Explore how SRM could help your institution
At SUPC, Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) refers to the structured, strategic management of our relationships with our key framework suppliers to maximise value, drive innovation and ensure that our members’ needs are met in a compliant and efficient way.
By focusing beyond the transactional, we build long-term partnerships that support cost-effectiveness, quality, sustainability and continuous improvement.
Why SRM matters for our frameworks
When members use our framework agreements they benefit from more than just pre-negotiated pricing and terms. An SRM mindset means:
- Engaging with suppliers early and collaboratively, not just at the point of order
- Monitoring performance and working with suppliers to address issues before they escalate
- Encouraging innovation, for example through joint initiatives that benefit the higher education sector
- Managing risk, by segmenting our supplier base, we identify major/value-impact suppliers and apply appropriate governance and support
In a recent SUPC led webinar, the concept of “Improved SRM” was identified as a key benefit of our frameworks.
Our SRM framework: The approach
1. Supplier segmentation & prioritisation
Not all suppliers require the same level of management. We segment our supplier base to identify those whose performance, strategic value or spend profile means more intensive SRM is beneficial. This ensures resources are focused where they will deliver most value.
2. Performance measurement & KPIs
We set clear Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for our suppliers, focusing not solely on price, but on quality, delivery, innovation and alignment with sector-specific needs. We review these KPIs regularly via scheduled supplier business reviews.
3. Governance & engagement
Supplier relationship meetings, contract governance, risk review and remediation form part of our SRM governance model. We ensure suppliers know what good performance looks like and that we have mechanisms for escalating issues or collaborating on improvement.
4. Continuous improvement & innovation
SRM isn’t just “keeping things on track” it’s about evolution. We work with suppliers to surface opportunities for value-add, sustainability improvements, technology adoption or process re-engineering.
5. Member benefit & transparency
Through our frameworks, members benefit from SRM insights better supplier performance, reduced risk, and supplier behaviour aligned to the higher education sector’s values. We provide guidance, toolkits and engagement opportunities (such as workshops) to help members embed SRM principles locally.
Here’s how you as a member can engage with SRM via SUPC:
When selecting a framework, look at the “supplier management” sections of the Buyer Guide to understand supplier segmentation, performance expectations and call-off requirements.
Use the supplier Scorecards, performance dashboards or meeting tools provided via the framework to monitor behaviour, not just spend.
Engage your internal stakeholders (contract managers, category leads) early so that supplier reviews aren’t just reactive.
Raise improvement opportunities with your supplier and ask about innovation or sustainability proposals this helps unlock the value of SRM rather than purely transactional buying.
Share your feedback with the SUPC team about how a supplier is performing under a framework so we can feed that back into framework monitoring and continuous improvement.
Compliance & governance
Effective SRM supports compliance: frameworks that are well managed reduce risk of non-compliance, supplier under-performance, or value erosion. By embedding SRM practices, we help ensure:
- Standards are applied consistently across suppliers
- Performance shortfalls are captured and addressed
- Framework agreements deliver value over their full term, not just at point of award
Get support & learn more
We offer a range of SRM-focused resources for members:
- Webinars and drop-in sessions on best practice, segmentation, performance measurement.
- Toolkits and guides on how to manage supplier relationships, from contract management to governance agendas.
- Direct support from our category managers