Overview
Would you like to help enrich the lives of learners around the world?
At RM, we've been pioneers of education technology since 1973. We provide technology and resources to the education sector, supporting over 10 million students worldwide. We work with over 28,000 schools, nurseries, and education trusts in 115 countries to deliver customer-centric solutions that improve education outcomes.
What we do helps learners at all stages of their lives, from preschool to higher education and professional qualification; we partner with schools, examination boards, central governments and other professional institutions to enrich the lives of learners.
RM Group operates through three businesses: Technology (Managed Services, Software and Infrastructure for Schools), Assessment (Software and Services) and TTS (Educational Resources).
RM Technology is a market-leading supplier of ICT products and services to UK schools and colleges to deliver a technology environment that improves learning outcomes and makes the most of IT investment, driving focus through four lines of business: Managed Services, Software, Hardware and Broadband.
In this role you would be accountable for the category strategy and operations whilst managing the relationship and the performance of the suppliers. You will also be expected to apply industry best practices and train/mentor junior staff.
The Category Manager - Installation Partners will play a pivotal role in managing and optimizing our network of installation service providers. This role is responsible for building strategic partnerships, driving performance, ensuring compliance, and achieving business objectives through effective KPI monitoring and management.
Responsibilities
The Category Manager is accountable for the creation and implementation of the business strategy and has commercial accountabilities for all activities. They are seen as an expert on the category within the organisation. The role spans the full product life cycle for all lines of business within the category.
The ideal candidate will analyse data, develop performance improvement strategies, and support the growth of a reliable and cost-efficient installation partner ecosystem.
Partner Management
1. Supplier ownership across the Category, managing the relationship, contracts and regular performance reviews to ensure alignment with company goals and standards, performance improvement and consistent high delivery.
2. Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and excellence within the partner network.
3. Lead negotiation, and management, of contractual SLAs between the supplier and RM.
Strategy and optimisation
1. Identify, onboard, and train new partners to expand coverage and capacity.
2. Responsible for providing insight about the competitive landscape, underpinned by detailed analysis, ensuring that buy prices are set at the correct level to maximise profitability for RM.
3. Apply industry best practice and guide others where appropriate.
4. Identify opportunities to streamline processes and improve partner service levels.
Monitoring and Performance Management
1. Define, agree, and drive, proactive reporting on supplier performance metrics (KPIs) to ensure they are delivering their obligations. Identify gaps and implement corrective action plans. Ensure compliance with service quality, safety, and company policies.
2. Supporting the P&Ls to deliver required revenue and direct margin by leading price negotiation and controlling costs. Develop and implement cost reduction initiatives without compromising service quality.
3. Monitor and manage partner compliance with health, safety, and operational standards.
Data Analysis and Reporting
1. Use data-driven insights to identify trends, forecast demand, and optimize resource allocation across the partner network.
2. Develop and deliver detailed performance reports for leadership and stakeholders.
3. Leverage analytical tools to enhance operational efficiency and partner performance.
Risk and Issue Management
1. Owning, understanding, and managing risks and opportunities related to suppliers. Implement risk mitigation strategies where required.
2. Proactively address partner-related issues to minimize disruption to operations.
3. Establish and monitoring clear and robust communication plans for suppliers including escalation processes.
MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:
Relationship Management
1. Work cross functionally to develop relationships with key external and internal stakeholder groups and identify opportunities to leverage supplier relationships to support the business needs. Train/mentor junior staff.
Delivery, quality, and performance
1. Lead key supplier relationships through an effective framework to ensure requirements are met within agreed timelines and to agreed quality.
Operational and Risk management
1. Ensure the customer journey is smooth by overcoming any operational challenges and ensuring risks are mitigated successfully. Govern regulatory compliance and best practice.
Cost / Contract
1. Negotiate terms and conditions under which RM will trade with suppliers to deliver optimum commercial benefits and protection against risk. Ensure total least cost solutions are in place for RM. Lead the successful onboarding of new suppliers.
Innovation
1. Application of creative ideas, best practices, technology and stakeholder engagement that increase supplier effectiveness and directly contribute to profitability.
Strategy
1. Develop, implement and evolve 'best in class' category management and procurement practice. Contribute to the RM 3-5 year strategy.
KEY RELATIONSHIPS:
Internal:
1. Supplier / Category Management - work with and support other members of the team helping to ensure successful and sustainable management / delivery capability.
2. Customer Account Teams - review and report on supplier performance/cost, plan capacity and allocate workload across suppliers, act as escalation point for operational issues, respond to change requests.
3. Propositions Team - work closely with product managers to ensure the supply chain delivers the service required by our customer propositions.
4. Business Development - represent supply chain in new business opportunities.
5. Commercial / Legal - obtain support as needed.
6. Project Managers - represent supply chain in transition projects (typically new customer or major new service introductions).
External:
1. Current suppliers - responsible for performance of and relationship with suppliers.
2. Potential suppliers - identify, select, contract, and develop new suppliers in line with strategy.
3. Customers - represent RM's supply chain to new and existing customers.
Experience
1. Experience in managing installation or field service providers within industries such as construction or telecommunications.
2. Familiarity with tools or software used to manage vendor performance and operations.
3. Demonstrable experience of managing a similar level of spend and workload whilst working in a fast-paced role.
4. Experience in negotiating with suppliers at a senior level.
5. Demonstrable experience of building and managing relationships externally with suppliers and internally with stakeholders.
6. Excellent planning and organisational skills and a flexible approach to workload demands.
7. High levels of self-motivation, drive and tenacity.
8. Pro-active and innovative approach in providing solutions to challenges.
9. Excellent written and verbal communication, with strong active listening and influencing skills.
10. Excellent PC skills to include Microsoft Office.
11. Excellent analytical skills.
12. Knowledge of industry best practices.
What's in it for you?
At RM we have "My Work Blend @RM" which provides office-based colleagues with multi location and hybrid working options to suit them. As well as your office base, you can spend a proportion of your time working at other locations in the UK that suit your role and your life, including home, other offices, customer sites, distribution centres or on the move. We encourage you to discuss arrangements for this role with your potential line manager during the recruitment process. We expect how we make best use of hybrid working may continue to adapt as we adjust to our new ways of working.
As well as a competitive salary and our core benefits package which includes private medical healthcare, life assurance and a Group Personal Pension Plan with higher contribution levels available, some roles are also eligible for a performance-related bonus. There are lots of voluntary benefits too. You could buy additional annual leave, join our dental plan, sign for a health assessment, or take part in our cycle to work scheme. You could even earn yourself an extra bonus for successfully recommending a friend or family member for a position within RM.
To better reflect the society that we serve, we're committed to building a diverse workforce and creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for all. To achieve this, we create teams of talented people from different backgrounds and experiences and strive to be a business where our people can bring their whole selves to work. We also want to make the recruitment process as inclusive as possible for everyone. Should you require additional support with your application or through the interview process, please contact us at recruitment@rm.com.
Unfortunately, we are unable to offer sponsorship for this role. #J-18808-Ljbffr