Head of Contract Management and Supplier Relationship Management in Solihull

Solihull Full-Time On-site

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Company Overview

Xoserve is the UK gas industry’s Central Data Services Provider, playing a critical role in supporting the safe, efficient and reliable operation of Britain’s gas market. It provides a single, trusted source of industry data and services for gas suppliers, shippers and transporters, ensuring information is accurate, secure, and consistently shared across the sector. By managing the central gas register and providing insight on gas flows across the network, Xoserve helps the industry balance supply and demand and supports effective market processes that benefit consumers. As the energy system transitions, Xoserve is committed to enabling affordable, accessible decarbonisation by supporting the integration of green gas and biomethane into the UK’s energy mix. Xoserve is an equal employment opportunity employer, and we are building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace for everyone.

Role Summary

The Head of Contract Management and Supplier Relationship Management is responsible for leading and maturing Xoserve’s contract and supplier management capability, ensuring the effective oversight of strategic suppliers while safeguarding the continuity and quality of critical services. The role provides leadership across the full contract lifecycle, establishing robust governance, controls and performance management frameworks that enable value delivery, risk management and compliance across the supplier landscape.

As Xoserve evolves towards a multi-supplier operating model, this role will play a key part in shaping and implementing the future approach to supplier management. Working closely with senior stakeholders, the role will oversee key strategic relationships, including critical transition and exit activities, while building a high-performing team capable of driving supplier performance, resilience and long-term partnership value.

Responsibilities

Set and maintain Xoserve’s Contract Management and Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) framework, including supplier segmentation, governance cadences, minimum control requirements, escalation routes and reporting standards, ensuring appropriate contract control and governance coverage across critical supplier contracts.
Allocate contracts and suppliers across the team based on value, criticality, risk and workload, ensuring resources are deployed effectively and proportionately within a small organisation.
Ensure all contracts are effectively mobilised, actively managed and controlled throughout their lifecycle, including obligations management, supplier performance, action tracking and closure, financial oversight, change control, renewals and exit activities.
Oversee the management of key third-party relationships and associated transition programmes, ensuring business continuity is protected and operational services are maintained throughout.
Lead organisational readiness for the future multi-supplier operating model, including the management of inter-supplier dependencies, implementation of new Master Services Agreements (MSAs), effective handover processes from Procurement into Contract Management, and maintaining appropriate renewal and exit readiness across key supplier arrangements.
Ensure SRM activity is focused on maximising strategic relationship value, supplier resilience and executive engagement, while avoiding duplication of day-to-day contract administration activities.
Lead the development of contract management and SRM capability across the team, driving quality assurance, consistency of approach and continuous improvement.
Act as the senior escalation point for material supplier, contractual and transition-related risks, ensuring risks are proactively identified, assessed, mitigated, monitored and escalated where appropriate.

Specialist/Technical Expertise

Essential

Significant experience in a senior Contract Management, Supplier Relationship Management, Commercial Management or related leadership role.
Proven track record of managing complex contracts and strategic supplier relationships, including suppliers delivering critical business services.
Strong knowledge of contract management disciplines, including contract mobilisation, obligations management, performance management, change control, renewals and exit planning.
Strong understanding of Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) principles, including supplier segmentation, governance, relationship development and executive stakeholder engagement.
Experience establishing and embedding contract management and supplier governance frameworks, controls, reporting and assurance processes.
Strong commercial acumen, with the ability to identify, assess and manage contractual, operational and supplier risks.
Experience balancing business-as-usual service delivery requirements with supplier transitions, transformation programmes or major change initiatives.
Knowledge of outsourced service delivery models and the challenges associated with managing multiple suppliers and inter-supplier dependencies.
Strong negotiation, influencing and stakeholder management skills, with the confidence to constructively challenge suppliers and senior stakeholders to achieve the right outcomes.
Ability to interpret contractual provisions and apply sound commercial judgement to support decision-making and risk management.
Experience leading, developing and coaching teams, building capability and driving high standards of performance and accountability.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to translate supplier performance, contractual and risk information into clear insights and actions.

Desirable

Professional qualification in Contract Management, Commercial Management or Procurement.
Experience supporting the implementation of a multi-supplier operating model or significant supplier transition programme.

What we offer:

A competitive annual salary, reflective of your skills and experience
Discretionary individual performance bonus linked to your overall contribution
Generous pension scheme to support your long-term financial wellbeing - up to 12% employer contribution
Life insurance providing peace of mind for you and your family
36 days annual leave (including Bank Holidays) to rest and recharge
Income protection to support you should illness or injury prevent you from working
Enhanced annual leave options, including the ability to purchase additional holiday each year
Enhanced family friendly policies
Access to Private Medical Insurance for you and your family (Bupa)
Health cashback plan for you and up to four dependent children (Medicash)
24/7 virtual GP, plus remote Physiotherapy, Mental Health Support, and Medical Second Opinion (Help@Hand)
Electric Vehicle Salary Sacrifice Scheme (Octopus EV)
Free, confidential Employee Assistance Programme (LifeWorks)
Commitment to ongoing learning and development opportunities
Financial support for one annual professional membership subscription
A wide range of wellbeing initiatives
Discounts on high street retailers, supermarkets, cinema tickets, holidays, and more
Paid volunteering hours to support our local communities
Opportunity to take part in our twice yearly employee events, social activities, and ongoing engagement initiatives

This is a hybrid role based in our Solihull office, with a minimum of two days per week working onsite.

Please note that we are unable to offer Skilled Worker Sponsorship. Candidates must ensure they have the appropriate right to work in the UK before applying.

The closing date for applications is 16^th October 2026. We encourage candidates to submit their applications as early as possible and not to wait until the published closing date. Xoserve’s recruitment periods can and may vary. We reserve the right to remove this advert or close it to further applications at any point during the recruitment process.

The Energy Industry is about to reform and change at pace, and it needs people like you to come and be part of its new design. If you are interested and consider you have the skills and experience we are looking for, please apply through our Job Board