Senior Commercial Manager (Fixed Term Contract)

Direct Line Group; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading insurance provider seeks a Senior Commercial Manager to develop supplier strategies and manage supplier relationships. Responsibilities include leading contract negotiations and commercial management for key suppliers, engaging with stakeholders, and resolving commercial issues. The ideal candidate will have experience in commercial contract management and strong problem-solving skills. This role allows the individual to make a significant impact within a diverse and inclusive workplace. Benefits include flexible working options and a strong pension scheme.

Benefits

9% employer-contributed pension

50% off home and motor insurance

Flexible benefits scheme

Income protection and life assurance

Enhanced parental leave

Volunteering opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience in a commercial contract management role with sound contract knowledge.
• Ability to work with suppliers to resolve commercial issues.
• Excellent contract and compliance knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Develop supplier relationship strategies for critical suppliers.
• Lead the management of complex supplier contracts.
• Engage with Business Partners and develop stakeholder networks.

Skills

Commercial contract management

Supplier management

Problem-solving communication

Contract and compliance knowledge

Job description

Procurement at Direct Line is an expansive, innovative, intelligent affair. Bringing together supplier, competitor and industry knowledge, our teams source sustainable, commercially beneficial opportunities that keep us driving forward. It’s a department that spans the length and breadth of the business. That means unrivalled opportunities for career development, skill‑growth, and a wealth of experience to draw from.

We’re looking for a Senior Commercial Manager to join us on a 9‑12 Month Fixed Term/Secondment basis.

What you’ll be doing:

• Develop long‑term value‑adding supplier and relationship strategies for critical suppliers that are aligned to business, category and supply‑chain strategies.
• Work with the Head of Function, Category Head and Business Partners to translate the functional objectives into specific category strategies, with a clear plan to execute and deliver.
• Develop annual plans in liaison with the Business Partners, Category Head and Sourcing teams, leading the commercial management of key suppliers.
• Lead the management of complex supplier contracts, operational reviews and in‑contract negotiations, putting in place effective improvement action plans to address performance issues and internal controls as appropriate.
• Identify emerging risks and issues in relation to the adequacy and effectiveness of existing controls relating to CM&P business processes and technology.
• Ensure that risks identified in relation to the categories are actioned, addressed to a satisfactory level and closed in relevant databases and reporting.
• Attend the Category Sourcing Committee (CSC) as requested and ensure all relevant activities and actions are completed across the areas of responsibility.
• Lead on commercial management and projects (e.g. continuous improvement, innovation‑led initiatives, supply‑chain collaboration, etc.), bringing innovation from the market and supply base, delivering ongoing and increasing benefit to DLG through the effective engagement of suppliers and delivery of service, obligations and initiatives that drive new customer propositions, cost reduction and service improvement.
• Engage with Business Partners and develop stakeholder networks and management approaches across the categories of responsibility and work in a way that positively engages the support of stakeholders up to Director level using sophisticated problem‑solving communication and influencing skills.
• Manage sourcing and/or commercial managers as required, with responsibility for their objectives, performance and career development.
• Develop coaching relationships at all levels to support the development of colleagues and increase the effectiveness of the function.

What you’ll need:

• Experience in a commercial contract management role, with sound contract knowledge and a good grasp on principles of Category Management and Category Planning.
• Experience in managing material outsource and/or offshore suppliers (not essential but highly desirable).
• Ability to work with suppliers to resolve commercial issues or to find better ways of working – confident in handling challenging or difficult conversations by demonstrating resilience and professionalism.
• Excellent contract and compliance knowledge.

Benefits:

• 9% employer‑contributed pension.
• 50% off home, motor and pet insurance plus free Green Flag breakdown cover.
• Additional optional Health and Dental insurance.
• Buy‑as‑you‑earn share scheme.
• Employee discounts and cashback.
• Holidays: 22 days rising to 30 days depending on your role, plus the chance to buy and sell up to five days.
• Pension: company contribution of 9% of salary.
• Income protection: 50% of salary for five years.
• Life assurance: four times your salary.
• Flexible benefits scheme – adjust your income protection, life assurance and benefits package through our flexible scheme.
• Salary sacrifice for fully electric and plug‑in hybrid cars, and for private dental and medical cover.
• Enhanced parental leave – maternity, paternity, shared parental and emergency dependant leave.
• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) offering information on financial and mental well‑being as well as emergency support and advice.
• Mental health first aid – trained mental health first aiders for support whenever you need it.
• Volunteering opportunities through our partnership with Neighbourly.
• Donation matching – up to £50 a month to match any contributions you make to your local community.

Be yourself

Direct Line Group is an equal opportunity employer, and we think diversity of background and thinking is a big strength in our people. We’re delighted to feature as one of the UK’s Top 50 Inclusive Employers and are committed to making our business an inclusive place to work, where everyone can be themselves and succeed in their careers.

We know you’re more than a CV, and the things that make you, you, are what bring potential to our business. We recognise and embrace people who work in different ways so if you need any adjustments to our recruitment process, please speak to the recruitment team who will be happy to support you.

Location and hybrid working

Our hybrid model offers a “best of both worlds” approach. When you’ll be in the office depends on your role and team, but colleagues spend at least 50% of their time in the office.