Senior IT Vendor Manager

1st Executive Ltd; Manchester; On-site; GBP 80,000 - GBP 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading technology firm in the UK seeks an experienced professional to manage a defined IT vendor portfolio. The role involves leading vendor management with Tier 1 Tech Vendors, driving commercial negotiations, and ensuring strong governance and performance management. The ideal candidate will possess substantial experience in vendor management and contract negotiations. This position offers a strategic role with genuine autonomy, making it perfect for someone looking to operate at enterprise scale.

Benefits

25 days' holiday (plus buy/sell options)

Private healthcare and wellbeing support

Enhanced pension and life assurance

Qualifications

• Proven experience in senior vendor or supplier management roles within IT or technology environments.
• Strong commercial and contract management expertise.
• Confident influencing and challenging senior stakeholders and suppliers.
• Comfortable operating in large, matrixed organisations.

Responsibilities

• Lead vendor management with Tier 1 Tech Vendors across multiple business areas.
• Own strategic supplier relationships and act as the senior point of escalation.
• Drive contract negotiations, renewals and commercial optimisation.
• Embed strong governance, performance management and risk controls.
• Partner with internal stakeholders to align supplier capability to business need.
• Use data and insight to challenge performance and drive continuous improvement.

Skills

Vendor management

Contract negotiation

Commercial management

Stakeholder management

Education

Professional certifications (CIPS, IACCM/WCC)

Job description

The Opportunity:

You'll take responsibility for a defined IT vendor portfolio, working closely with technology leaders, procurement and senior stakeholders to ensure suppliers deliver against commercial, operational and strategic objectives.

This role combines strategy, governance and hands‑on execution, offering real influence over how technology partners are selected, managed and evolved.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead vendor management with Tier 1 Tech Vendors across multiple business areas.
• Own strategic supplier relationships and act as the senior point of escalation.
• Drive contract negotiations, renewals and commercial optimisation.
• Embed strong governance, performance management and risk controls.
• Partner with internal stakeholders to align supplier capability to business need.
• Use data and insight to challenge performance and drive continuous improvement.

About You:

• Proven experience in senior vendor or supplier management roles, within IT or technology environments.
• Strong commercial and contract management expertise.
• Confident influencing and challenging senior stakeholders and suppliers.
• Comfortable operating in large, matrixed organisations.
• Professional certifications (CIPS, IACCM/WCC) advantageous but not essential.

Package:

• 25 days' holiday (plus buy/sell options).
• Private healthcare and wellbeing support.
• Enhanced pension and life assurance.

Why Apply?

This is a rare opportunity to step into a visible, strategic role with genuine autonomy and influence - ideal for a commercially driven vendor leader ready to operate at enterprise scale.