Contract Operations Lead

ABOUT THE ROLE

In this role you will own the operational business relationships with all Waitrose Third Party Logistic (3PL) Providers and Contractors across the distribution network, managing financial, operational and reputational risk on behalf of Waitrose in order to meet business needs, deliver the business strategy and ensure service to branches and distribution centres.

You’ll direct and lead significant physical and behavioural transformation across our outsourced sites and operations through operational delivery of the Supply Chain Transformation programme.

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• Salary  - £68,800 - £112,400.  
• Contract type - This position is a Permanent contract.

• Working pattern/flexible working  - The Partnership has adopted a hybrid working approach, meaning you'll be able to work a mixture between the office and home based upon your personal needs whilst balancing the needs of the business. 
• Location - This is a homeworking role with expectation to travel to sites as required. 

Key responsibilities 

Build strong relationships with 3PLs to ensure consistently high performance supported by sharing of best practice and innovation. Conduct robust and effective commercial negotiations and regular contract management discussions, for both open and closed book contract structures, to drive maximum network benefit and ensure delivery of the Supply Chain Transformation and Optimisation Plans.  

Develop a Contract Management team who think end to end and understand the upstream and downstream impacts of their actions and how this fits into the wider end to end supply chain strategy.

 

Essential skills/experience you’ll need 

• Similar roles managing or leading 3PL large scale FMCG (fast moving consumer goods) operations 
• Experience of managing high value outsourced grocery operations with complex commercial structures, through both open and closed book contract structures 
• Ability to build strong relationships with 3PLs and Contractors, utilising these to maximise benefits 
• Knowledge and understanding of the external grocery logistics market 
• Experience of working with/for grocery competitors, directly or through third party logistics providers
• Strong commercial awareness and experience of negotiating contractual terms with 3PLs is really important as well as experience of managing 3PL relationships effectively to ensure cost and performance targets are met.

 

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Closing Date:

April 5, 2025

Pay:

£68,800.00 - £112,400.00 Annual

Contract Type:

Permanent

Hours of Work:

35

Job Level:

Partnership Level 5

Where You'll Be Working:

Home Worker, 1 Drummond Gate, London, , SW1V 2QQ

ABOUT THE PARTNERSHIP

We’re the largest employee owned business in the UK and home of our cherished brands, John Lewis and Waitrose. We’re not just employees, we’re Partners, driven by our purpose to build a happier world. As we look to our future, there’s never been a more exciting time to join us.  

We’re ruthlessly focused on being brilliant at retail. We continue to innovate, adapt and diversify. Never Knowingly Undersold on price, quality and service in John Lewis and passionately serving food-lovers in Waitrose.   

As Partners we all share the responsibility of ownership and in its rewards. We use our voices to contribute to our success, working together through the good and challenging times, holding true to our behaviours and treating everyone with kindness and respect. 

We all own making the Partnership somewhere we belong. Embracing our differences and creating an environment where we’re free to be ourselves and can THRIVE. Growing ourselves individually, and as a collective. 

As Partners, we make all the difference. And, we all own it.  

Important points to note:  

It’s important to note that some of our roles are subject to pre-employment vetting (which may include DBS checks for successful candidates). If required, you’ll be informed and provided with information about vetting during the recruitment process and we encourage you to complete any vetting documents quickly to avoid delays. Any DBS checks required will be carried out by a third-party registered body and financial probity checks may also be required for some of our roles.

We also recommend that you apply as soon as possible as vacancies can close early if we see a high number of applicants.  

We want all of our Partners to have a good work-life balance and we support flexible working. This might mean flexible or compressed hours, job sharing or shorter hour contracts, where possible. Please discuss this further with the hiring manager during your interview. 

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