Lead Vendor Relationship Manager

This is an exciting opportunity for you to join Capital One’s UK Supplier Management Office (SMO). Our Supplier Management Office is responsible for the management of the end-to-end Third Party life cycle for Capital One in the UK, including sourcing, contracting and ongoing supplier/vendor and relationship management. As the function continues to grow, we have an opportunity in a newly created role that will encompass people leadership & direct supplier management.

The ideal candidate will exhibit strong judgment, influencing, and problem-solving skills; will thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment and is passionate about leading others and delivering excellence from our suppliers and partners. You will operate in the Category that oversees the supplier relationships within our Operations and Marketing functions.

What you’ll do:

• Leadership of team: Lead a small team to set the Category up for success through effective objective setting & performance management.
• Coach your team to be successful Supplier/Vendor Managers, delivering on the Third Party Management Policy requirements and ultimately to deliver ongoing value for the business.
• Work alongside the Category Manager to deliver on Category Strategy through effective leadership of your direct reports.
• Category Support: Directly through your own managed suppliers, and indirectly through your team, you will support the business area stakeholders by overseeing the holistic relationship between Capital One and the assigned third parties, to ensure a stable and effective supply chain.
• Supply Chain Management: Be the assigned Supplier/Vendor Relationship Manager for Capital One’s relationships with Payment Schemes (Mastercard and Visa), responsible for undertaking all required activities to comply with Capital One's Third Party Management Policy at all stages of the Supplier life cycle.
• Manage the oversight and be the point of escalation for suppliers managed by your direct reports.
• Act as the primary point of contact for your suppliers and internal business stakeholders.
• Build wider market knowledge and insight for the category of Suppliers you and your team manage.
• Be a proficient Contract Manager, managing suppliers in accordance with contract and liaising with legal teams to amend, vary, renew and add to contractual arrangements over time.
• Ensure business goals are met through strong performance, risk and relationship oversight of our extended supply chain.
• Travel to various Capital One and third party sites as the role requires.

What we are looking for:

• Supplier/Vendor Relationship Management Experience: We would like to see specialism in Supplier/Vendor Relationship Management, with strong commercial, risk management, analytical, problem resolution skills.
• Leadership: Experience in leading a team, setting performance goals, and developing team members.
• Excellent and demonstrable communication, relationship building and stakeholder management skills.
• Previous experience of Risk Management as a core component of your role.
• Contracting experience: This role requires the role holder to work closely with COEP Legal to deliver Framework Agreements as well as core MSA’s & SOW’s across your supplier base.
• Ability to build strong internal and external relationships.
• We need a real team player who will focus on team and individual goals - but also the wider success of the SMO function and Capital One UK business.
• We are looking for someone with enthusiasm and passion for People Leadership and Vendor Relationship Management.

Where and how you'll work:

This is a permanent position based in our Nottingham office. We have a hybrid working model which gives you flexibility to work from our offices and from home. You’ll be based in our Nottingham office 3 days a week on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

What’s in it for you:

• We offer high performers strong and diverse career progression, investing heavily in developing great people through our Capital One University training programmes.
• Immediate access to our core benefits including pension scheme, bonus, generous holiday entitlement and private medical insurance.
• Open-plan workspaces and accessible facilities designed to inspire and support you.

What you should know about how we recruit:

We pride ourselves on hiring the best people, not the same people. Building diverse and inclusive teams is the right thing to do and the smart thing to do.

Capital One is committed to diversity in the workplace. If you require a reasonable adjustment, please contact ukrecruitment@capitalone.com. All information will be kept confidential and will only be used for the purpose of applying a reasonable adjustment.