Supplier Engagement and Communications Planner

Co-op; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 32,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A community-focused retail organization is seeking a Supplier Engagement and Communications Planner in Manchester. This role requires delivering supplier-focused projects and enhancing communication between teams. Ideal candidates have trade or supply chain experience, strong analytical skills, and a collaborative spirit. The position offers a competitive salary, hybrid working, and various benefits aimed at personal and professional growth.

Benefits

Annual bonus

28 days holiday plus bank holidays

10% employer contribution pension

Access to subsidized onsite gym

Coaching and training for career development

Wagestream app for early pay access

Qualifications

• Experience in trading or supply chain environments.
• Ability to deliver creative and actionable solutions.
• Passion for improving supplier relationships and communication.

Responsibilities

• Deliver supplier-focused projects with senior management approval.
• Manage workload across multiple initiatives and shape project plans.
• Create impactful communications for internal and external audiences.
• Elevate risks or issues that could impact project success.
• Streamline communication between supplier-facing teams.

Skills

Analytical skills

Problem-solving skills

Communication skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Job description

Supplier Engagement and Communications Planner

£32,000 to £40,000 plus benefits (Work Level 6A)

Manchester city centre, hybrid working, splitting your time between working from home and coming into the office

We’re looking for a passionate and proactive Supplier Engagement Delivery Planner to join our supplier engagement team and help us strengthen the way we work with our suppliers and supplier facing teams. This role is all about improving communication between supplier-facing teams, embedding change, and driving sustainable improvements across our commercial operating model.

Why this role matters

You’ll play a key role in translating supplier feedback into actionable plans with our internal colleagues, working cross-functionally to ensure change is delivered effectively and consistently. If you come from a trading or supply chain background and thrive in collaborative environments, this is your chance to make a real impact across Co-op.

What You’ll Do

• Deliver a portfolio of supplier-focused projects, signed off by the business and led by the Supplier Engagement Senior Manager
• Shape project plans and manage your own workload across multiple initiatives
• Create compelling communications for internal and external audiences to clearly articulate change
• Partner with central events and communications teams to ensure timely delivery of supplier communications
• Champion excellence in delivery and ensure plans are embedded across teams
• Identify and elevate risks or issues that could impact project success
• Collaborate with peers to manage project overlaps and dependencies
• Act as a key connector between supplier-facing teams, helping to streamline communication and foster alignment

This Role Would Suit People Who

• Have experience in trading or supply chain environments
• Possess excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
• Can deliver creative, effective, and actionable solutions
• Communicate with clarity and influence across internal teams and external partners
• Learn quickly and thrive in cross-functional settings
• Are passionate about improving supplier relationships and communication

Why Co-op?

At Co-op, we’re owned by our members. And because we’re owned by you, we can do right by you. So when you join us, you’re not just taking a job, you’re joining a movement. We’re an organisation that puts people and communities first, and we’re powered by purpose. We want this to be a place where you can thrive, so you’ll also receive:

• An annual bonus (based on personal and business performance)
• 28 days holiday (rising to 32 with service) plus bank holidays
• A pension with up to 10% employer contributions
• Access to a subsidised onsite gym (at our Manchester HQ)
• Coaching and training to support your career development
• Wagestream app – giving you access to a percentage of your pay as you earn

Building a diverse environment

We’re actively building diverse teams and we welcome applications from everyone. If you have a disability, we can make reasonable adjustments to our recruitment process according to your needs. We're also part of the Disability Confident scheme, meaning we'll always offer an interview to disabled candidates who apply through the scheme if they meet the minimum criteria for a job.

We'll ask whether you’d like to be considered under the Disability Confident scheme when you apply.

If we invite you to take part in the recruitment process for any of our jobs, we’ll ask you if you need any reasonable adjustments to enable you to participate.

You can find out more about our recruitment process at jobs.coop.co.uk/apply-process

You can find out more about the Disability Confident scheme at Disability Confident Scheme - Co-op Colleagues and more about our commitments to diversity and inclusion at Diversity and Inclusion

Please note that we may close applications for this role early.

As part of your application, you'll need to complete an online assessment. This assessment typically takes up to 50 minutes. If you're a current Co-op colleague, this does not need to be completed.