Supplier Relationship Manager

Direct Line Group; London; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Direct Line Group is seeking a Supplier Relationship Manager for Outsourced Partnerships. This hybrid position involves overseeing supplier performance, building relationships, and negotiating contracts within the Green Flag Patrol Network. We're looking for someone with proven supplier management experience and the ability to influence stakeholders, supported by excellent benefits and a commitment to diversity in the workplace.

Benefits

50% off home, motor and pet insurance

Free Green Flag breakdown cover

Up to 10% annual bonus

25 days holiday plus bank holidays

Optional Health and Dental insurance

EV car scheme

Buy as you earn share scheme

Employee discounts and cashback

Qualifications

• Proven experience in managing external suppliers effectively.
• Strong ability to manage budgets and commercial performance.

Responsibilities

• Manage relationships and performance of external suppliers in the Green Flag Patrol Network.
• Ensure adherence to contractual KPI metrics and customer outcomes.
• Lead sourcing and onboarding of new suppliers while managing risks.

Skills

Supplier Management

Relationship Management

Budget Management

Conflict Resolution

Stakeholder Engagement

Job description

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Supplier Relationship Manager of Outsourced Partnerships

Any Direct Line Group Location – Hybrid working, 2 days per week in the office

Fixed Term Contract - Up to 12 months

DLG is evolving. Across every facet of our business, our teams are embracing new opportunities and putting customers at the heart of everything they do. By joining them, you’ll have the opportunity to not just be recognised for your skills but encouraged to build upon them and empowered to do your absolute best.

Stuck on the side of the road? We’re the people you call. Green Flag is a roadside rescue and recovery service rooted in independence and efficiency. We work smart - bringing the very best local technicians and independent garages across the UK together under one (green) flag. Our local specialists really are the bee’s knees. The top bananas. The dog’s, well, you know. Identical, flashy vans aren’t really their style. Why bother when they have all the skills they need to get our customers back on the move as quickly as possible.

What you’ll do

Reporting to the Head of Outsourced Partnerships, in this role you will beresponsible for the day-to-day management of designated suppliers within the Green Flag Patrol Network. You will manage the performance of designated suppliers, be accountable for leading and developing relationships and lead on sourcing new suppliers, working alongside procurement in negotiating commercials.

• Accountable for commercial spend within the supply chain.
• Accountable for identifying new suppliers where relevant and appropriate, engaging P&SC as required. Onboard and carry out due diligence on new suppliers.
• Responsible for geographical performance on contractual KPI metrics and customer outcomes.
• Complete RCA, have the ability to interrogate data and work with data science to enhance our dashboards.
• Take ownership of performance of your designated suppliers.
• Support the removal of suppliers when appropriate following the relevant governance procedures.
• Manage the relationships of external suppliers, holding performance reviews (15 – 30 suppliers).
• Be commercially aware, manage income and revenue performance with support from P&SC.
• Ability to build strong relationships, built on strong foundations based on trust and integrity.
• Own the risk framework of your area. Be aware and adhere to competition law and report breaches, ensuring suppliers are compliant with DLG’s requirements, including, PES checks, PAS43 and work on actions from SCM audits.
• Proactively communicate with service providers and colleagues to manage expectations and achieve the right outcome.
• Be an escalation point for internal and external stakeholders. Have the ability to problem solve, make decisions that are right for our customers and shareholders.
• Ensure suppliers are adhering to our processes, monitor and track their financial stainability and work on any disputes with age debt to avoid issues with cashflow.
• Able to deal with conflict at a senior level, have an emotional resilience and able to adapt your communication style under pressure.
• Carry out supplier audits, in line with DLGs risk framework and adhere to our processes.
• Be available to support out of hours issues on an on-call rota basis
• Manage all complaints in a timely manner and escalate any trends to the Head of business
• Be the key link between our Patrols team, Health & Saftey areas and the Green Flag Network to ensure best practice is adopted, scrutinised and continually refined.
• Appropriately build and execute strategies for any SURGE events across the Green Flag Network to ensure the needs of the customer, brand and business are met and exceeded.
• Through your network maximise roadside revenue opportunities as necessary, and highlight potential new streams to drive revenue.

Our hybrid model offers a 'best of both worlds' approach. When you'll be in the office depends on your role and team, but colleagues spend at least 2 days a week in the office

What you'll need

• Supplier & Relationship Management Experience, proven ability to manage external suppliers, build strong partnerships, and hold performance reviews.
• Experience managing budgets, commercial spend, and revenue performance within a supplier network.
• Ability to manage escalations, resolve conflicts, and make informed decisions that balance customer experience and business needs.
• Experience sourcing and onboarding new suppliers, working alongside procurement teams to negotiate contracts.
• A background in the automotive industry would be advantageous, but this is not essential.
• Strong ability to manage your own diary, work independently, and collaborate effectively as part of a team.
• The ability to be engaging with and influencing both internal and external stakeholders.

What we’ll give you in return:

We wouldn’t be where we are today without our people and the wide variety of perspectives and life experiences they bring. That’s why we offer excellent benefits to suit your lifestyle and a flexible working model combining the best parts of home and office-working, varying with the nature of your role. Core benefits include:

• 50% off home, motor and pet insurance plus free Green Flag breakdown cover
• Up to 10% annual bonus
• 25 days holiday (rising by 1 each year to 28) + bank holidays and option to buy or sell up to 5 days
• Additional optional Health and Dental insurance
• EV car scheme allows all colleagues to lease a brand new electric or plug-in hybrid car in a tax efficient way.
• Buy as you earn share scheme
• Employee discounts and cashback

Be yourself

Direct Line Group is an equal opportunity employer, and we think diversity of background and thinking is a big strength in our people. We're delighted to feature as one of the UK's Top 50 Inclusive Employers and are committed to making our business an inclusive place to work, where everyone can be themselves and succeed in their careers. We know you're more than a CV, and the things that make you, you, are what bring potential to our business. We recognise and embrace people that work in different ways so if you need any adjustments to our recruitment process, please speak to the recruitment team who will be happy to support you.