Supplier Relations Manager

We are looking for a proactive, enthusiastic candidate with excellent problem-solving and relationship-building skills to take on the role of Supplier Relations Manager, Journals. This is a great opportunity to join our publishing management team, leading the day-to-day operation of the externally-handled parts of the editorial and production processes for journal articles accepted for publication, supporting the growth of our journals and upholding quality standards.

You will work closely with our third party journal production suppliers; you will be responsible for building relationships, setting expectations and schedules, communicating policy, providing day-to-day support and overseeing/improving the quality and timeliness of supplier performance. You will lead a team of Supplier Relations Executives to support you in these activities, ensuring team members are trained and equipped with the knowledge and expertise to perform in their roles.

You will work as part of the publishing team but will also work closely with other departments as required. You will have a strong understanding of the production of STM journals, from peer review through to final publication, in particular the production of journal articles after acceptance. This includes copy-editing, proofing, XML, pagination and associated tasks and systems.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Assisting the Journals Manager in defining and implementing Royal Society of Chemistry policy regarding the outsourcing of editorial and production activities.
• Leading and managing a team of Supplier Relations Executives, Journals, in implementing the externally-handled parts of editorial and production processes, developing a structured strategy to meet the department’s needs; ensuring the team is appropriately trained and resourced.
• Identifying and investigating the feasibility of new tools and improvements to existing procedures relating to supplier activities to improve editorial and production processes.
• Liaising closely with colleagues to ensure effective two-way communication regarding journal workflows.
• Managing the day-to-day operation of the externally-handled parts of the editorial and production process for journal articles, ensuring that external suppliers carrying out these activities achieve our quality and timeliness targets, and that best practice and efficient workflows are applied.
• Developing and maintaining good relationships with customers and suppliers.
• Monitoring levels of customer service and recommending appropriate improvements to systems or processes.
• Communicating effectively with internal and external staff regarding these activities.

Please see the role descriptor for full details.

Skills and qualifications needed:

• A good honours degree in science (chemical science normally preferred) is essential.
• Experience in STM publishing, in particular experience and a strong understanding of the production of STM journals (which includes editing, proofing, electronic file manipulation, page makeup and associated tasks and systems) is essential. Ability to train staff & suppliers effectively on related technical and non-technical matters
• Ability to lead and manage a team. Previous experience of managing or supervising a team is desirable and advantageous
• A proactive approach to problem solving and good communication skills in interacting with internal and external contacts is required.
• Good organisational and time-management skills are required together with the ability to work under pressure, prioritise and to meet deadlines.

The Royal Society of Chemistry offers excellent benefits. The contractual base for this role is Cambridge, however we are currently embracing hybrid working, and therefore you will have the opportunity to work from a location other than this, as agreed with your line manager. Applicants should be aware that there is an expectation that employees will attend the offices as needed for their role.

Download the full job description here.