A day in the life of a supplier relationship manager

Posted on Tuesday, July 2, 2024 by Guest BloggerNo comments

At Love Success, we connect talented professionals with rewarding office support jobs in London. One such role is that of a Supplier Relationship Manager (SRM), a position that involves managing and nurturing relationships with suppliers to ensure seamless business operations. Today, we’ll take you through a day in the life of Sarah, an experienced SRM.

Sarah’s story as a SRM

My day typically starts at 7:30 AM with a strong cup of coffee and a quick review of my emails. Being a Supplier Relationship Manager means staying on top of communications with suppliers from various time zones. I skim through any urgent messages that might have come in overnight and flag them for follow-up. I don’t have to work at 7.30 AM, I just find it makes my day easier.

By 8:00 AM, I’m ready to head to the office. As I commute, I often think about the key tasks I need to accomplish.

Once I’m at my desk around 9:00 AM, I prepare for the first meeting of the day. This usually involves a call with a key supplier to discuss any ongoing projects and address any issues that might have arisen. Today, I have a virtual meeting with our main IT supplier to discuss the rollout of a new software update.

During the meeting, we go over the timeline, potential risks, and mitigation strategies. Clear communication is crucial to ensure that everyone is on the same page. After the call, I summarise the discussion in an email and send it to all stakeholders.

Late morning is often dedicated to strategic planning. I review our supplier performance metrics and prepare reports for the monthly review meeting. Analysing these metrics helps us identify areas for improvement and ensure that we’re meeting our business objectives.

Today, I’m also working on a proposal to onboard a new supplier for our office supplies. I evaluate potential suppliers based on cost, reliability, and sustainability. One of the perks of office support jobs in London is the opportunity to work with a diverse range of suppliers and negotiate contracts that benefit our company.

A productive lunchtime

Lunchtime is a great opportunity to network with colleagues or even catch up with a supplier over a meal. Building strong relationships is a key part of my role. Today, I have a lunch meeting with a representative from one of our logistics partners. It’s a casual setting where we discuss upcoming projects and how we can collaborate more effectively. London is great for lunch meetings – I consider it a perk of the job!

Back in the office, I’m dealing with a supply chain delay that could impact our production schedule. I quickly gather all relevant information and set up a conference call with the supplier to find a solution. After some negotiation and coordination, we manage to expedite the shipment.

As the day winds down, I spend time reviewing the progress of various projects and updating our internal systems. Accurate record-keeping is essential for tracking supplier performance and ensuring compliance with contracts.

By 5:30 PM, I start wrapping up my tasks for the day. I send out any final emails and update my to-do list for the next day. Before I leave, I make a quick round of the office to check in with my team and ensure that everything is in order.

Would you like a job like this?

Being a Supplier Relationship Manager is a challenging but rewarding role. It requires a mix of strategic thinking, excellent communication skills, and the ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously. If you’re interested in office support jobs in London like this, Love Success can help you find the perfect fit for your skills and career goals. Register as a candidate.

 

 

Previous PostNext Post

No comments on "A day in the life of a supplier relationship manager"