At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and evolve a global network of suppliers to enhance customer experiences.
- Company: Join Macs Adventure, a scaling adventure tour operator with a mission for active travel.
- Benefits: Enjoy 33 days annual leave, flexible working, and great discounts on trips.
- Other info: Be part of an inclusive culture that values diversity and personal growth.
- Why this job: Shape the future of travel while building impactful partnerships and driving performance.
- Qualifications: Experience in supplier management and strong relationship-building skills required.
The predicted salary is between 85000 - 85000 £ per year.
Behind every unforgettable Macs Adventure is an incredible network of local partners making the magic happen — and we’re looking for a commercially savvy relationship-builder to bring that ecosystem into the future. As our Head of Supplier Partnerships & Contracting, you’ll lead and evolve a global network of 4,000+ suppliers, building trusted partnerships that enhance customer experiences, strengthen commercial performance, and create long-term competitive advantage.
Reporting to the Travel Product Director, you’ll shape supplier strategy, secure critical supply, and lead smart commercial negotiations that support growth across our travel portfolio. This is a high-impact leadership role with the opportunity to influence how Macs Adventure scales for the future. You’ll sit at the intersection of commercial strategy, product growth, operational excellence, and partnership development — ensuring Macs Adventure is not just a customer, but a true partner of choice.
If you thrive on building relationships, spotting opportunities, driving performance, and turning complexity into scalable success, this could be your next adventure!
About Macs Adventure: We’re a scaling adventure tour operator on a mission to be the leading global brand in self-guided, active travel. Welcoming over 40,000 customers on walking and cycling trips to destinations around the world, we employ over 150 people across the UK, US and Germany who share our purpose to create #macsmoments by leading, advocating & enabling self-guided, active travel as a positive force for people and planet. In November 2024, we proudly achieved B Corp certification, marking a significant milestone in our journey toward sustainable, values-driven growth.
Our Culture: We’re an ambitious, forward-thinking business with a bold vision for the future, and our culture reflects these ambitions. We’re an action-oriented, fast-paced organisation and we like to have fun along the way. We’re looking for people who can grow with Macs and grow with us on our journey to become the world’s leading active travel company. It’s not the easy route and we’re looking for people who enjoy challenges, love learning, want to make an impact and align with our core values.
- Love the journey: A Macs trip is all about the journey, not the destination. We are all believers in Macs’ unique brand of self-guided, active travel and shout about it. As more travellers convert to the Macs Way, we accept our business will grow and change. We welcome new connections, and embrace new opportunities.
- Take a different path: We’re not different for difference’s sake; but we won’t succeed if we’re just the same as everyone else. We devise creative solutions to problems, find new ways of doing things, and trust colleagues who are doing so too. We are brave and feel empowered to take the initiative.
- Tread thoughtfully: We are considerate, empathetic and try to put ourselves in our customers’, suppliers’ and each other’s shoes. We support local, and find ways of having less negative impact on the planet. We find ways of having positive impact on people and communities. We are fair, and we do the right thing.
- Go the extra mile: We know that creating a perfect #MacsMoment involves going that bit further. We imagine the best feedback we can get and set out to earn it. We take ownership and accountability – it’s yours, not someone else’s, problem. We step up and help our teammates when they need us.
What you’ll do:
- Shape and lead our global supplier strategy, building a balanced, high-performing network of partners that supports growth, quality, and operational resilience.
- Lead commercial negotiations and contracting, driving margin improvement while building strong, long-term supplier relationships.
- Develop strategic partnerships that unlock differentiated customer experiences, innovation, and preferential access to supply.
- Create and embed supplier performance frameworks, ensuring consistently high standards across quality, delivery, and customer experience.
- Build scalable supplier onboarding, contracting, and management processes that support future growth.
- Partner cross-functionally with Product, Merchandising, Operations, Finance, and Technology to align supplier capability with business priorities.
- Improve supplier data, systems, and reporting to drive smarter commercial decision-making.
- Lead and grow a high-performing supplier partnerships team, embedding a commercially focused, partnership-first culture.
- Manage supplier risk, compliance, and resilience to support sustainable, reliable operations.
- Act as a key driver of transformation, helping build a world-class supplier partnership function from the ground up.
What you’ll bring:
- Significant background in supplier management, sourcing, contracting, or partnerships.
- Success at long-term relationship building across large supplier base of small independent suppliers.
- Proven track record of delivering cost optimisation and commercial performance.
- Experience designing and implementing supplier management frameworks.
- Strong commercial and financial acumen (cost, margin, negotiation).
- Expertise operating in cross-functional environments (Product, Ops, Finance, Tech).
- Track record of building or scaling teams and capabilities.
- Experience leading change or transformation initiatives.
What would be a bonus if you have experience in:
- Tour operations, or experience-led products.
- Scale-up or high-growth environments.
- Technology or systems transformation.
- Building supplier ecosystems across multiple geographies.
Some candidates may see this list and feel discouraged because they don’t match all the requirements. If this is your ideal job please apply anyway, there’s a good chance you’re more wonderful than you think you are.
You could belong here: To deliver adventures for more than 40,000 customers we need to build a company that’s reflective of their diversity. We’re building an inclusive workplace that promotes and values difference, where everyone, from any background, can do their best work and be proud to belong.
What we’ll offer:
- Annual leave: 33 days (35 after 5 years), plus 8 public holidays.
- Birthday booster: an extra day off on your birthday.
- Pension: contributory pension scheme.
- Discounts: great discounts on Macs Adventure trips.
- Travel insurance: annual worldwide travel insurance for you and your spouse/partner/children.
- Flexible working: work from home as well as coming into our hub office in Glasgow 3 days per week.
- Getting together: regular team, management and leadership meetings and retreats.
- Culture: innovative, fast-growth, international and solution-focused culture, where we work hard to embed our values across the business.
- L&D: support your self-guided learning journey to make the most of your strengths.
- Wellbeing: we’ll support you in looking after your health and wellbeing so you can do your best work.
- Travel: occasional international travel may be required.
- Impact: opportunity to make a difference in people’s lives and the planet.
Head of Supplier Partnerships and Contracting - UK in Glasgow employer: Macs Adventure
At Macs Adventure, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a vibrant and inclusive work culture in the heart of Glasgow. With a commitment to employee growth, we offer extensive learning opportunities, flexible working arrangements, and a generous benefits package including 33 days of annual leave and travel discounts. Join us in shaping the future of active travel while making a positive impact on people and the planet.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Supplier Partnerships and Contracting - UK in Glasgow
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the industry. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential contacts on LinkedIn. You never know who might help you land that dream job!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company inside out. Understand their values, culture, and recent news. This will not only impress your interviewers but also help you tailor your answers to show how you align with their mission.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or use online platforms. This will help you get comfortable with common questions and refine your pitch, making you more confident when it’s time to shine.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A simple thank-you email can go a long way in keeping you top of mind. Plus, it shows your enthusiasm for the role and appreciation for the opportunity.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Supplier Partnerships and Contracting - UK in Glasgow
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the Head of Supplier Partnerships role. Highlight your experience in supplier management and relationship building, as these are key to what we’re looking for at Macs Adventure.
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; share specific examples of how you’ve driven commercial performance or improved supplier relationships in the past. We love seeing tangible results!
Be Authentic:Let your personality shine through in your application. We value authenticity and want to know what makes you tick. Share your passion for travel and how it aligns with our mission at Macs Adventure.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and shows us you’re serious about joining our adventure!
How to prepare for a job interview at Macs Adventure
✨Know Your Suppliers
Before the interview, dive deep into understanding the suppliers that Macs Adventure works with. Familiarise yourself with their strengths, weaknesses, and how they contribute to the overall customer experience. This knowledge will not only impress your interviewers but also show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare to discuss specific examples of successful negotiations you've led in the past. Highlight how you improved margins or built long-term relationships. This is crucial for a role focused on commercial negotiations, so be ready to demonstrate your expertise in this area.
✨Emphasise Cross-Functional Collaboration
Since this role involves partnering with various departments, come prepared with examples of how you've successfully collaborated across teams in previous positions. Discuss how you aligned supplier capabilities with business priorities, as this will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Align with Macs Adventure Values
Familiarise yourself with the core values of Macs Adventure and think about how your personal values align with theirs. Be ready to share examples of how you've embodied similar principles in your work, especially around sustainability and creating positive impacts, as these are key to their mission.
