At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage supplier relationships and oversee contract lifecycles to ensure compliance and performance.
- Company: Join a Great Place to Work-Certified company transforming the accounting and finance profession.
- Benefits: Flexible work-life balance, healthcare, pension plan, and tailored benefits for your lifestyle.
- Other info: Opportunities for continuous learning and career development in a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Be part of a diverse team making a real impact in procurement and vendor management.
- Qualifications: High school diploma and 2+ years in vendor support or procurement roles.
About the Role: The Supplier Relationship Manager supports stakeholders across the Association. You'll look after the full life cycle when working with a supplier, from research through to contract delivery and annual renewal. You'll look after execution strategies, providing oversight, and influencing global consistency. This role provides guidance and scaled support to important teams across our business. You will manage the optimisation of the IT commercial and procurement programme, ensuring IT business and administrative practices are aligned with budget and our needs, for vendor management and procurement matters. You will report to the Senior Director - Strategic Supplier Relationships as an individual contributor. You will use a hybrid work schedule and meet in our office once a week.
You Will:
- Build relationships with a broad spectrum of suppliers, ranging in size and services, to ensure foster collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement that supports our goals.
- Oversee the full contract lifecycle, including drafting and agreement of contract details, execution, and renewals, ensuring compliance with legal and commercial terms for tier 2 or established suppliers.
- Lead commercial negotiations to secure favourable terms, pricing, and value-added services, while mitigating risk and ensuring compliance with procurement policies.
- Monitor supplier performance driving accountability and initiating corrective actions where performance gaps are identified.
- Provide established analytical and financial data to support IT leadership with review of Business Cases and IT Project Demand requests.
- Manage the centralization of the IT Supplier Segmentation Process.
- Partner with the team to manage vendor processes, ensuring operational efficiency and compliance with procurement workflows.
- Develop an understanding of supplier services and capabilities. Be the internal advocate for suppliers, representing their offerings and managing them on behalf of the Association to ensure mutual success.
- Ensure suppliers follow regulatory, security, and compliance requirements, including ESG and audit readiness (e.g. SOC reports).
- Manage supplier-related budgets, track spend against forecasts and identify opportunities for cost savings and budget optimization.
You Have:
- A high school diploma, or equivalent education.
- 2+ years' experience in a vendor support, procurement or administrative role.
- Familiarity with financial reporting and budgeting.
How We Support You: We provide flexibility to help you achieve a good work-life balance. You'll be part of a global, diverse team who foster an environment of inclusion and belonging where you are valued for who you are and where you come from. We offer benefit options in and out of the workplace, including healthcare, pension plan, annual leave, parental leave, an employee assistance program. We care about our employees' welfare and focus our benefits package on the benefits which support your wellbeing. We also recognise that everyone has different priorities, so in addition to our core benefits to support your health we offer flexible options for you to choose benefits that are right for you, your family and your lifestyle. We believe in non-stop learning and are committed to investing in learning opportunities that help you reach your full potential and support your continued development.
About Us: At The Association, a Great Place to Work-Certified company, we are transforming the accounting and finance profession. We are future-focused, empowering the world's most accomplished accountants to stay relevant, meet today's demands, and prepare for tomorrow's challenges through quality education, resources, and training.
We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, colour, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender, gender identity or expression, or veteran status. We are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace.
Associate Manager - IT Supplier Relationship Management in London employer: Association
The Association is an exceptional employer for a Tax Manager with a VAT focus, offering a unique opportunity to expand your expertise within a collaborative global tax team. With a strong commitment to employee wellbeing, we provide flexible work arrangements, comprehensive benefits, and continuous learning opportunities, all while fostering an inclusive culture that values diversity. Located in London, our hybrid work model allows you to balance professional growth with personal commitments, making it an ideal environment for meaningful and rewarding employment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Associate Manager - IT Supplier Relationship Management in London
✨Get Savvy with Industry Perks
Join procurement and purchasing forums or groups where pros hang out, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply). They'll share the inside scoop on job openings that might not show up on traditional job boards!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Consider creating a portfolio that outlines your achievements in procurement, like cost-saving initiatives or supplier management strategies. Having tangible evidence of your skills can really set you apart when applying to companies like Association.
✨Tap into Your Network
Leverage LinkedIn to connect with professionals in procurement—follow relevant hashtags, join groups, and engage in discussions. This is a great way to get noticed by potential employers before they even post a job!
✨Keep Your Eyes on Job Boards
With full-time positions, timing can be everything. Set alerts on job boards specifically for procurement roles. Don't wait for a job posting to close; apply through our website as soon as you see a fit—being proactive can give you the edge!
We think you need these skills to ace Associate Manager - IT Supplier Relationship Management in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Procurement Know-How:When you're crafting your CV, make sure to highlight any procurement-specific skills you've got. Talk about your experience with supplier negotiations, cost analysis, or inventory management. If you’ve used software like SAP or Oracle, don’t forget to mention that too – it shows you know your way around the tech side of things!
Quantify Your Achievements:In procurement, numbers matter. Use your CV and cover letter to showcase any quantifiable achievements you've made in reducing costs or improving efficiencies. For example, mentioning that you helped save 20% on purchasing costs last year is way more impressive than just saying you managed the budget!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Association:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to Association. Research the company’s procurement strategy, mention how your skills align with their goals, and share your enthusiasm for contributing to their success. This personal touch can really set you apart from the crowd!
Professional Certs Can Go a Long Way:If you've got any procurement-related certifications, such as CIPS or APICS, make sure they're front and centre on your CV. These qualifications show you're serious about your career in procurement and are committed to continuous learning. It’s a great way to signal your expertise and dedication to potential employers like Association.
How to prepare for a job interview at Association
✨Show Off Your Negotiation Skills
In procurement, strong negotiation skills are key. Be ready to share examples of past negotiations where you've successfully saved costs or improved supplier terms. We want to hear how you approached those situations and the strategies you used to achieve positive outcomes!
✨Know Your Tools
Make sure you’re familiar with procurement software and tools commonly used in the industry, such as SAP Ariba or Coupa. Come prepared to discuss any experiences you've had with these tools or similar platforms, as we need someone who can hit the ground running at Association!
✨Understand Market Trends
As a procurement professional, being aware of market trends can set you apart. Brush up on recent developments in supply chain management or procurement best practices and think about how they could impact your role at Association. Bringing a current perspective will show your enthusiasm for the industry.
✨Demonstrate Your Team Player Attitude
A full-time position means you'll be working closely with various teams. Be prepared to discuss how you collaborate with others, manage conflicts, and build relationships with stakeholders. Sharing anecdotes about past teamwork experiences will highlight your ability to fit into Association's culture.
