I am looking for Supplier Relationship Manager Lead to work for the Client Organisation (High Speed Two Ltd) responsible for the New High-Speed Rail project in the UK, this is a unique opportunity to be responsible for the relationship with strategic suppliers working across the High Speed Two Programme. This is an interim role for a 6 month contract Looking for a Senior professional who has led and managed Supplier Relationship Programmes, open to a range of sectors not just infrastructure, rail or construction could be pharmaceutical, aviation, defence but industry experience and knowledge of some of HS2’s strategic suppliers would be beneficial - companies such as Atkins, Jacobs, Arup, Balfour Beatty, Siemens, Vinci, Costain. The Supplier Relationship Lead will report to the Head of Supply Chain & Relationships and the team works within HS2 Corporate Finance department, managing a team of 4 or 5 Supplier Relationship Managers and Analysts. This team is separate from Procurement & Contract Management. The Supplier Relationship Lead will provide relationship management (SRM) and supplier development leadership across HS2, including the provision of support to Commercial / Contract Managers responsible for ‘Strategic’ suppliers. The role will also be responsible for the development and implementation of SRM Framework activities that identify and deliver relationship benefits/value to supplier and HS2 alike. Please note HS2 have developed their own framework for Supplier Relationship Management so looking for someone who can take ownership and evolve & improve the processes. The role will have 3 main focuses: 1. Responsibility for 6 monthly corporate reviews with the strategic suppliers and reporting this to HS2 executive, highlight what is working and what isn’t across the relationship. 2. Pulling knowledge and learnings from the strategic suppliers into HS2 that can bring value for the programme and the company, could be form a whole range of areas – Safety, Technology, Staff working (home working), EDI, engineering innovations, new processes etc – Test & realisation. 3. Provide a platform to showcase the learnings both to the supply chain, industry, HS2, Dft businesses – mega project webinar, workshops, future Dft projects etc. It is important to note the Supplier Relationship Programme is not involved in performance management, all the benefits & Value the SRM Programmre is trying to realise from the Strategic Suppliers are non-contractual, therefore, they have no obligation to be involved. Therefore, the person driving this must gain credibility and buy in and influence the companies when they have no authority over them. Working Situation The office location is London, Euston or Birmingham and they operate a flexible hybrid working model working around 2 days a week from the office, the rest from home Salary £650 – 750 a day INSIDE IR35 The successful candidate Will be a Senior Individual who will be able Lead SRM on this enormous programme will have the confidence and experience to manage & influence Directors and executives from the Supply Chain and report to the HS2 board. Commercial Acumen – understanding of Design & Build Contracts and an overview of the NEC contract will be particularly helpful Worked for or on large scape Public Sector Projects – ideally on large infrastructure projects – Tideway, New Nuclear, New Homes Programme, Water Frameworks but open to others. Lead Supplier Relationship / Supplier Development Frameworks / Programmes. Superb communication and stakeholder management skills – ability o influence others they have no direct authority essential for the role