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- Tasks: Onboard new suppliers and improve processes for better efficiency.
- Company: Join the largest employee-owned business in the UK, John Lewis.
- Benefits: Up to £30,000 salary, hybrid working, and a supportive work environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by enhancing supplier experiences and driving efficiency.
- Qualifications: Analytical mindset, attention to detail, and strong relationship-building skills.
- Other info: Flexible working options and a focus on personal growth.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 36000 £ per year.
As a Supplier Operations Specialist in the Supplier Management profession, you will be responsible for onboarding new suppliers to John Lewis in a timely and efficient way to support trading agility to meet customer needs. Through continuous improvement, you will look for ways to improve processes, driving efficiency and improving the experience for suppliers. You will track supplier performance and ensure data is made available in relevant dashboards/reports. You will work closely with Trading Teams (Buyers, Merchandisers, Buying Offices) and be expected to communicate effectively with our Suppliers.
Expected salary: We are looking for candidates up to £30,000 (dependent on experience)
Contract type: Permanent contract.
Working pattern/flexible working: The Partnership has adopted a hybrid working approach, meaning you'll be able to work a mixture between the office and home based upon your personal needs whilst balancing the needs of the business. The team aim for around 1 to 2 days a week in the office, Wednesdays being the core day to connect and on a more ad-hoc basis to attend key meetings where needed.
Location: This role is based at our Pimlico Head Office.
Key responsibilities:
- Setting up suppliers including creating supplier contracts from templates and responding to contract questions
- Tracking supplier performance
- Reporting on supplier metrics
- Resolving supplier queries
- Deciding the priority order for supplier onboarding
- Deciding where to focus support based on workload priorities
- Ensuring standardisation and CI are employed to help create efficiency
Essential skills/experience you'll need:
- An analytical mindset, with experience of analysing data and using the facts to make recommendations
- Ability to focus on complex documents and attention to detail
- The ability to build strong relationships with a range of internal and external stakeholders, working collaboratively to benefit the customers and the business
- An understanding of the importance of supporting well informed decisions that support key business objectives
- Experience of working in an agile way, with the ability to work in a high pressured environment and prioritise workloads effectively
- Stakeholder management
- Microsoft suite skills
Desirable skills/experience you may have:
- BOXI knowledge
- Legal knowledge or experience
- Using AI to improve efficiencies
It's important to note that some of our roles are subject to pre-employment vetting (which may include DBS checks for successful candidates). If required, you'll be informed and provided with information about vetting during the recruitment process and we encourage you to complete any vetting documents quickly to avoid delays. Any DBS checks required will be carried out by a third-party registered body and financial probity checks may also be required for some of our roles. We occasionally close vacancies early in the event we receive a high volume of applications, and therefore, we recommend you apply early. If you require a reasonable adjustment due to a disability which means you may need longer to complete your application please contact us as soon as possible. We want all of our Partners to have a good work-life balance and we support flexible working. This might mean flexible or compressed hours, job sharing or shorter hour contracts, where possible. Please discuss this further with the hiring manager during your interview.
Supplier Operations Specialist employer: John Lewis & Partners
Contact Detail:
John Lewis & Partners Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Supplier Operations Specialist
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at John Lewis on LinkedIn. A friendly chat can give you insider info and maybe even a referral, which can really boost your chances.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by knowing your stuff! Research John Lewis's values and recent news. Show them you’re not just another candidate but someone who genuinely cares about their mission and culture.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Get a friend to do a mock interview with you. Focus on articulating how your skills match the role of Supplier Operations Specialist, especially your analytical mindset and stakeholder management experience.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up! After your interview, send a thank-you email to express your appreciation for the opportunity. It’s a nice touch that keeps you fresh in their minds and shows your enthusiasm for the role.
We think you need these skills to ace Supplier Operations Specialist
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Supplier Operations Specialist role. Highlight your analytical skills and experience with supplier management, as these are key to what we’re looking for.
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since you'll be working closely with suppliers and internal teams, it’s essential to demonstrate your ability to communicate effectively. Use examples in your application that showcase how you've built strong relationships in the past.
Highlight Your Problem-Solving Abilities: We love candidates who can think on their feet! Share instances where you’ve resolved complex issues or improved processes. This will show us that you can thrive in a high-pressure environment.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure it gets into the right hands and helps us keep track of all applicants efficiently.
How to prepare for a job interview at John Lewis & Partners
✨Know Your Suppliers
Before the interview, research John Lewis's supplier management practices. Understand their onboarding process and think about how you can contribute to improving efficiency. This will show your analytical mindset and readiness to support trading agility.
✨Showcase Your Data Skills
Be prepared to discuss your experience with data analysis. Bring examples of how you've used data to make recommendations or improve processes in previous roles. Highlighting your Microsoft suite skills will also be a plus!
✨Build Relationships
Think of examples where you've successfully built relationships with stakeholders. Be ready to explain how you collaborated with others to achieve common goals. This is crucial for a role that involves working closely with Trading Teams and suppliers.
✨Embrace Agility
Since the role requires working in an agile way, prepare to discuss how you've managed priorities in high-pressure environments. Share specific instances where you adapted quickly to changing circumstances while maintaining focus on key objectives.
