Lead Vendor Relationship Manager

About this role:

This is an exciting opportunity for you to join Capital Ones UK Supplier Management Office (SMO). Our Supplier Management Office is responsible for the management of the end-to-end Third Party life cycle for Capital One in the UK including sourcing contracting and ongoing supplier / vendor and relationship management.

As the function continues to grow we have an opportunity in a newly created role that will encompass people leadership & direct supplier management. You will report into the Senior Manager Category Manager and manage a subset of the broader team and category.

The ideal candidate will exhibit strong judgment influencing and problem solving skills; will thrive in a fast paced collaborative environment and is passionate about leading others and delivering excellence from our suppliers and partners.

Youll be joining a growing team of Supply Chain Vendor Relationship professionals who are passionate about Supply Chain as a career and understand the value and importance of every part of the Supply Chain process.

Specifically you will operate in the Category that oversees the supplier relationships within our Operations and Marketing functions

What youll do:

Leadership of team

• Lead a small team to set the Category up for success through effective objective setting & performance management.

• Coach your team to be successful Supplier / Vendor Managers delivering on the Third Party Management Policy requirements and ultimately to deliver ongoing value for the business

• Work alongside the Category Manager to deliver on Category Strategy through effective leadership of your direct reports

Category Support:

• Directly through your own managed suppliers and indirectly through your team you will support the business area stakeholders by overseeing the holistic relationship between Capital One and the assigned third parties to ensure a stable and effective supply chain. Youll be expected to oversee manage and report on the risk performance and service delivered by your assigned supply chain

• Work closely with your internal business customers to understand issues continuous improvement suggestions new work requirements etc. This will allow you to lead / facilitate appropriate discussions with your team and your suppliers to drive the right value back into our business

Supply Chain Management

• Be the assigned Supplier / Vendor Relationship Manager for Capital Ones relationships with Payment Schemes (Mastercard and Visa) responsible for undertaking all required activities to comply with Capital Ones Third Party Management Policy at all stages of the Supplier life cycle (Due Diligence / Selection / Contracting / Onboarding / Monitoring / Offboarding).

• Manage the oversight and be the point of escalation for suppliers managed by your direct reports which will be a subset of suppliers within the Operations and Marketing categories

• Act as the primary point of contact for your suppliers and internal business stakeholders. Manage an effective governance structure to enable the appropriate level of communication and interaction between Capital One and your suppliers.

• Build wider market knowledge and insight for the category of Suppliers you and your team manages so that you can build credibility with your numerous internal and external supplier stakeholders deliver the best service for Capital One through your suppliers and help establish a longer term strategic path for the business within your category of suppliers.

• Be a proficient Contract Manager - this will include managing suppliers in accordance with contract but also liaising with legal teams to amend vary renew and add to Contractual arrangements over time (and in accordance with key internal policies and in support of relevant external regulation/guidance).

• Ensure business goals are met through strong performance risk and relationship oversight of our extended supply chain and ensuring compliance with Capital Ones Third Party Management (TPM) policy working closely with internal teams.

• Travel to various Capital One and third party sites as the role requires

What we are looking for:

• Supplier / Vendor Relationship Management Experience: We would like to see specialism in Supplier / Vendor Relationship Management with strong commercial risk management analytical problem resolution skills (Desirable)

• Leadership: Experience in leading a team setting performance goals and developing team members (Desirable)

• Excellent and demonstrable communication relationship building and stakeholder management skills. (Essential)

• Previous experience of Risk Management as a core component of your role. We operate in a highly regulated industry so having an eye for detail and ensuring full compliance with all Corporate and Business Unit level policies and procedures is a must. (Desirable)

• Contracting experience. This role requires the role holder to work closely with COEP Legal to deliver Framework Agreements as well as core MSAs & SOWs across your supplier base (Desirable)

• Ability to build strong internal and external relationships (Essential)

• Capital One operates in a truly collaborative environment as such we need a real team player who will focus on team and individual goals - but also the wider success of the SMO function and Capital One UK business. (Essential)

• We are looking for someone with enthusiasm and passion for People Leadership and Vendor Relationship Management. Someone who has and is prepared to continue to develop fully rounded specialisms and skills. (Essential)

Where and how youll work

This is a permanent position and is based in our Nottingham office.

We have a hybrid working model which gives you flexibility to work from our offices and from home.

Were big on collaboration and connection so youll be based in our Nottingham office 3 days a week on Tuesdays Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Many of our associates have flexible working arrangements and were open to talking about an arrangement that works for you.

Whats in it for you

• Bring us all this - and youll be well rewarded with a role contributing to the roadmap of an organisation committed to transformation

• We offer high performers strong and diverse career progression investing heavily in developing great people through our Capital One University training programmes (and appropriate external providers)

• Immediate access to our core benefits including pension scheme bonus generous holiday entitlement and private medical insurance with flexible benefits available including season-ticket loans cycle to work scheme and enhanced parental leave

• Open-plan workspaces and accessible facilities designed to inspire and support you. Our Nottingham head-office has a fully-serviced gym subsidised restaurant mindfulness and music rooms. In London you can heighten your mood with a run on our rooftop running track or an espresso at the Workshop Coffee caf

What you should know about how we recruit

We pride ourselves on hiring the best people not the same people. Building diverse and inclusive teams is the right thing to do and the smart thing to do. We want to work with top talent: whoever you are whatever you look like wherever you come from. We know its about what you do not just what you say. Thats why we make our recruitment process fair and accessible. And we offer benefits that attract people at all ages and stages.

We also partner with organisations including the Women in Finance and Race At Work Charters Stonewall and upReach to find people from every walk of life and help them thrive with us. We have a whole host of internal networks and support groups you could be involved in to name a few:

• REACH Race Equality and Culture Heritage group focuses on representation retention and engagement for associates from minority ethnic groups and allies

• OutFront to provide LGBTQ support for all associates

• Mind Your Mind signposting support and promoting positive mental wellbeing for all

• Women in Tech promoting an inclusive environment in tech

• EmpowHER - network of female associates and allies focusing on developing future leaders particularly for female talent in our industry

If you require a reasonable adjustment please contact All information will be kept confidential and will only be used for the purpose of applying a reasonable adjustment.