Head of Supplier Management

TN United Kingdom; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 40,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job description

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The Central Procurement Office (CPO), within the Directorate of Finance, is a professional resource supporting colleagues across the University to follow best practices and deliver value for money. The University spends approximately £600m annually across various categories and suppliers to support teaching, research, and operational activities.

The Team

The CPO is a small team of 20 members providing strategic guidance and operational support for procurement activities. Our vision is to deliver high-quality services through excellent processes aligned with the University's strategic goals, working collaboratively to achieve value for money.

The Role

This new strategic role will oversee contract and supplier management across the University. Initially, it will focus on supporting the Directorate of Estates to develop procedures for monitoring and managing contracts and cultivating supplier relationships. Once established, this approach will be expanded to other directorates.

The ideal candidate will be experienced in contract and supplier management, preferably qualified (e.g., MCIPS), with a comprehensive understanding of how these practices fit within the procurement cycle.

You should be confident in managing workloads, engaging with colleagues, and providing contractual, commercial, and professional support. Experience in stakeholder engagement within complex, diverse environments is advantageous.

You will work within the University’s Financial Regulations, Procedures, and Purchasing Policy, with a good understanding of procurement’s role in delivering value, managing risks, and supporting colleagues. Experience in driving social value outcomes through tenders and embedding these within contracts is preferred.

Your responsibilities include exploring spend data to identify efficiencies and cost savings, and working with end-users to implement procurement strategies such as tendering, contract improvements, and supplier rationalisation. Building relationships and proactively identifying opportunities are key.

You will join a friendly, professional team offering support and development opportunities to advance your career.

The University supports hybrid working; after an initial familiarisation period, the role will be hybrid, requiring attendance at least 2 days per week.

The Person

The successful candidate will demonstrate:

• Relevant experience and a degree or professional qualification in procurement, supply chain, or supplier management, with at least 3 years in a senior role.
• Experience working within complex, diverse, and devolved organisations.
• Knowledge of contract and supplier management, including risk management throughout the contract lifecycle.
• Understanding of regulatory and compliance requirements related to procurement.
• Experience with Third Party Risk Management (TPRM), Vendor Risk Management (VRM), or Supply Chain Risk Management (SCRM) systems.
• Strong team-building skills, with the ability to motivate and inspire confidence across diverse colleagues and suppliers.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, capable of engaging at all levels.
• Strong analytical skills to assess risks, identify trends, and develop mitigation strategies.
• Proven experience in leading strategic initiatives related to supplier and contract management.

Interviews

Interviews are expected to take place in person at the University campus in late May or early June. Please indicate any dates you are unavailable when applying. Full details will be provided in the interview invitation.

In addition to a competitive salary, benefits include:

• 29 days annual leave plus bank holidays
• Closure between Christmas and New Year
• Employee assistance programme supporting health and wellbeing
• Leading pension schemes, travel season ticket loans, workplace nursery, staff discounts, and more
• Opportunities for professional growth and development

The University of Manchester

The University is a leader in teaching, research, and social responsibility, part of the Russell Group, with a rich history of innovation and impact.

Founded in 1824, it has hosted 25 Nobel laureates and made significant contributions to science and society, including nuclear reactions, modern computers, and graphene research.

Our teaching creates transformative student experiences, fostering lifelong learning and global citizenship.

As we enter our third century, we remain committed to addressing global challenges with determination.

Our facts and figures

Ranked 6th in the UK and 52nd globally (2024), with a diverse community of over 44,000 students and 12,000 staff from 190 countries.

We are committed to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and are top-ranked for social and environmental impact in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings.

Ranked fifth for research power in the UK (REF 2021), and highly targeted by leading employers.

When completing your application, please refer to the job description and person specification, as these are crucial for shortlisting.

We are an equal-opportunity employer welcoming applicants from all backgrounds. All appointments are based on merit.

Our university supports flexible working; more information is available here.

Please note: We do not accept enquiries, CVs, or applications via recruitment agencies.