Supplier Account Manager

Supplier Account Manager Location: Hook Salary: £38,000 Hours: Monday to Friday, 8am-5:30pm My client who are a market leading manufacturer are seeking a Supplier Account Manager to join their team. The purpose of this role is to establish strong working relationships with key suppliers in order to manage their performance across Quality, Cost, and Delivery (QCD) for all relevant products and services. Key Responsibilities Develop and maintain strong supplier relationships to improve on-time delivery, reduce lead times, and minimise quality issues. Identify, evaluate, and onboard new suppliers while streamlining the supply base strategically. Understand suppliers\’ manufacturing processes to drive process improvements aligned with QCD. Support the development and implementation of purchasing strategies, including call-off orders, pricing breaks, and supplier stock holding. Coordinate with departments to manage non-conforming materials and returns documentation. Initiate and close out corrective actions with suppliers. Maintain awareness of commodity trends that could impact supply. Conduct supplier audits and monthly reviews; manage vendor scorecards. Identify supplier risks and propose appropriate mitigation strategies. Evaluate RFQs and select suppliers based on QCD criteria. Work closely with department managers to maintain the production plan, ensuring on-time delivery. Manage stock levels in line with MRP, customer forecasts, and production requirements. Lead cross-functional change initiatives and mitigate commercial risks. Prepare and evaluate RFQs, making sourcing decisions aligned with QCD. Raise and manage purchase orders; handle free-issue materials and expediting. Oversee procurement of indirect goods/services (e.g. tooling, bulk materials). Keep ERP data (lead times, item master) accurate and up to date. Collaborate with Planning, Inventory, and Production teams to resolve material availability issues and support production execution. Knowledge, Qualifications & Experience Strong negotiation skills and ability to manage supplier performance. Solid understanding of procurement practices in low-volume, high-variance manufacturing. SAP experience is advantageous but not essential. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Proficient in Microsoft Office, especially Excel. Strong commercial relationship management skills. Familiar with procurement best practices and continuous improvement principles. Behavioural Qualities Self-aware and emotionally intelligent. Demonstrates honesty, integrity, and moral courage. Engages with colleagues in a fair and unbiased manner. Embraces change and continuous improvement. Resilient, optimistic, and pragmatic in approach. Confident, assertive, and composed under pressure. Collaborates with others in a mature, constructive manner