Subcontract Manager

Overview

In this role you will manage and strengthen strategic supplier relationships to drive performance, value, and continuous improvement. You will act as the primary interface between the organization, suppliers, and clients, coordinating engagement and resolving issues with a collaborative, stakeholder-focused approach. You will travel as needed to supplier premises and client sites, supporting governance and ethical practices. This hybrid role emphasizes relationship ownership, negotiation, and cross-functional collaboration to deliver sustainable outcomes.

Pay / Benefits

• hybrid work arrangement
• ad hoc travel to sites
• opportunity to work with senior stakeholders
• global blue-chip company exposure

Responsibilities

• Primary relationship owner for strategic suppliers
• Develop and maintain supplier relationship plans and improvement initiatives
• Facilitate regular supplier reviews with senior/executive engagement
• Support external client engagement to align suppliers and delivery teams
• Negotiate with suppliers with a value-focused, collaborative approach
• Influence supplier behavior through credible communication and relationship management
• Proactively manage emerging issues and minimize escalations
• Monitor supplier performance with metrics and drive continuous improvement
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders (projects, engineering, quality, operations, commercial)
• Identify and mitigate supplier risks in line with governance requirements

Key requirements

• Experience managing key or strategic supplier relationships
• Direct experience with external suppliers and, ideally, clients
• Track record resolving complex or sensitive issues via negotiation and influence
• Experience in procurement, supply chain, operations, or project-based environments
• Working knowledge of contracts and commercial frameworks
• MCIPS qualification preferred
• Willingness to travel and operate in a matrix/ambiguous environment

• Strong relationship management and stakeholder engagement
• Excellent verbal and written communication
• Influence, negotiation, and conflict management
• contracts and commercial frameworks
• supplier performance monitoring
• risk assessment and mitigation

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