Supplier Management Development Lead
| Job Type | Contract |
| Location | Whittington or Andover |
| Area | South West, UK |
| Sector | Procurement & Commercial |
| Salary | £590 Per Day |
| Start Date | March 30th, 2026 |
| Advertiser | Jack Latter |
| Job Ref | 7396-PSR1JP00100800 |
| IR35 | Inside |
| Security Clearance | SC |
- Description
- The Client:
A government department client is looking for a Supplier Management Development Lead to join them on a 6 month contract. This position will be based in Whittington or Andover.
Job Summary:
- Play an active and effective role in meetings, as a representative of the Commercial Function.
- Lead a team, building their confidence and commercial capability to drive performance and manage setbacks.
- Provide both decisive and educated leadership, facilitating the engagement and effectiveness of the commercial team. Successfully engage, lead, coach and inspire the team to reinforce the client leadership values. Deliver all required line management activities to ensure the team deliver their objectives.
- Ensure that client activities adhere to legal and regulatory requirements, contractual obligations and ethical considerations. Advance Government policy, including sustainability and social value, through all commercial relationships.
- Contribute to the improvement of commercial awareness and capability across the organisation to ensure best practice is applied through all phases of the commercial lifecycle.
- Represent client with industry executives; and support the delivery of client strategy and policy, as a senior leader.
- The role holder will support the reset of the fundamentals of SRM, promoting a ‘back to basics’ approach including good contract management and Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) implementation.
- They will drive forward Cabinet Office and defence policies, collaboratively working with Key Suppliers and Cabinet Office Representatives to reduce risk, reduce costs, improve delivery and performance, harness innovation and add social value within the Commercial portfolio.
- You will develop effective relationships with the supply base to enable total oversight and to proactively report industry insights and supplier health within that base.
Delivery:
- You will be expected to lead on the management of the supply chain and supplier performance, resilience and fragility.
- You will build effective relationships with clients and suppliers which are underpinned by collaborative behaviours, ensuring the identification of opportunities to continuously improve the delivery of infrastructure services to the client.
You will be expected to support with the following SRM activities:
- Working effectively with senior staff in the supplier organisation and establishing appropriate governance and relationship arrangements.
- Measuring performance, challenging inefficient processes and practices and making proposals for improvement.
- Applying a strong visual project management approach to procurement projects.
- Analysing options, managing trade-offs flowing from decisions and mitigating key risks.
- Applying the concept of ‘value for money’ with respect to political goals and using this to articulate what a successful return on investment looks like.
- Maintaining Commercial and corporate records and compliance.
- Sharing knowledge and best practice to achieve better outcomes.
- Deliver cash and efficiency savings to support the departments financial position and maintain a category level savings pipeline, demonstrating delivery against forecast.
- Ensure that Supplier Relationship Management methodologies and best practice is utilised throughout the lifecycle of the projects, programmes and procurements.
- Support to the development of the Supplier Relationship Strategy and associated processes in accordance with Cabinet Office and client Policies, promoting performance, risk and data management and ensuring the department drives value through its commercial arrangements.
- Engagement with strategic suppliers, Crown Rep relationships, and Business Groups to drive supplier performance, commercial rigour, quality service, continuous improvement and innovation.
- Representation at Business Services Association and industry events such as, DPRTE, Meet the Buyer, UKIS and others as required.
- Supply Chain Mapping and Contingency Planning.
- Providing advice/reports on economic and market behaviour, concentration, competition, shape and drivers to secure value.
- Procurement pipeline development and maintenance.
- Support optimal relevant governance structure, currently comprising: Supplier Management Board, Supplier Forum, Supplier Management Committee, Disputes Board Supplier workshops and webinars (evolve this as needed).
- Consider the long-term resilience of supply chains and taking opportunities to mitigate the risks and develop opportunities.
- Evaluating and engaging with strategic and non-strategic suppliers to ensure a competitive landscape and to manage the supply change.
- Producing and analysing data to inform category strategy and sector management, identifying new markets, quantify risks to inform whether market making, or development is required (to increase competition and improve ‘value for money’ in contracts).
Customer:
- Be a point of contact for key suppliers, colleagues and customers in respect of SRM, facilitating an interface into the Commercial department with a focus on improvement to delivery, risk management, problem solving and engagement to ensure that the customer requirements are met, providing expert commercial advice.
- Develop senior customer relationships and influence business strategies.
- Contribute to the quarterly update provided to ExCo/Board, with an overview of resilience across key sectors and supply chains.
- Engage with stakeholders to understand their motivations and behaviours to influence decision making.
- Provide information to the customer to keep them informed regarding markets and supply chains, including Government led activities.
People:
- Accountable to the portfolio lead for the leadership and management of the SRM team.
- Lead the team, ensuring an overview of activity, and in accordance with client guidance and policies.
- Support workforce planning for the portfolio to ensure the team is resourced to meet the customer demand, including talent management, succession planning and development plans.
- Contribute to the development, implementation and delivery of an engagement action plan in response to survey feedback to improve the working environment and experience within the team.
- Actively support department initiatives implemented to address staff survey responses and performance management.
- Ensure development plans are in place across the team.
- Mentoring and providing guidance to junior members of the team.
An active SC clearance is required for this role. At a minimum, candidates must be eligible and willing to undergo security clearance. Due to the short-term nature of the contract and the urgency of the requirement, the client may prioritise applicants who already hold active SC clearance and meet all essential criteria.
Our Company:
Malikshaw Interim & Executive is a specialist provider of talent management solutions helping our clients transform the delivery of our public services. As an Equal Opportunities Employer, we combine providing the best talent with delivering diverse, inclusive workforces and particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented. These include people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, disabled people, LGBTQI+ people, and women.
How to Apply:
Please apply through the link provided to send your application directly to the Recruiter managing this assignment.
Disability Confident:
As a member of the disability confident scheme, the Client guarantees to interview all candidates who have a disability and who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of candidates who have a disability who meet all the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group.
Armed Forces Covenant:
As a member of the Armed Forces Covenant, the Client guarantees to interview all veterans or spouses / partners of military personnel who meet all the essential criteria for the vacancy. In cases where we have a high volume of ex-military candidates / military spouses or partners, who meet all of the essential criteria, we will interview the best candidates from within that group.
If you qualify for any of the above, please notify us on your covering letter and your recruiter will confirm if the client is a member. We will then be in touch to discuss your suitability and arrange your Guaranteed Interview.
Should you require reasonable adjustments at any point during the recruitment process or if there is a more accessible way for us to communicate, please do let me know.
- Play an active and effective role in meetings, as a representative of the Commercial Function.
