Supplier Performance Manager (6-Month Contract)

Drive supplier performance. Build governance. Deliver measurable outcomes.

We are seeking an experienced Supplier Performance Manager for an initial 6-month contract to establish and embed best-practice supplier performance management across a portfolio of strategic suppliers.

This is a unique opportunity for a commercially minded professional who thrives on creating structure, governance, and accountability. Rather than inheriting an established framework, you will play a key role in designing and implementing supplier performance practices that deliver improved performance, greater value, and stronger business outcomes.

About the Role

As the Supplier Performance Manager, you will take ownership of developing and embedding supplier governance frameworks, performance measures, and relationship management practices across critical supplier partnerships.

Working closely with internal stakeholders and suppliers, you will establish meaningful performance metrics, drive accountability, and create a culture of continuous improvement. This role requires someone who can balance strong relationship management capabilities with commercial discipline and outcome-focused decision making.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and implement supplier performance management frameworks across strategic suppliers
• Develop supplier governance models, scorecards, KPIs, and Service Level Agreements (SLAs)
• Lead governance meetings, quarterly business reviews, and supplier performance discussions
• Monitor, measure, and report on supplier performance against agreed objectives
• Drive supplier accountability and continuous improvement initiatives
• Identify opportunities for value creation, cost optimisation, risk mitigation, and service enhancement
• Manage supplier issues, escalations, and performance remediation plans
• Partner with senior stakeholders to ensure supplier performance aligns with organisational priorities
• Establish clear reporting and governance structures that support informed decision making
• Drive a culture of performance, transparency, and continuous supplier improvement

Focus on PACE

A key component of this role is implementing a structured supplier performance approach centred on:

Performance

• Measuring supplier delivery against agreed KPIs and service obligations
• Monitoring service quality, operational effectiveness, and continuous improvement outcomes

Assurance

• Ensuring compliance, governance, risk, and contractual obligations are met
• Managing supplier-related risks and assurance requirements

Cost

• Driving value-for-money outcomes and commercial performance
• Identifying efficiencies, savings opportunities, and improved supplier outcomes

Engagement

• Building strategic supplier partnerships
• Encouraging collaboration, innovation, and proactive problem solving while maintaining accountability

About You

To be successful, you will bring:

• Proven experience establishing supplier governance and performance management frameworks
• Demonstrated success designing and implementing KPIs, SLAs, and supplier scorecards
• Strong supplier performance management and commercial capability
• Experience managing strategic or critical supplier relationships within complex environments
• Excellent stakeholder engagement, influencing, and communication skills
• A track record of driving supplier accountability and measurable performance improvements
• The ability to build frameworks and processes from the ground up rather than simply operating within existing structures
• Experience leading supplier governance forums and executive-level performance reviews

Experience within government, healthcare, infrastructure, utilities, or other large, complex environments will be highly regarded.

What’s on Offer?

• Initial 6-month contract
• Competitive market rate or equivalent fixed-term salary package
• Opportunity to build and embed supplier performance capability from the ground up
• High-profile role with significant stakeholder exposure
• A chance to drive meaningful outcomes across a portfolio of strategic suppliers
• Flexible engagement options available

If you have proven experience building supplier performance frameworks, creating KPIs and SLAs, and driving supplier accountability within complex organisations, we’d love to hear from you. This is an opportunity to make a tangible impact by establishing the governance, performance measures, and relationships that underpin successful supplier outcomes.

We’re proud to have been finalists for 2023 RCSA Awards in the Excellence in Client Service and Excellence in Candidate Care categories, and finalist for a 2023 SEEK Annual Recruitment Award in the Large Recruitment Agency of the Year category. At Salt, our mission is Creating Futures by putting our clients, candidates, partners, and team members at the heart of everything we do. We extend our sincere appreciation to everyone who has contributed to our continued success.