Supplier Relationship Manager

Description:

Cambridgeshire Constabulary, as part of 7Force Commercial Services, is seeking a highly skilled Supplier Relationship Manager to oversee strategic supplier engagement across the seven police forces in the East of England: Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, Essex, Hertfordshire, Kent, Norfolk, and Suffolk. Managing a third-party spend of approximately £250 million annually, this collaboration is the second largest police procurement collective after the Metropolitan Police, with significant opportunities for market shaping, economies of scale, and broader socio-economic benefits.

The Supplier Relationship Manager will develop and manage commercial relationships with a portfolio of strategic suppliers to ensure value for money and high-performance delivery. You will lead and support complex commercial negotiations, address contractual disputes, enforce performance standards, promote innovation, and secure long-term value for the forces involved.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and manage strategic supplier relationships to maximize value and innovation.

• Lead commercial negotiations and resolve contractual disputes where necessary.

• Ensure compliance with procurement regulations and enforce sanctions for poor supplier performance.

• Provide commercial insights to support organizational decision-making across the 7 Forces.

• Influence stakeholders at various seniority levels and ensure alignment on procurement goals.

• Drive change and develop integrated contract management functions across the region.

• Travel across the UK as required for supplier and force engagements.

Required Skills & Competencies:

• Strong analytical, organizational, and project management skills.

• Ability to align procurement solutions with evolving market and force requirements.

• Excellent negotiation, influencing, and interpersonal skills.

• Strong commercial acumen and ability to see the bigger picture in market and category developments.

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.

Why Join 7Force Commercial Services?

• Opportunity to work on one of the largest regional police procurement collaborations in the UK.

• Competitive salary package with a market rate supplement.

• Flexible base location across multiple forces.

• High-impact role with direct influence on cost savings, operational efficiency, and community services.

Commitment:

Full-time, permanent position with a requirement for travel across the seven forces.