UK Solar Supplier Manager

We are looking for a Supplier Manager with a focus on managing and optimising commercial partnerships and a proven history of managing and improving client processes and operations. Experience of the solar market in the UK is a benefit. 

About iChoosr

iChoosr is a young, growing, international company with 100 colleagues who work throughout Great Britain, Belgium, the Netherlands,  Poland, USA and Japan.

iChoosr believes in the power of united consumers, the idea is simple: together you get a better deal than you would alone. iChoosr wants all parties involved to benefit: consumers, suppliers and clients. More than 2.7 million homes in Europe and beyond have saved money with iChoosr across a number of products including energy and solar panels. 

We have been running solar group purchasing schemes in the UK since 2015 in partnership with Local Authorities. The schemes aim to boost residential solar installations by making it easier for residents to find trustworthy installers and competitive pricing, and for UK installers to access groups of customers.

The UK Solar Supplier Manager Role

Satisfaction for all stakeholders is essential for the success of our group buying schemes; by gathering a large group of consumers we create efficiencies for the suppliers (solar and storage installers) which they can pass on to consumers in the form of competitive pricing for the panels and systems.  

Working closely with suppliers throughout the scheme to ensure clear communication, smooth processes and high quality of service is key to delivering the scheme outcomes and best-in-class customer experience we expect. 

As Supplier Manager for UK Solar you will be responsible for managing the (relationship with) solar installers, coaching them on the job and for delivering optimal installation results from each scheme. 

You have a dual role with suppliers; not only monitoring their progress and ensuring they meet contractual requirements, but also building a robust and open relationship in which you provide feedback and discuss opportunities to optimise the customer journey (processes) in order to achieve efficiencies; improve customer satisfaction and higher conversion rates (reduce cancellations).

You will manage all stages of the process of supplier engagement, from pre-auction qualification through to delivery of installations. This includes management of some third party relationships such as trainers and technical inspectors. 

This means that:

• You have strong relationship management skills and are able to quickly build robust working relationships with your suppliers and partners (on multiple levels?);
• You identify opportunities for improvement in processes and the customer journey for several ongoing projects;
• You manage the suppliers on the objectives of the schemes in terms of communication, progress, quality and administration;
• You actively involve the most important stakeholders in the course of the projects;
• You are able to interpret contractual requirements and communicate them with suppliers to ensure adherence;
• You advocate best practice and advise on possible improvements in the operational processes internally and at suppliers, and you contribute to its implementation;
• You travel around the UK (restrictions permitting) to spend time on location at suppliers’ offices; 
• You are familiar with operational aspects of solar installations, or able to quickly get up to speed with these.

Who do you work with?

As part of a small supplier management team, you also work closely with the Business Manager for UK Solar and with the UK Solar operations team.  

As a team you deliver the solar schemes and work to continuously improve them, but the Supplier Manager is primarily an outward facing role and you will need to spend time visiting suppliers. Restrictions permitting, you will be required to travel within the UK to spend time on location at suppliers’ sites. You will also seek to build relationships with other Supplier Managers working on our solar projects in other countries (Netherlands, Belgium and Japan) in order to share learnings and best practice.

About you

• You have at least 4 years work experience in commercial partnership and/or operational management role;
• You have a sharp, strategic eye and are always looking for opportunities to improve and optimise;
• Your communication skills ensure that you know how to get people involved in your ideas;
• You are able to influence stakeholders;
• You have a proven history of improving operational performance or implementation processes;
• You are fascinated by the technology and opportunity of solar panels.

What does iChoosr offer you?

• A challenging position within a professional and growing international organisation;
• A competitive salary (depending on experience) and benefits package 
• Space for personal development and career opportunities;
• Enthusiastic and sincere colleagues who work together informally
• A flexible and pleasant workplace in London with travel around the UK and to other European offices as needed;
  (because of the current Covid situation, we mainly work from our home offices and travel to other European offices is suspended)

 

Job Title

Supplier Manager - UK Solar

Location

UK (London)

Weekly hours

40

Contract

Permanent contract

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