Programme Manager
Location: Remote
Department: Automotive
Contract type: Permanent
About the role
We’re looking for a Programme Manager to join our Automotive Team, and play a key role in being responsible for developing, managing and optimising the Preferred Supplier programmes within Avant’s vehicle manufacturer Paint & Body Programmes. The role will ensure that suppliers deliver consistently high-quality products, services and performance standards that are aligned to the vehicle manufacturer networks to drive compliance, efficiency and a commercial return.
The Programme Manager will act as the central point of coordination between suppliers, internal teams, bodyshops and key manufacturer stakeholders to ensure alignment with strategic objectives and continuous programme improvement.
Activate Group is a growing UK business with 1,000+ team members nationwide. This is an exciting opportunity to build a long-term career with a company that values its people and offers genuine development and progression opportunities.
Key responsibilities
- Providing leadership and support to optimise programme revenue.
- Manage relationships with preferred suppliers across paint, consumables, distribution and equipment.
- Manage the preferred suppliers to optimise use of approved products by repairers.
- Communicate with all suppliers, customers, paint companies, distributors and dry goods providers as determined to deliver programme objectives.
- Provide communications and promotions of the preferred supplier products and services to VWG Paint and Body Centres.
- Support bodyshops in adopting and utilising preferred supplier solutions to optimise efficiency and commercial benefits.
- Ensure suppliers maintain compliance with quality, delivery and commercial performance standards.
- Analyse sales, performance and product compliance data to identify improvement opportunities and target underperforming suppliers.
- Utilise dashboards and scorecards to monitor supplier and programme performance and drive data led decisions for programme development.
- Conduct regular supplier performance reviews and scorecard assessments.
- Drive corrective action plans and continuous improvement initiatives to maximise supplier performance and programme value.
- Coordinate supplier onboarding activities, including product introductions and training programmes.
- Work closely with internal field teams and suppliers to ensure seamless onboarding of new network sites.
- Provide regular reporting and insights to senior leadership and vehicle manufacturer clients.
- Ensure programme alignment with manufacturer network requirements and standards.
- Represent the programme at industry events, supplier meetings, and performance reviews.
- Facilitate workshops, supplier days, and engagement initiatives to strengthen programme participation and supplier collaboration.
Skills and experience
- Proven experience within the automotive paint & body sector, aftermarket supply chain or refinish product distribution.
- A proven track record of strong performance in driving performance and key field operation metrics.
- Strong background in supplier account management, commercial programme management or network performance roles.
- Demonstrated success managing commercial agreements, rebates, pricing structures and supplier performance KPIs.
- Experience analysing performance data to drive commercial improvement.
- Understanding of bodyshop workflow, paint systems, consumables and product compliance requirements.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective and productive working relationships with centre staff at all levels, Bodyshop Managers, Regional Managers, Group Directors and senior management teams.
- Commercially driven, results-focused and proactive in addressing performance issues.
- Detail oriented with a commitment to accuracy and high standards.
- Self motivated, resilient, and comfortable working independently or collaboratively.
- Confident communicator who can present with credibility to suppliers and manufacturer clients.
- Able to build strong relationships and maintain a professional and engaging presence.
Benefits
We believe in rewarding our people for the great work they do. When you join Activate Group, you can expect:
- 33 days holiday, including bank holidays
- Personal health cash plan – claim back the cost of everyday healthcare such as dental and optical check-ups
- Enhanced maternity, paternity, adoption and shared parental pay
- Life assurance at three times your basic salary
- Free breakfasts and fresh fruit
- A birthday surprise for everyone
What you can expect from us
At Activate Group, we want everyone to have the tools and support they need to do their best work. We’re an innovative business that continuously reviews and improves our systems, processes and ways of working, making sure they support our teams to do their jobs effectively.
Every role at Activate Group is aligned to our wider business vision and purpose – making someone’s bad day better. You’ll understand how your role contributes to the bigger picture and how your work helps deliver excellent outcomes for customer and partners.
We believe work should be enjoyable. We make time to celebrate success, recognise achievements and bring people together at team events and company-wide celebrations. We’ll also support your ongoing development through regular feedback and career planning.
Whether you’re based in one of our contact centres in Halifax, Peterborough or Huddersfield, working at an Activate Accident Repair (AAR) site, or working from home, you’ll be part of a supportive culture where people are encouraged to succeed.
A bit about us
Activate Group is a fast-growing business approaching 1,000 team members nationwide.
We work with some of the UK’s largest fleets and insurance companies, supporting drivers that have been involved in road incidents through our contact centres in Halifax, Peterborough and Huddersfield.
We manage every step of the repair journey - repairing vehicles at our own Activate Accident Repair (AAR) body shops, as well as through a UK-wide network of trusted independent repair partners.
We also work with the UK’s largest vehicle manufacturers, supporting their approved repair programmes, and deliver innovative technology solutions to fleets, vehicle repair centres and dealerships.
Our purpose & values
Our purpose underpins everything we do: Make someone’s bad day better
Our values define how we work with our team members, customers and suppliers:
- Make it happen – Be accountable. Take the initiative, work fast, and do a great job.
- Strive for better – Be bold. Challenge the norm - make small improvements often.
- Win together – Be a team player. Win together, learn together, respect each other.
