Partner Performance Manager

Exchange for Change; Milton Keynes; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Base salary

Bonus

Hybrid work

Pension 5%

Life Insurance

Private Medical

Income protection

Family leave

34 days holiday

EAP

Job summary

Exchange for Change is launching a national Deposit Return Scheme and seeks a Partner Performance Manager to oversee regional supplier performance, governance and continuous improvement.

You will mobilise and go-live the scheme in collaboration with logistics providers, counting centres, retailers and internal teams, then drive performance post‑launch through KPIs, contract compliance and operational programmes.

Qualifications

• Experience managing outsourced operations and third‑party suppliers.
• Strong operations management experience within logistics, waste, or retail settings.
• Proven ability to manage supplier performance via KPIs and contracts.
• Excellent stakeholder management, negotiation and problem-solving skills.
• Willingness to travel extensively within the region.
• Experience delivering operational projects or change programmes.
• Ability to analyse data and translate insights into actions.

Responsibilities

• Own designated regional supplier relationships and drive performance.
• Monitor KPIs, SLAs and contractual targets; act on gaps.
• Support mobilisation and go‑live of the Deposit Return Scheme in region.
• Lead regional operational improvement programmes for efficiency.
• Engage retailers, local authorities and partners to align goals.
• Ensure regulatory and contract compliance across suppliers.
• Promote continuous improvement and share best practices.

Skills

Outsourced operations

Logistics management

Supplier performance KPIs

Stakeholder management

Project management

Data analysis

Negotiation

Travel willingness

Job description

About us

At Exchange for Change, we are building something the UK has never had before. Working across England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, we are designing and delivering a Deposit Return Scheme from the ground up, creating a system that helps reduce litter and waste by encouraging people to return their empty drinks bottles and cans for recycling.

We are industry led, and driven by purpose. A national movement with a clear mission. No bottle unreturned. No can left behind.

This is not just another job. This is a rare opportunity to do meaningful work, shape a landmark national programme, and help deliver lasting positive impact for people, businesses and the planet alike.

Your role

The role will act as the primary operational interface between the Scheme Administrator and its regional logistics, collection, counting and warehousing partners, ensuring suppliers consistently deliver safe, compliant, cost-effective, and high-quality services.

A key aspect of the role will be supporting the mobilisation, implementation, and successful go‑live of the Deposit Return Scheme. Working closely with suppliers, retailers, producers and internal stakeholders, the Partner Performance Manager will play a critical role in ensuring operational readiness, resolving implementation challenges, and supporting the successful launch of the scheme.

Following go‑live, the role will focus on supplier performance management, operational governance, continuous improvement, and delivery of strategic operational programmes that enhance service, efficiency, and sustainability.

Key Responsibilities & Priorities

Supplier Relationship Management

• Act as the primary relationship owner for designated regional service providers.
• Develop strong collaborative relationships that drive performance, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Conduct regular supplier performance reviews and governance meetings.
• Ensure suppliers understand and deliver against operational requirements and contractual obligations.
• Manage escalations and coordinate resolution of operational issues impacting service delivery.

Operational Performance Management

• Monitor supplier performance against agreed KPIs, SLAs, and contractual targets.
• Review operational data to identify risks, trends, opportunities, and areas requiring intervention.
• Challenge underperformance and develop recovery plans where required.
• Ensure operational performance supports scheme objectives relating to service, cost, compliance, and customer experience.
• Conduct regular site visits and operational reviews across supplier locations.

DRS Mobilisation & Go‑Live Support

• Support the implementation and mobilisation of the Deposit Return Scheme within the region.
• Coordinate readiness activities with logistics providers, counting centres, technology providers, and retailers.
• Track critical mobilisation milestones and elevate risks where appropriate.
• Support testing, trial activities, operational rehearsals, and launch preparations.
• Ensure suppliers have the required resources, infrastructure, processes, and capabilities in place for scheme launch.
• Act as a regional lead during go‑live activities, providing operational oversight and rapid issue resolution.

Strategic Operational Programmes

• Lead and support regional operational improvement initiatives.
• Deliver programmes aimed at improving service performance, operational efficiency, sustainability, and cost reduction.
• Identify opportunities to optimise logistics networks, collection frequencies, transport utilisation, and processing capacity.
• Support implementation of new operational processes, systems, and technologies.
• Work cross‑functionally to ensure operational programmes align with overall scheme objectives.

Stakeholder Management

• Build effective relationships with retailers, local authorities, service providers, and internal teams.
• Represent the Scheme Administrator in supplier and stakeholder meetings.
• Support communication and engagement activities throughout mobilisation and operational phases.
• Collaborate with operational, finance, technology, compliance, and customer support teams to resolve issues and improve service delivery.

Contract & Compliance Management

• Ensure suppliers operate in accordance with contractual obligations and regulatory requirements.
• Monitor supplier compliance with health and safety, environmental, quality, and operational standards.
• Lead contract governance processes and supplier audits.
• Identify contractual risks and opportunities and accelerate coverage where necessary.

Continuous Improvement

• Promote a culture of operational excellence and continuous improvement.
• Analyse performance data to identify trends and improvement opportunities.
• Support root‑cause analysis of operational failures and implementation of corrective actions.
• Share best practices across suppliers and regions.
• Contribute to long‑term operational strategy development.

About you

Essential

• Experience managing outsourced operations, service providers, or third‑party suppliers.
• Strong operational management experience within logistics, supply chain, waste, recycling, environmental services, retail operations, or infrastructure sectors.
• Proven experience managing supplier performance through KPIs and contractual frameworks.
• Strong stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• Experience delivering operational projects or change programmes.
• Ability to analyse data and translate insights into operational actions.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and problem‑solving skills.
• Willingness to travel extensively within the assigned region.

Desirable

• Experience within a Deposit Return Scheme, circular economy, recycling, waste management, or environmental compliance environment.
• Knowledge of logistics network operations and transport management.
• Experience supporting large‑scale operational mobilisation or go‑live programmes.
• Contract management and supplier governance experience.
• Project management qualifications or experience.

The opportunity

Work that makes a difference - and a place where you can too.

This is a once‑in‑a‑generation opportunity to help establish a scheme of national importance, working with purpose‑driven colleagues and partners to deliver visible, real‑world impact. You’ll contribute directly to meaningful environmental and social change and in return, we support and reward our team through a range of benefits and initiatives, including:

• Competitive base salary
• Bonus scheme
• 34 days holiday inclusive of bank holidays, additional holidays for length of service
• Flexibility with holidays. You may work on a local public holiday and take an alternative day off, giving you the freedom to celebrate the days that matter most to you.
• 5% employer pension contribution
• Life Insurance: Cover of 4 times base salary
• Private Medical Insurance: Includes GP access and an Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) for wellbeing support
• Income protection
• Family Leave: Maternity, adoption, parental, and paternity leave policies will be developed to be progressive and inclusive.
• Hybrid Working: 60% office or field‑based and 40% home‑based, with some flexibility according to business and personal needs.