Contract Manager - Automotive

SF Recruitment are delighted to be retained and working with one of our long-standing clients to recruit a Contract Manager. As the Contract Manager, you will be responsible for the entire service delivery from the business to its largest customer, and the achievement of all annual sales and margin targets. As part of the National Accounts Group, you will work with the existing Contract Team for which you will provide back-up in maintaining effective communications and managing the contract according to defined scheduled tasks, reporting and customer service according to established process maps. You will be working with the internal branch operations and business functions to manage services according to contract SLA measures and targets, in dealing with customer branch / vendor networks, with the aim of maximising all potential sales reduce costs by improve parts availability and increase responsiveness throughout. Job Duties: - Oversee management of the day-to-day activities and services, delivered through branch networks. - Measure and report performance according to SLA measures and targets. - Establish and manage contract improvement plans through a specifically defined and targeted strategic plan, centred on the interest of service quality, value, reduced cost to serve and contract profitability, measured through a continuous improvement program. - Provide support and back-up to the contract Implant, providing timely, accurate feedback - responding efficiently to the customers' requirements. - Ensure smooth running of the contract including administration, financial, and service delivery. - Establish clear escalation routes in the interest of timely issue resolution. - Monitor effective communication and customer satisfaction through business/customer branch and regional management engagement (schedule meetings/Team calls) - Provide support to the branch networks in managing customers' requirements and providing services according to forecast activities and new business events. - In-line with the published strategic plan, arrange quarterly contract review meetings with client key stakeholders and representatives, reporting on SLA performance, sales/activity profiles, innovation, and partner value. - Maintain effective communications at all levels including senior management, in providing a 'window' into the areas of responsibility/customer satisfaction. Key Skills: - Experience in managing large complex and multi-layered organisations at a senior level including the delivering of mutually agreed strategic plans. With an ability to develop, manage, and cultivate relationships with the customer to help support planning and execution of commercial and business goals. - Extensive experience in the commercial vehicle parts supply sector, with a strong analytical and service excellence bias. - Excellent data analysis and reporting skills, to enable forensic understanding of opportunities and risks to optimise the return from the contract for the customer - Performance management and development of services to align and motivate the teams (indirectly) to deliver and exceed customer expectations. - Planning and Problem solving: Demonstrate a strong track record of problem solving and solid analytical skill capability, to look at and find solutions for a variety of operational challenges. Person Specification: The ideal candidate will need excellent communication skills, as the role requires extensive customer contact at board level. The role requires an individual who is flexible and able to manage and lead others. The customer's operation is driven by process adherence and effective communication, and this has been highlighted as a key focus area, so the ability to manage compliance and report performance to target in meeting customer requirements to demonstrate value is essential. The role is national, aligned to the business and customer branch / vendor networks, which will require flexible working hours and with extensive travel and some overnight stays to support the demanding nature of this contract.