Description:
Role Purpose: The S&L Vendor Manager will lead Supply & Logistics in establishing and maintaining outstanding strategic and operational relationships with our vendor base. Setting vendor strategy, developing and scaling the vendor program, driving performance and excellence in OTIF / delivery compliance, as well as building overall B&Q and vendor capability. Leads the Supply Chain sustainability strategy in partnership with key vendors. Supporting the delivery of Key KPI’s, providing analytics and best-practices.
Key Responsibilities
Key Accountabilities / Responsibilities:
- Strategic Thinker: Develops, owns and supports the vendor management long term plan and strategy for Supply & Logistics. Performed in conjunction with the S&L leadership teams to evolve strategic vendor relationships to support the overall Supply & Logistics strategy.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration: Works closely with various departments, including supply chain, logistics, IT, commercial and sustainability teams, to ensure seamless vendor integration and alignment with company goals.
- Data-Driven Decision Making: Leverages data analytics to inform decision-making and identify actionable insights, including sustainability performance.
- Drives Performance: Provides training, analysis and insights to the S&L teams. Understands OTIF failure root causes & works across S&L teams to educate, guide, drive excellence and performance improvement.
- Evolves S&L Vendor Program: Develops and scales the S&L vendor program, incorporating where appropriate external best practice, so all category teams consistently and strategically develop their vendor base.
- Process Guidance & Evolution: Manages & develops vendor compensation, delivery compliance processes and tools.
- Provides Clarity: Owner of the vendor manual from an S&L perspective, works with other functions & group to develop and manage compliance
- Figurehead for Supply Chain Vendor Management:
- Leader of cross-vendor comms from S&L perspective
- Establishes, trains and coaches the S&L population in best practice vendor management.
- The key point of contact and reference with respect to all analysts and wider team with respect to vendor management.
- Curious Innovator: Drive continuous improvement initiatives, exploring internal and external optimisation opportunities to enhance vendor performance and sustainability. Looks at external best practice and insight to continually evolve the function
- Sustainability Advocate: Promote the development and application of sustainable practices within Supply and the vendor network, including the relevant regulatory compliance, environmental impact reduction, and ethical sourcing
Required Skills & Experience
Required Skills & Experience:
- Able to analyse complex data efficiently and effectively
- Able to forward plan and balance day to day operations within the team
- Ability to strategically plan and evolve process, analytics and ways of working
- A good understanding of associated Key Performance Indicators s e.g. availability, stock and inventory days
- Can monitor purchases and intake of stock to the business to maximise availability and control stock levels
- Commercially and customer focused with ability to optimise vendor relationships.
- Experience of leading and managing a team
- In-depth experience working in Supply Chain or logistics, preferably in a retail or manufacturing environment
- Proven analytical skills
- Good communication and inter-personal skills
- High level of influencing skills
- Able to build cross functional internal relationships