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- Tasks: Lead vendor management and enhance supply chain performance through strategic relationships.
- Company: B&Q is dedicated to helping customers create their ideal homes with a focus on sustainability.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, 6.6 weeks holiday, an award-winning pension, and various wellness perks.
- Why this job: Join a diverse team committed to innovation and sustainability while making a real impact.
- Qualifications: Experience in supply chain or logistics, strong analytical skills, and team leadership required.
- Other info: We prioritise diversity and inclusion, ensuring everyone feels valued and supported.
The predicted salary is between 52000 - 65000 £ per year.
About the role
Permanent
£65,000 - £75,000 + Pension + BUPA + ShareSave + 6.6 weeks holiday + Hybrid Working (2 days per week in the office)
Southampton, Store Support Office
We believe anyone can improve their home to make life better. From our Southampton Store Support office (SSO) we equip our stores, our people, and our whole business with everything it takes to help our millions of customers create a home they'll love. Join us as a Supply & Logistics Vendor Manager and you'll be a big part of this.
Role Purpose:
The S&L Vendor Manager will lead Supply & Logistics in establishing and maintaining outstanding strategic and operational relationships with our vendor base. Setting vendor strategy, developing and scaling the vendor program, driving performance and excellence in OTIF / delivery compliance, as well as building overall B&Q and vendor capability. Leads the Supply Chain sustainability strategy in partnership with key vendors. Supporting the delivery of Key KPI's, providing analytics and best-practices.
Key responsibilities
- Strategic Thinker: Develops, owns and supports the vendor management long term plan and strategy for Supply & Logistics. Performed in conjunction with the S&L leadership teams to evolve strategic vendor relationships to support the overall Supply & Logistics strategy.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Works closely with various departments, including supply chain, logistics, IT, commercial and sustainability teams, to ensure seamless vendor integration and alignment with company goals.
- Data-Driven Decision Making: Leverages data analytics to inform decision-making and identify actionable insights, including sustainability performance.
- Drives Performance: Provides training, analysis and insights to the S&L teams. Understands OTIF failure root causes & works across S&L teams to educate, guide, drive excellence and performance improvement.
- Evolves S&L Vendor Program: Develops and scales the S&L vendor program, incorporating where appropriate external best practice, so all category teams consistently and strategically develop their vendor base.
- Process Guidance & Evolution: Manages & develops vendor compensation, delivery compliance processes and tools.
- Provides Clarity: Owner of the vendor manual from an S&L perspective, works with other functions & group to develop and manage compliance.
- Figurehead for Supply Chain Vendor Management: Leader of cross-vendor comms from S&L perspective. Establishes, trains and coaches the S&L population in best practice vendor management. The key point of contact and reference with respect to all analysts and wider team with respect to vendor management.
- Curious Innovator: Drive continuous improvement initiatives, exploring internal and external optimisation opportunities to enhance vendor performance and sustainability. Looks at external best practice and insight to continually evolve the function.
- Sustainability Advocate: Promote the development and application of sustainable practices within Supply and the vendor network, including the relevant regulatory compliance, environmental impact reduction, and ethical sourcing.
Required skills & experience
- Able to analyse complex data efficiently and effectively.
- Able to forward plan and balance day to day operations within the team.
- Ability to strategically plan and evolve process, analytics and ways of working.
- A good understanding of associated Key Performance Indicators e.g. availability, stock and inventory days.
- Can monitor purchases and intake of stock to the business to maximise availability and control stock levels.
- Commercially and customer focused with ability to optimise vendor relationships.
- Experience of leading and managing a team.
- In-depth experience working in Supply Chain or logistics, preferably in a retail or manufacturing environment.
- Proven analytical skills.
- Good communication and inter-personal skills.
- High level of influencing skills.
- Able to build cross functional internal relationships.
What's in it for me?
As part of a great team, you'll be valued for who you are. We're committed to making B&Q more diverse and representative of the communities we serve, where everyone can feel they belong and have equal opportunities. You will have access to a range of networks that represent our colleagues and allies and help us to continue to put diversity and inclusion at the heart of our business. We also recognise that wellness means different things to different people, and we want to help colleagues be at their best and feel well by offering a range of benefits to help you. As well as a competitive salary, our benefits package includes an award-winning pension scheme, bonus, ShareSave options, 6.6 weeks holiday, payroll giving, an Employee Assistance Programme, shopping discounts, colleague wellbeing benefits and lots more!
So we can support you during the application or interview process, please contact for any recruitment adjustments.
S&L Vendor Manager employer: B&Q
Contact Detail:
B&Q Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land S&L Vendor Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest trends in supply chain management and vendor relations. Understanding current best practices will not only help you in interviews but also demonstrate your commitment to continuous improvement, which is crucial for the S&L Vendor Manager role.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the supply chain and logistics field. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to connect with others who can provide insights into the role and potentially refer you to opportunities at StudySmarter.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've used data analytics to drive performance improvements in previous roles. Being able to articulate your experience with KPIs and vendor management will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your ability to collaborate across departments by preparing examples of successful cross-functional projects you've led or participated in. This will highlight your teamwork skills, which are essential for the S&L Vendor Manager position.
We think you need these skills to ace S&L Vendor Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in supply chain and vendor management. Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to analyse complex data, manage teams, and drive performance improvements.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for supply chain sustainability and how your skills align with the company's goals. Mention your experience in developing vendor strategies and your ability to collaborate cross-functionally.
Highlight Key Skills: Emphasise your analytical skills, communication abilities, and experience in managing vendor relationships. Make sure to mention any relevant KPIs you have worked with, such as availability and stock levels.
Showcase Continuous Improvement Initiatives: Provide examples of how you've driven continuous improvement in previous roles. Discuss any innovative solutions you've implemented that enhanced vendor performance or sustainability practices.
How to prepare for a job interview at B&Q
✨Showcase Your Strategic Thinking
As a Supply & Logistics Vendor Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to develop and implement long-term vendor strategies. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed vendor relationships in the past and how you plan to evolve these strategies to align with company goals.
✨Highlight Cross-Functional Collaboration
This role requires working closely with various departments. Be ready to discuss your experience in collaborating with teams such as supply chain, logistics, and IT. Share specific instances where your collaboration led to successful outcomes or improved vendor integration.
✨Emphasise Data-Driven Decision Making
The ability to analyse complex data is crucial for this position. Prepare to talk about how you've used data analytics to inform decisions in previous roles. Bring examples of how your insights have driven performance improvements or enhanced vendor relationships.
✨Demonstrate Your Sustainability Advocacy
Sustainability is a key focus for this role. Be prepared to discuss your understanding of sustainable practices within supply chains and how you've implemented them in past positions. Highlight any initiatives you've led that contributed to environmental impact reduction or ethical sourcing.
