Supplier Relationship Manager - Estates

Robert Walters is delighted to exclusively partner with The University of Manchester, a leading university in the UK, to recruit a Supplier Relationship Manager – Estates. This key role within the Procurement Team will focus on managing and strengthening supplier partnerships across estates, facilities management, and capital projects, ensuring value delivery and supporting the University’s strategic estate development in a complex, dynamic environment.

This is an exceptional opportunity for you to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of estate and facilities services at one of the UK’s most respected higher education institutions. You will be instrumental in ensuring that supplier partnerships deliver outstanding value, support the University’s ambitious sustainability goals, and align with its strategic vision. The University offers a collaborative and inclusive working environment where your expertise will directly contribute to the success of a diverse, multi-site estate.

• Join a world-leading university committed to sustainability, social responsibility, and continuous improvement across its extensive estate.
• Work collaboratively with cross-functional teams to manage high-value contracts, drive supplier performance, and embed best practice in procurement processes.
• Benefit from flexible working opportunities, generous pension contributions, and ongoing training designed to help you thrive in your career.

What you'll do:

As Supplier Relationship Manager Estates at the University of Manchester, you will take ownership of managing key supplier partnerships across a broad portfolio of estate services. Your day-to-day activities will involve collaborating with internal teams to ensure that suppliers deliver high-quality services aligned with the University's objectives. You will be responsible for developing robust frameworks for contract management, monitoring supplier performance through comprehensive data analysis, and producing insightful reports for senior leaders.

• Manage relationships with a wide range of estate service and construction providers including cleaning, catering, maintenance, waste management, security, and conferencing ensuring all contractual obligations are fulfilled efficiently and effectively.
• Collaborate closely with category teams to develop detailed specifications for new contracts and assist in negotiations that secure optimal terms for the University.
• Oversee all estates-related contracts by monitoring supplier performance against agreed KPIs and using benchmarking data to identify areas for service enhancement.
• Collect, analyse, and report on supplier performance metrics to ensure contracted services consistently meet or exceed business objectives and stakeholder expectations.
• Establish robust service level agreements (SLAs) and produce regular performance reports for senior management to inform decision-making.
• Ensure full compliance with University policies as well as relevant legislation by conducting due diligence checks, leading risk assessments, and coordinating with Legal and Procurement colleagues.
• Review and approve supplier invoices while supporting budgeting processes, forecasting requirements, and driving cost-saving initiatives across all estate service contracts.

What you bring:

In this Supplier Relationship Manager Estates position at the University of Manchester, your proven track record managing complex supplier relationships within large estates environments will set you apart. Your technical understanding of facilities management disciplines—spanning both hard and soft FM will enable you to oversee diverse service contracts confidently. You bring advanced analytical capabilities that empower you to interpret key performance indicators (KPIs), manage budgets effectively, and provide actionable insights through detailed reporting.

• Extensive experience in supplier or contract management within large-scale estates or facilities environments is essential for success in this role.
• Demonstrated ability to manage a diverse range of service contracts including cleaning, facilities management (FM), catering, security with proven skills in performance monitoring and risk mitigation.
• Comprehensive knowledge of both Hard FM (e.g., building maintenance) and Soft FM (e.g., cleaning/catering) disciplines as well as related statutory requirements is required.
• Familiarity with industry-standard contract forms such as JCT or NEC is highly desirable; experience working on large construction or infrastructure projects would be advantageous.
• Excellent negotiation skills combined with strong communication abilities enable you to build positive relationships with suppliers and stakeholders at all organisational levels.
• Advanced analytical skills allow you to interpret complex supplier performance data accurately while supporting budget development and identifying efficiency improvements.
• Highly organised approach ensures attention to detail when overseeing multiple contracts simultaneously; resilience helps you navigate pressure or complex situations calmly.
• A proactive mindset focused on continuous improvement enables you to adapt flexibly to changing priorities while maintaining integrity in upholding ethical standards.

What sets this company apart:

The University of Manchester stands out as one of the UK’s most prestigious higher education institutions renowned not only for academic excellence but also for its unwavering commitment to social responsibility and environmental sustainability. As part of a vibrant campus community located at Oxford Road in central Manchester, you will enjoy access to state-of-the-art facilities alongside dedicated colleagues who share your passion for making a difference.

“The University of Manchester are an equal opportunities employer we welcome applicants from all sections of the community regardless of age, sex, gender (or gender identity), ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation and transgender status. All appointments are made on merit.”

Robert Walters Operations Limited is an employment business and employment agency and welcomes applications from all candidates