Supplier Relationship Lead

Job Title: Supplier Relationship Lead Function: Commercial Location: Hybrid arrangement with presence required for 2 days office type: PermSalary: 65920 with the potential to rise to 77553 over 3 years Closing Date: 5th August 2026An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Supplier Relationship Lead to deliver exceptional value to the NHS through strategic partnerships innovation and operational excellence. We are looking for an experienced and commercially minded leader to take ownership of our Strategic Relationship Management (SRM) programme driving collaboration with our most critical suppliers and helping to maximise value across the healthcare supply chainIn this high-impact role you will lead our Formal SRM programme and supplier management activity overseeing the strategic relationships that most directly support our commercial objectives across multiple category areas. You will be responsible for developing and continuously enhancing our SRM operating model processes and toolkits ensuring a consistent and effective approach that protects the value delivered through category strategies while identifying opportunities to unlock additional commercial operational and strategic benefits throughout the full contract is an exciting opportunity to influence key business outcomes strengthen supplier performance and contribute to the delivery of world-class procurement and supply chain services that support the NHS and improve patient care across the day you will Lead and develop the Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) function creating a clear vision aligned to organisational goals while driving capability development succession planning and a high-performing team supplier value and continuous improvement identifying and delivering value-release opportunities in partnership with stakeholders to maximise commercial and operational outcomes across the supply strategic supplier relationships acting as the subject matter expert on supplier capabilities value propositions and market positioning while supporting the delivery of category strategies through effective supplier and enhance the Formal SRM programme embedding best-practice relationship management frameworks tools and training to ensure consistent adoption and continuous improvement across the trusted internal and external partnerships collaborating across functions category teams and supplier organisations to strengthen stakeholder relationships raise the profile of SRM and position NHS Supply Chain as the preferred route to market for strategic suppliersWhat can we offer youWe want to reward you for your passion enthusiasm and hard work so we offer much more than a competitive salary:Hybrid working opportunities giving you the flexibility to work collaboratively in the office and recognise our employees hard work and contributions with annual bonus schemes long service and colleagues recognition awards.27 days holiday plus bank holidays with the option to purchase an additional 5 are dedicated to your development through in-house training support and access to external qualifications to maximise your potential.A focus on your well-being offering 1 day of paid well-being leave and free access to the 24/7 Employee Assistance pension scheme (with us contributing 12% when you contribute 6%)Access to our Flexible Benefits Scheme where you can choose from a variety of benefits such as Life Insurance Critical Illness Cover Income Protection Health Cash Plan Dental Insurance and additional pension contributions that suit you.2 days of paid volunteering leave allowing you to give back to your to many discounts from the Blue Light Card to NHS Supply Chain who are weOur role is to support the NHS to save lives and improve health. We are a part of the NHS family and our role is to source deliver and supply healthcare products services and food for NHS trusts and healthcare organisations across England and Wales. We serve every NHS Trust and operate a national network of distribution centres managing relationships with more than a thousand suppliers and delivering more thanorders each year to more than 17000 all of this on behalf of the NHS gives NHS staff more time to focus on their main priority of providing excellent patient skills will help you thrive in this roleExtensive experience managing strategic supplier relationships across global manufacturers and distributors collaborating with senior stakeholders and cross-functional teams to deliver commercial objectives and sustainable business commercial and financial acumen with a proven track record of leading complex negotiations delivering significant cost savings and applying robust procurement methodologies cost modelling techniques and best-practice sourcing ability to develop and enhance Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) frameworks leveraging supplier segmentation strategies to maximise value creation innovation performance and risk management throughout the contract success in delivering value-based procurement initiatives across complex projects identifying and implementing multiple value levers while balancing diverse stakeholder priorities and organisational in Microsoft Excel Word and PowerPoint with the capability to analyse procurement data develop insightful reporting create professional documentation and deliver impactful presentations to senior Inclusive CommitmentAt NHS Supply Chain we are committed to building an inclusive environment where difference is not only valued but celebrated giving everyone the opportunity to thrive in their career. Developing our people is key to our success so if this role sounds like the right next step in your career but your experience doesnt match perfectly with the job advert we encourage you to still to complete our application form and require additional support Reach out to our Talent Acquisition team will be happy to help you with alternative ways to keep our recruitment process efficient we may close the advert early if application numbers are high. If youre interested we recommend applying promptly.