Carrier Relations Manager Neos Networks offers alternative working arrangements that give employees some flexibility, including office, home and hybrid working. Base location : Reading office 2/3 days per week Salary : to £65k dep on experience performance related bonus a range of other benefits to support your family, finances, and wellbeing Working Pattern: Permanent Full time with the option of hybrid working What is the Role? Reporting to the Senior Carrier Relations Manager the Carrier Relations Manager is a highly visible role which will develop and drive the strategy for telecommunications spend across Neos. Coverage will include feeding into the development of the Procurement and category strategy for areas of spend, such as Carrier, Dark Fibre, third party fibre leases and IRUs This role will join a developing function and as an experienced member of the Commercial team, this individual will be expected to provide into and support strategic decision making. The role entails working as part of the Commercial Team to support the evolution of the procurement strategy and transformation roadmap and ensuring this is this reflected across all the specific categories of spend within this remit: Acting as a business partner to stakeholders in the Network and Operations teams, their Directors and heads of department in these categories, understanding business strategy and providing creative challenge and thought leadership which influences and supports business decision making. Supporting the sales teams on any customer driven demand to help contribute towards revenue growth. Working up stream to anticipate challenges, ensuring those departments are equipped with the right strategies to deliver the best possible commercial outcomes, ensuring clarity around areas such as risks, routes to market, resource commitments, supply market dynamics, competitive strategies and delivery plans. Developing and maintaining a clear and current category plan for all telco specific spend Supporting the Accounts Payable, Finance and operations functions with invoice and inventory validation from suppliers. Own contract and cost management to ensure overall commercial compliance. Using internal and external technology category data, relationships and insight to formulate a clear point of view on business investment decisions (e.g. supply market reviews, business case assessments etc.), stimulate creative conversations and encourage innovative thinking within the business. Leading on behalf of Neos in high-value, complex commercial and contractual negotiations, working with stakeholders, Finance and Legal to close negotiations with contracts which fully protect Neos`s commercial and operational risks and interests. Leading category Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) activity to ensure strategic supplier management is considered in all purchase decisions, addressing in life challenges with incumbent suppliers and ultimately delivering competitive advantage to Neos through these relationships. Ensuring compliance with corporate product, procedural, regulatory, quality, environmental and corporate social responsibility policies. What do I need Extensive experience in telecommunications with an understanding of common pricing models. Deep understanding of Procurement basics - contract law, category management, negotiation, market dynamics, commercial strategy, strategic sourcing. Ability to translate business needs into legal and commercial requirements based on customer centric business partnering. Liaising with senior stakeholders Leadership experience of developing complex, category, budget and supplier strategies. Excellent leadership skills, either directly or cross functionally and able to coach and support teams and team members alike. Exceptional engagement and relationship building abilities. Naturally accessible. Ability to communicate complex challenges in simple terms. Strategically minded and creative, able to translate a vision into clear methodical plans. Excellent problem solving and ability and knowledge to design, recommend and implement “best fit” sourcing strategies from multiple available options. Please only apply for this role if you have a background in Telco and are able to commit to 2/3 days per week in our Reading office. Next Steps All applications should be submitted online, and I'll be back in touch after the vacancy closing date to let you know the outcome. Should you need any further assistance please contact careersneosnetworks.com