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- Tasks: Evaluate and oversee suppliers to ensure quality and compliance with standards.
- Company: Join The AA, a trusted UK brand providing essential services to millions.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days leave, pension contributions, discounts, and diverse learning opportunities.
- Why this job: Be part of a mission-driven team focused on excellence and social impact.
- Qualifications: 6+ years in auditing or supplier management; strong analytical and communication skills required.
- Other info: We value diversity and encourage applications from all backgrounds.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
The AA is one of the UK’s most well-known and trusted brands. We provide a range of services to millions of customers, from roadside assistance to financial services, insurance, and driving lessons. Our mission is to help keep Britain moving, and we’re looking for dedicated individuals to join our team.
Are you passionate about ensuring quality and compliance? Reporting to the Head of Assurance, this pivotal role involves evaluating and overseeing our suppliers to ensure they meet contractual obligations, quality standards, and regulatory requirements. You will be instrumental in maintaining our reputation for excellence by identifying risks, driving improvements, and ensuring adherence to both internal and external standards.
What will I be doing?
- Develop and maintain a supplier audit schedule in line with risk assessments and business priorities, in conjunction with the Head of Procurement Technology and SRM and the Procurement Operations Lead.
- Conduct on-site and remote audits of suppliers to evaluate compliance with contractual agreements, quality standards, and regulatory requirements.
- Review supplier documentation, processes, and controls to identify gaps and risks.
- Assess the relevant suppliers against key performance indicators (KPIs), contractual SLAs, and regulatory requirements.
- Identify potential risks and non-conformances, and provide actionable recommendations to mitigate them.
- Ensure suppliers align with The AA’s values and standards, including ethical sourcing, data protection, and environmental practices.
- Prepare detailed audit reports outlining findings, risks, and recommended corrective actions.
- Communicate audit outcomes to suppliers and relevant internal stakeholders, and report findings and MI into the Supplier Governance Committee, and into the Supply Chain Resilience workstream.
- Follow up on corrective actions to ensure implementation and resolution of non-conformances.
- Work closely with procurement, risk, compliance teams, and supplier performance leads to improve supplier management processes.
- Work with the Head of Assurance to develop reporting dashboards and support the production of insightful management information and value-add reports for governance committees and forums, including particularly the Supplier Governance Forum.
- Stakeholder management across the wider business with colleagues including the senior leadership team, to communicate scope, discuss review findings and agree actions.
- Delivery of well-written structured reports that prescribe appropriate, relevant, and pragmatic corrective action.
- Work closely with the wider 2nd line assurance functions to continually improve processes and systems for assurance reviews, with an emphasis on business service levels, productivity, efficiency optimisation, and long-term benefits.
What do I need?
- At least 6 years’ experience in auditing, quality assurance, or supplier management.
- Strong understanding of relevant regulatory and industry standards (e.g., ISO standards, GDPR, FCA regulations, etc).
- Excellent analytical skills with attention to detail.
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills to build effective relationships with suppliers and internal teams.
- Familiarity with risk assessment frameworks and tools.
- Proficiency in preparing reports and presenting findings in a clear, concise manner.
- Experience with people management, delivering feedback, and mentoring.
- Demonstrable experience of working with, and challenging, senior managers.
- Proven track record of annual planning and delivery of compliance/assurance monitoring.
- Objective, timely, and good decision-making skills.
- Self-management planning and organisation to prioritise workloads, meet service level agreements, and keep up to date with business developments.
- Experience in the insurance or automotive industries (desirable).
Additional information
We’re always looking to recognise and reward our employees for the work they do. As a valued member of The AA team, you’ll have access to a range of benefits including:
- 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays + holiday buying scheme.
- Worksave pension scheme with up to 7% employer contribution.
- Free AA breakdown membership from Day 1 plus 50% discount for family and friends.
- Discounts on AA products including car and home insurance.
- Employee discount scheme that gives you access to a car salary sacrifice scheme plus great discounts on healthcare, shopping, holidays, and more.
- Company funded life assurance.
- Diverse learning and development opportunities to support you to progress in your career.
- Dedicated Employee Assistance Programme and a 24/7 remote GP service for you and your family.
We’re an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from everyone. The AA values diversity and the difference this brings to our culture and our customers. We actively seek people from diverse backgrounds to join us and become part of an inclusive company where you can be yourself, be empowered to be your best, and feel like you truly belong.
Supplier Assurance Manager employer: Automobile Association
Contact Detail:
Automobile Association Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Supplier Assurance Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the key regulatory and industry standards mentioned in the job description, such as ISO standards and GDPR. This knowledge will not only help you understand the role better but also demonstrate your commitment to compliance during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the auditing and supplier management fields. Attend relevant industry events or join online forums to connect with others who may have insights into the role or the company culture at The AA.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples from your past experience that showcase your analytical skills and attention to detail. Think about situations where you've identified risks or implemented improvements, as these will be crucial in demonstrating your fit for the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Research The AA's values and mission to align your responses during interviews. Showing that you understand and resonate with their commitment to quality and customer service can set you apart from other candidates.
We think you need these skills to ace Supplier Assurance Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in auditing, quality assurance, or supplier management. Use specific examples that demonstrate your understanding of regulatory standards and your analytical skills.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for quality and compliance. Mention how your previous experiences align with the responsibilities of the Supplier Assurance Manager role and how you can contribute to maintaining The AA's reputation for excellence.
Highlight Key Skills: Emphasise your strong communication and interpersonal skills, as well as your ability to build effective relationships with suppliers and internal teams. These are crucial for the role and should be clearly articulated in your application.
Showcase Your Achievements: Include specific achievements related to risk assessment, compliance monitoring, or process improvements in your application. Quantifying your successes can make a strong impression on the hiring team.
How to prepare for a job interview at Automobile Association
✨Understand the Role Thoroughly
Before the interview, make sure you have a solid understanding of the Supplier Assurance Manager role. Familiarise yourself with the key responsibilities, such as conducting audits and evaluating suppliers against KPIs. This will help you answer questions confidently and demonstrate your genuine interest in the position.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect to be asked about specific situations you've encountered in your previous roles. Prepare examples that showcase your experience in auditing, risk assessment, and supplier management. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses effectively.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Given the importance of analytical skills in this role, be ready to discuss how you've used data to identify risks or improve processes in past positions. Highlight any tools or frameworks you are familiar with, especially those related to compliance and quality assurance.
✨Demonstrate Strong Communication Abilities
As a Supplier Assurance Manager, you'll need to communicate findings and recommendations clearly. Be prepared to discuss how you've built relationships with suppliers and internal teams in the past. Practice articulating your thoughts concisely to ensure you convey your points effectively during the interview.
