Procurement Governance Risk & Supplier Relationship Manager at Primark
Primark · Reading, United Kingdom · Onsite
- Senior
- Office in Reading
Job Description
Job Title: Procurement Governance, Risk and Supplier Relationships Manager
Purpose of role: This role will be responsible for ensuring that all external suppliers and service providers meet the organization's compliance, performance, and risk standards. The ideal candidate will bridge procurement (including GBS teams), legal, and risk functions to enhance supplier value while minimising associated risks.
Reports to: Head of Procurement Excellence
Location: Dublin/Reading
Key responsibilities:
Our Values:
Every person impacts the culture at Primark. Our values: Caring (we always strive to put people first), Dynamic (we bravely push the boundaries to stay ahead) and Together (we learn more, laugh more and achieve more as a team) outline how we work with each other, our suppliers, and our partners. We want to continue to create amazing cultures across Primark and need everyone to play their part in making this happen by living our values.
Skills and experience:
Purpose of role: This role will be responsible for ensuring that all external suppliers and service providers meet the organization's compliance, performance, and risk standards. The ideal candidate will bridge procurement (including GBS teams), legal, and risk functions to enhance supplier value while minimising associated risks.
Reports to: Head of Procurement Excellence
Location: Dublin/Reading
Key responsibilities:
- We are seeking a strategic and detail-oriented professional to create, implement and oversee our governance, third-party risk management, supplier relationships, and contract lifecycle.
- This role will work closely with the Risk & Compliance, Legal, and Ethical teams to develop and implement frameworks for assessing, monitoring, and mitigating third-party risk (including operational, financial, regulatory, and reputational risks).
- Be responsible for the due diligence and ongoing risk assessments of suppliers and partners.
- Work closely with the Ethical teams to develop, execute and continuously improve the GNFR Ethical process and associated workflows, as well as work with suppliers to manage risks as highlighted by Ethical audits
- Lead the GBS offshore team to deliver performance and exceptional customer service throughout the delivery of Third-Party Risk Management (TPRM).
- Continuously improve and optimise the TPRM framework and process in line with internal and external risks and integrate tools and technology aligned with business processes.
- Maintain a centralised third-party risk register and coordinate with internal stakeholders (e.g., Compliance, Legal, InfoSec).
- Inspire and lead the Procurement team to fully commit to achieving a more risk aware and risk mitigated environment
- Create, implement and maintain an operational framework for supplier relationship management that ensures Primark can deliver its business value, ESG and reputation goals
- Embed the framework with procurement and business stakeholders for managing supplier segmentation, supplier review cycles and meetings, managing disputes, and driving performance, continuous improvement and innovation
- Be accountable for building team capability in risk and supplier management and compliance, providing ongoing support to procurement teams. Report periodic performance tracking and manage issue resolution
- Work with the Procurement Digital Manager to develop technology as an enabler and continually evolve supplier relationship management to adapt to changing market dynamics and business demands.
- Ensure all contracts are compliant with legal and regulatory requirements and reflect agreed commercial terms.
- Working closely with the Legal team, develop, implement and oversee the end-to-end contract lifecycle process, including drafting, negotiation, execution, renewal, and termination.
- Lead the controls and compliance framework and operational execution for the procurement function, working with risk, legal and other business functions.
Our Values:
Every person impacts the culture at Primark. Our values: Caring (we always strive to put people first), Dynamic (we bravely push the boundaries to stay ahead) and Together (we learn more, laugh more and achieve more as a team) outline how we work with each other, our suppliers, and our partners. We want to continue to create amazing cultures across Primark and need everyone to play their part in making this happen by living our values.
Skills and experience:
- 10+ years’ experience in third-party risk, procurement, legal, or contract management.
- Strong understanding of regulatory environments (e.g., GDPR, SOX, ISO standards) and risk frameworks.
- Proficiency in contract management systems and risk assessment tools.
- Be able to demonstrate your experience in managing partner performance and service
- Have maintained and developed relationships with strategic suppliers to drive step change in value received by Primark.
- Expert knowledge of ethical sourcing and corporate social responsibility issues
- Demonstrated ability to forge close business relationships with internal and external stakeholders at all management levels
- Will thrive in Primark’s culture and demonstrate our values and behaviours – caring, dynamic, and together
- The role is also required to operate within the Primark values and behaviours which describe how we work with each other, our suppliers and our partners.
- Excellent negotiation, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
- Strong Business Acumen
- Curiosity with the ability to drive change
- Self-motivated, focused, and results-oriented
- Driven achiever with a proven track record
- Innovative and resourceful
- Ability to influence senior internal and external stakeholders
- Excellent problem-solving, strategic thinking, and planning skills
- Excellent organisation, prioritisation, and time management skills
- Ability to analyse, evaluate, and recommend on risk at a strategic level
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Project management skills Ability to travel as required (>20%)
Function
Procurement
Location
Reading
Country
United Kingdom
Employee Status
Employee - Permanent
Yes
