the supplier base and identify opportunities for cost savings and supplier rationalization
• Work with internal stakeholders to enhance and develop the existing Carrier & Colocation Procurement strategy to achieve Arelion business objectives and targets
• Lead strategic sourcing for network acquisition through Arelion stakeholder engagement, business requirement analysis, data gathering, internal/external communication and implementation

Analysis & Reporting:

• Conduct spend analysis
• Drive and report upon cost reduction activities for any leased area
• Control and management of forecasted spend versus actual spend
• To control and manage Senior Buyers by region when it comes to forecast control and submission

Communications:

• Hold weekly touch base meetings with team members as required alongside biannual face to face team meetings and monthly You First individual one-to-ones
• To take part in other departmental meetings as and when required; i.e. Sales, Product, Operations
• Conduct regular feedback surveys with internal and external stakeholders alike to improve quality and service

Skills & Requirements

• Extensive & fundamental expertise about the telecommunication sector / carrier market
• High level expertise in vendors/suppliers of capacity products & services
• High level of commercial awareness
• Excellent analytical skills
• High level of documentation and presentation skills
• Good IT knowledge

Great Place to Work

• Flexible working hours
• Hybrid workspace
• Health & Wellbeing
• A healthy work – life balance approach
• Diverse workplace
• Equal Opportunity Employer