Strategic Supplier & Commercial Manager

The Automobile Association; Basingstoke; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave + bank holidays

Pension scheme (Worksave)

Free AA breakdown membership

Discounts on AA products

Employee discount programme

Life assurance

Learning & development opportunities

Employee Assistance Programme

Job summary

The Automobile Association (The AA) is seeking a Strategic Supplier & Commercial Manager to lead supplier relationships and maximise value from key contracts. You will work within the Procurement function, combining commercial thinking with supplier relationship management to improve performance, unlock value, and manage third-party spend.

You'll own strategic supplier relationships, influence senior stakeholders, and drive cost optimisation while upholding governance and risk management across

Qualifications

• Track record of managing complex supplier relationships.
• Strong commercial procurement expertise.
• Ability to interpret spend and financial information (OPEX and CAPEX).
• Experience in regulated or complex organisations.

Responsibilities

• Own and develop relationships with strategic suppliers through regular business reviews, managing performance, risks and improvement actions.
• Lead and support commercial activity across contract renewals, negotiations, amendments and exits.
• Identify opportunities for cost optimisation, efficiencies, revenue generation and value creation.
• Partner with senior stakeholders to shape sourcing and supplier strategies and provide commercial insight.
• Monitor supplier performance via MI, KPIs and market intelligence, driving improvement with suppliers and internal teams.
• Support supplier governance and risk management, ensuring procurement policies and third-party governance obligations are met.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Strategic supplier management

Commercial negotiations

Supplier performance monitoring

Cost optimisation

Job description

For over a century, we've been evolving and adapting. Today, as the nation's leading motoring organisation, we offer a wide range of products and services to millions of customers. From roadside assistance to home and motor insurance, and the latest driving technologies, we have it all. As we continue to expand, diversify, and modernise, joining us as a Supplier & Commercial Manager means you'll play a crucial role in our success and be part of this exciting motoring journey. Our Chief Operating Office (COO) are the backbone of The AA, providing both stability and structure to support growth and innovation. We are the drivers of change. #LI-HybridThis is the job As our Strategic Supplier & Commercial Manager, you'll play a key role in ensuring the AA gets the best possible value from its strategic supplier relationships. Working within our Procurement function, you'll combine commercial thinking, supplier relationship management and strong business partnering to improve performance, unlock value and effectively manage commercial and supplier risk. This is an influential role where you'll work closely with senior stakeholders and strategic suppliers, taking ownership of complex commercial relationships and helping shape how we manage third party spend. You'll bring external market insight, challenge established thinking and identify opportunities to improve cost, service, innovation and commercial outcomes across the AA.

• Own and develop relationships with strategic suppliers, leading regular business reviews and ensuring performance, risks, opportunities and improvement actions are effectively managed.
• Lead and support commercial activity across contract renewals, negotiations, amendments and supplier exits, protecting service continuity while delivering strong commercial outcomes.
• Identify and deliver opportunities for cost optimisation, efficiencies, revenue generation and wider value creation through existing and prospective supplier relationships.
• Partner with senior stakeholders to understand business priorities, shape sourcing and supplier strategies, and provide commercial insight that constructively challenges decision making.
• Monitor supplier performance through meaningful MI, KPIs and market intelligence, intervening where required and driving improvement and innovation with suppliers and internal teams.
• Support effective supplier governance and risk management, ensuring procurement policies, regulatory requirements and third-party governance obligations are consistently met. Strong commercial procurement expertise, with a solid understanding of strategic supplier management, sourcing, contracting and the wider procurement lifecycle.
• A track record of managing complex supplier relationships and using commercial levers, performance data and effective SRM practices to deliver tangible business value.
• Strong commercial negotiation capability, with the confidence to navigate complex contractual discussions, resolve challenges and constructively challenge suppliers and stakeholders.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the credibility to influence senior leaders and translate commercial or market insight into clear recommendations.
• A strong understanding of supplier governance and risk management, ideally gained within a regulated or similarly complex organisation.
• Commercial and analytical acumen, with the ability to interpret spend and financial information, including OPEX and CAPEX, and use data to support effective decision making. We're always looking to recognise and reward our employees for the work they do. As a valued member of The AA team, you'll have access to a range of benefits including:
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays + holiday buying scheme
• Worksave pension scheme with up to 7% employer contribution
• Free AA breakdown membership from Day 1 plus 50% discount for family and friends
• Discounts on AA products including car and home insurance
• Employee discount scheme that gives you access to a car salary sacrifice scheme plus great discounts on healthcare, shopping, holidays and more
• Company funded life assurance
• Diverse learning and development opportunities to support you to progress in your career
• Dedicated Employee Assistance Programme and a 24/7 remote GP service for you and your family

Plus, so much more! We're an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from everyone. The AA values diversity and the difference this brings to our culture and our customers. We actively seek people from diverse backgrounds to join us and become part of an inclusive company where you can be yourself, be empowered to be your best and feel like you truly belong. We have five communities to bring together people with shared characteristics and backgrounds and drive positive change.