At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage supplier relationships and ensure delivery of contractual commitments.
- Company: Leading UK mobile infrastructure services company focused on innovation.
- Benefits: Inclusive culture, career growth opportunities, and a commitment to diversity.
- Other info: Join us in shaping the future of mobile infrastructure services.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team driving excellence and transformation in the industry.
- Qualifications: Experience in contract management and strong negotiation skills required.
The predicted salary is between 47250 - 57750 £ per year.
Our Vision: Continue to be the leading UK mobile infrastructure services company. Our Mission: To be famous for excellence in delivery, embracing transformation with our people and our customers at its heart. We are at an exciting time in our company’s development. We've come a long way since we were first formed in 2012. From the rollout of new technologies and managing complex legislation affecting the industry, we are leading the conversation on innovation and developing sharper solutions to serve our customers better. We collaborate as a team to meet the high standards expected of us and demand the best of ourselves through our values.
Role Purpose
The Supply Chain Manager owns relationships with key suppliers and oversees the governance processes that ensure contractual and service obligations are delivered consistently and in line with company strategy. The role supports the Operations team in managing supplier performance across the operational portfolio, maintaining the appropriate commercial balance between delivery outcomes and long term value while prioritising health and safety in all supplier engagements.
Scope
The Supply Chain Manager is accountable for the day-to-day management and governance of key strategic Operations supplier relationships. The role ensures contractual obligations are clearly understood, tracked, and delivered while maintaining strong supplier engagement and promoting operational excellence.
The Operations Supply Chain Manager is responsible for:
- Acting as the primary relationship owner for strategic Operations suppliers.
- Leading regular governance forums and performance reviews.
- Monitoring supplier performance against contractual obligations, KPIs, and service levels.
- Driving accountability, performance improvement, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Managing contractual issues, disputes, and performance escalations.
- Supporting contract variations, renewals, and change requests.
- Ensuring supplier compliance with Cornerstone policies, governance standards, and health and safety requirements.
- Collaborating with internal stakeholders to ensure supplier delivery aligns with operational priorities and customer requirements.
- Providing oversight of risks, issues, and opportunities associated with supplier performance.
Delivery
The Supply Chain Manager will manage supplier performance and commercial outcomes across Operations.
Key Accountabilities
- Managing strategic supplier relationships to ensure delivery of contractual commitments.
- Leading governance forums and operational review meetings.
- Monitoring supplier KPIs and driving corrective actions where performance falls below expectations.
- Reviewing and challenging supplier forecasts, valuations, invoices, and claims.
- Ensuring appropriate commercial controls are applied to operational spend.
- Supporting financial planning, forecasting, and budget management activities.
- Identifying opportunities to improve value, efficiency, and contract performance.
- Managing contractual disputes and supporting resolution activities.
- Providing commercial insight and recommendations to Operations leadership.
- Supporting procurement and supplier selection activities where required.
- Working closely with Finance and Commercial teams to ensure robust cost management and reporting.
- Ensuring supplier compliance with contractual, safety, and regulatory obligations.
- Producing regular reports on supplier performance, contractual compliance, and commercial performance.
Role Expertise
To succeed in this role, the Supply Chain Manager must combine strong commercial judgement with effective supplier and contract management skills. The postholder will have experience managing complex supplier arrangements, interpreting contractual requirements, and applying appropriate commercial challenge. They will be confident analysing costs, reviewing financial information, and ensuring supplier relationships deliver value for the business. The role requires a proactive individual who can balance operational delivery with robust commercial governance, influencing suppliers and internal stakeholders while maintaining effective working relationships.
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
Experience
- Experience in contract management and supplier governance.
- Experience managing supplier performance against contractual obligations and KPIs.
- Experience reviewing and challenging supplier cost submissions, invoices, or valuations.
- Strong commercial management experience within an operational environment.
- Experience managing stakeholder relationships across multiple functions.
- Experience identifying and delivering cost-saving or efficiency initiatives.
Skills and Knowledge
- Strong contract management expertise.
- Commercial and financial acumen.
- Cost control and budget management skills.
- Ability to analyse financial information and supplier performance data.
- Strong negotiation and influencing skills.
- Excellent stakeholder management capability.
- Strong governance and reporting skills.
- Effective dispute resolution and problem-solving skills.
- Advanced Excel and data analysis capability.
Our commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) is fundamental to our success. We strive to cultivate an inclusive environment where every employee feels valued, respected, and empowered. By embracing unique perspectives and experiences, we drive innovation and drive our organisation forward, therefore, we recognise the importance of welcoming applications from candidates of all backgrounds. We want to ensure everyone is able to present their best self throughout the recruitment process so if you require any adjustments, please let us know. If this role is of interest to you and you would like to find out more, please do apply with an up-to-date version of your CV.
Supply Chain Manager employer: Cornerstone
At Cornerstone, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a supportive work culture where compassion and community impact are at the heart of what we do. Our part-time Compassionate Care Assistants in Peterhead benefit from flexible working hours, comprehensive paid training, and ample opportunities for professional growth, all while making a meaningful difference in the lives of those we serve. Join our dedicated team and experience the rewarding nature of helping individuals lead fulfilling lives in their own homes.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Supply Chain Manager
✨Join Supply Chain Meetups
Get yourself out there by attending supply chain meetups and industry events. It's a great way to meet fellow professionals, learn about trends, and maybe even hear about job openings before they’re posted online.
✨Show Off Your Skills on LinkedIn
Don’t just sit back and wait for opportunities! Post insights or articles on LinkedIn about supply chain challenges or solutions you’re passionate about. This not only showcases your expertise but can catch the eye of recruiters looking for someone like you.
✨Engage with Supply Chain Communities
Dive into online communities related to supply chain operations like forums or groups on Reddit and LinkedIn. Engaging in discussions can help you network, get advice, and you might even stumble upon some hidden job opportunities.
✨Apply through Our Website
When you spot a position at Cornerstone, make sure to apply through our website directly. It's often the quickest way to get your application in front of the right people and show that you’re genuinely interested in the role of Supply Chain Manager.
We think you need these skills to ace Supply Chain Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Supply Chain Savvy:Make sure to highlight your relevant experience in supply chain operations. Whether it’s managing logistics or coordinating with suppliers, we want to see examples of how you've navigated the complexities of the supply chain. Concrete achievements, like reducing costs or improving delivery times, will definitely catch our eye!
Quantify Your Impact:When listing your previous roles on your CV, go for numbers! Mention percentages or actual figures where possible—like how much you've improved efficiency or reduced waste. It's all about showing us the tangible impact you've made in your past positions in supply chain operations.
Tailor Your Cover Letter:In your cover letter, don’t just regurgitate your CV. Instead, connect your experiences specifically to the role at Cornerstone. Share why you're passionate about supply chain operations and how this full-time role aligns with your career goals—I mean, who wouldn’t want to hear that!
Research and Reflect:Before you apply, take some time to research Cornerstone and its supply chain operations. Reflect on how your skills and experiences can fit into their operations. Being able to discuss their challenges and how you can contribute to solving them in your application will really make you stand out!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cornerstone
✨Know Your Basics in Supply Chain Management
Make sure you've got a solid grasp of key supply chain concepts like demand forecasting, inventory management, and logistics. We could be quizzed on these during technical rounds, so brush up on any software tools commonly used in the industry like SAP or Oracle. This knowledge will help us show we can hit the ground running!
✨Show Off Your Analytical Skills
Prepare to discuss real-world scenarios where you've used data analysis to solve supply chain challenges. If you've got experience with tools like Excel or Tableau, get ready to talk about how you've used these to optimise processes or improve efficiencies. Employers love seeing that we can turn data into actionable insights!
✨Highlight Your Teamwork and Project Management Skills
In a full-time role, collaboration is key. Think of examples where you've worked on cross-functional teams or managed projects. Sharing how you navigated challenges while working with diverse groups will show that we can thrive in a dynamic environment like at Cornerstone.
✨Research Specific Challenges Faced by Cornerstone
Look into any unique supply chain challenges Cornerstone might be facing, whether it's sustainability, supplier relationships, or global disruptions. Being prepared to discuss these topics shows that we're not only informed but also genuinely interested in how we can contribute to their success. That’s a big plus in any interview!