Capability Manager

Job title: Capability Manager – Supplier Relationship Management
Salary: Circa  60,000
Grade: Band 3
Contract type: TfL
Reference: 4451
Team: P&C Group Capability
Contract details: Full Time/ Perm
Location: Palestra/Hybrid

Application closing date: 28th June 23.59

Interviews commence  27th July 

All offers of employment are subject to satisfactory right‑to‑work checks.  Candidates must be able to demonstrate their right to work in the UK.  At the present time TfL is unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.   

Hybrid working within this role enables a balance of 50 per cent of time split between the office and home over a 4-week period. Hybrid working arrangements can evolve subject to business requirements.  

Overview of the Role

This is a strategic role focused on shaping and improving how TfL manages its most critical suppliers, rather than directly managing contracts day-to-day.

You’ll lead the development and continuous improvement of Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) across TfL’s key supply base, turning strategy into practical tools, processes and governance that teams can actually use.

Working closely with senior stakeholders, Category and Contract Management teams, you’ll drive improvements in supplier performance, value and risk, using data, structured governance and insight to support decision making and influence outcomes.

This role operates in a complex, matrix environment where success depends on your ability to influence, challenge and bring stakeholders with you. You’ll also play a key role in building capability, coaching teams to deliver stronger commercial outcomes.

You won’t directly manage supplier contracts, but you will enable and influence teams across TfL to deliver better supplier performance and outcomes at scale, by embedding change, improving ways of working, and driving consistency.

This is an opportunity to shape how SRM is delivered at scale across a complex, high-profile public organisation.

Key Accountabilities

• Lead the development and continuous improvement of SRM across TfL’s most strategic suppliers
• Translate SRM strategy into simple, practical tools, processes and governance
• Partner with Category and Contract Management teams to improve supplier performance, value and risk management
• Design and embed consistent SRM ways of working aligned to the wider commercial landscape
• Use performance data, scorecards and insight to identify trends, risks and opportunities
• Support the management of strategic supplier relationships, including structured performance and governance forums
• Coach and support teams to build SRM capability, confidence and commercial best practice
• Influence and align stakeholders across a complex organisation to embed improved ways of working
• Drive continuous improvement across processes, tools and ways of working

Skills, Knowledge & Experience

Essential

• 5+ years experience in Supplier Relationship Management, Contract Management or a commercial role
• Proven ability to drive supplier performance, value and outcomes (not just manage contracts)
• Strong track record of turning strategy or policy into practical, scalable solutions
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills, you can challenge and bring people with you
• Confident using data and insight to drive decisions and performance improvement
• Experience working in complex, matrix organisations and dealing with ambiguity
• A continuous improvement mindset with experience improving processes and ways of working
• Strong communication skills, able to simplify complex ideas and drive action
• A collaborative, enabling approach, focused on improving outcomes through others

Desirable

• Experience in the public sector or regulated environment
• Exposure to SRM frameworks, governance and supplier performance models
• Strong understanding of procurement and commercial best practice
• Experience building and embedding capability, tools or operating models

Application Process    

• Please apply using your CV only 

• Think carefully about the skills, knowledge and experience in the advert and cover this in your CV 

• PDF format preferred and do not include any photographs or images 

Equality, diversity and inclusion 

We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion. We want to represent the city we serve, which will help us become a more innovative and efficient organisation. Our goal is to make our recruitment as inclusive as possible. We are a disability confident employer who guarantee an interview to any disabled candidate who meets all of the essential criteria. We also use anonymising software that removes identifying information from CVs to make the process fair. 
  
Benefits  

In return for your commitment and expertise, you will enjoy excellent benefits and scope to grow. Rewards vary according to the level of role but mostly include the below: 
 

• Final salary pension scheme  
• Free travel for you on the TfL network  
• Reimbursement of 75% of the cost of a standard class Ticket for National Rail travel from home 
• 29/30 days annual leave plus public and bank holidays 
• TfL is committed to work-life balance, operating a hybrid working approach where business and role requirements allow 
• Private healthcare discounted scheme Tax-efficient cycle-to-work programme 
  Retail, health, leisure and travel offers 
• Discounted Eurostar travel 

We will make every effort to give you as much notice as possible, however some interviews/assessments could be organised at short notice. 

Vetting Process 

At Transport for London, safety, trust and fairness sit at the heart of how we recruit. Our Vetting Charter (https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/careers/our-vetting-process) explains the checks we carry out before you join us, helping ensure we create a safe, inclusive and reliable network for everyone who depends on our services. We simply ask that the information you provide is honest and accurate so we can progress your application smoothly. If something doesn’t match or can’t be verified, we may not be able to move forward with your application, but we’ll always treat you with transparency, respect, and clear communication throughout.