Purpose of the Role

Responsible for managing, optimising and strengthening relationships with all  Soft Service providers (Cleaning, Consumables, machinery, Front of House, Landscaping, Waste, Pest control, Gritting)  who deliver services across the managed portfolio. The role ensures that suppliers deliver high quality, cost effective, compliant and timely services aligned to both Savills’ and Clients’ operational, sustainability and customer satisfaction objectives.

Working alongside the Safety + and ESG+ Teams, act as Subject Matter Expert (SME) within the Supply Chain team to strengthen relationships between the Supply Chain team and internal stakeholders across the Property & Facilities Management division for delivery of soft services.

Key Responsibilities

1.      Supplier and business Relationships

• Build and maintain strong relationships with all Soft Service providers to drive performance, innovation, and continuous improvement including but not limited to Cleaning, Consumables, Machinery, Front of House, Landscaping, Waste, Pest control and Gritting.

• Act as primary point of contract for internal stakeholders and suppliers, ensuring clear communication and alignment with company objectives when delivering Soft  Services. 

2.      Procurement Strategy & Planning

• Develop and execute sourcing strategies for all Soft Services categories (Cleaning, Consumables, machinery, Front of House, Landscaping, Waste, Pest control and Gritting).

• Conduct regular spend analysis, market benchmarking and cost modelling to identify cost-saving and efficiency opportunities.

• Lead sourcing exercises, tendering process (RFP/RFQ), evaluation, negotiation and  contract award.

3.      Contract & Supplier Management

• Draft, review and manage contracts including SLAs, KPIs, performance metrics, risk clauses, change management etc.

• Review supplier performance and compliance; conduct regular supplier reviews, manage remedial action for under-performance.

• Working alongside the Governance and Supplier Verification teams, ensure suppliers adhere to legal, regulatory, health & safety, environmental, sustainability and quality requirements.

4.      Stakeholder Management

• Work closely with internal teams (Surveyors, RFM network, estate managers, health & safety, ESG ) to define service requirements and ensure alignment.

• Liaise with senior leadership to understand business objectives (cost savings, ESG alignment, Workforce+ strategy, service levels) and ensure procurement delivers to these.

• Engage with end-users/customers to understand needs and maintain service satisfaction.

5.      Financial Management and Segmentation

• Manage Segmentation of Soft Service Suppliers, ensuring a suitable database of vetted suppliers is maintained and regularly reviewed across all regions and sectors within PM & FM division.

• Ensure all procurement provides value for money against specific site requirements.

• Define targets for savings, cost avoidance, process improvements; report regularly on progress.

• Provide input into business cases (where new service models, contract renewals or capital investment are required).

6.      Compliance, Risk & Governance ( working alongside the Governance and Supplier Verification team)

• Ensure all suppliers are adequately vetted in line with Savills Procurement Policy.

• Ensure operational delivery is in line with Environmental Legislation.

• Ensure procurement activities comply with relevant regulations (RICS Code of Conduct, Public Procurement Regulations ( if applicable) , procurement law, internal procurement policies).

• Ensure risk management processes are in place for supplier risk, contractual risk, service failure etc.

• Oversee audits, inspection, and reporting. Maintain contract registers and documentation.

• Escalate any area of non-compliance identified to the governance and supplier verification team to enable appropriate action to be taken.

7.      Continuous Improvement & Innovation

• Identify and embed best practices and innovation (e.g. new service delivery models, technology, sustainability, digital tools).

• Drive initiatives to improve service efficiency, reduce waste, improve health & safety, carbon footprint etc.

8.      Team Leadership & Development / Direct Reports

• Management of direct reports

• Ensure staff development, performance reviews, and appropriate resourcing.

Skills, Knowledge and Experience

Required Skills & Qualifications

• Significant experience (5+ years) in contract management specifically with Soft Service providers within Real Estate Sector.

• Good Network of Contacts in the Cleaning and Environmental Contracting industry.

• Ability to build collaborative partnerships with Suppliers.

• Project Management: Well-organised with a proven ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously, set priorities, and meet deadlines

• Strong commercial acumen; experience delivering cost savings and negotiating complex contracts.

• Good knowledge of Environmental and procurement legislation, contract law, procurement process best practice.

• Strong stakeholder management, communication and organisational skills.

• Ability to analyse data, benchmark, perform market research, prepare business cases.

• Knowledge of compliance, health & safety, environmental sustainability as relevant to Soft Services FM.

• Experience using e-procurement systems, contract management software, KPI dashboards etc.

Desirable

• Professional, technical or procurement qualification (e.g. CIPS) highly desirable.

• Educated to degree level or equivalent; supply chain / FM relevant qualification desirable.

• Previous exposure to sustainability / carbon reduction / ESG objectives.

• Knowledge of relevant standards or certifications (e.g. IWFM, IFMA etc.).

• Experience with innovation/digital transformation in FM procurement.

Performance Metrics (KPIs)

• Savings / cost avoidance achieved vs target.

• Supplier performance (percentage of SLAs met, quality scores, compliance).

• Contract renewal on time; number of contract disputes.

• Timeliness of procurement processes and tenders.

• Stakeholder satisfaction / service user satisfaction.

• Compliance with legal, regulatory, H&S requirements.

• Sustainability metrics (waste reduction, carbon emissions, etc.) if applicable. 

Working Hours - Full-Time. Role is UK based with extensive travel throughout the UK visiting sites, clients and internal stakeholders.  It is a pre-requisite of applying for the role that this is acceptable. The team will be based in Manchester so there will be the requirement to spend time in the Manchester office. 

Please see our Benefits Booklet for more information.