Contract and Vendor Manager

Ypto; Brussel Hoofdstad; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote work option

35 days leave

Company car

Public transport season ticket

Bonus target

Insurance package

Medical/dental cover for family

Meal vouchers

Internet budget

Job summary

Ypto is seeking a Contract and Vendor Manager to join the Procurement, Contract and Vendor Management team. You will lead IT procurement initiatives, manage a multi-vendor contract portfolio, and define strategies aligned with SNCB/NMBS digital roadmaps.

You will gather requirements, draft specifications, and ensure regulatory compliance across IT services including cybersecurity and ADMS. You will also negotiate, monitor SLAs/KPIs, and collaborate with internal stakeholders and procurement

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a relevant field.
• 10+ years in complex IT environments.
• Experience with public procurement and regulated sectors.
• Expert in contract management and IT sourcing.
• Languages: Dutch, French, and English.

Responsibilities

• Lead or coordinate complex public procurement processes for IT goods and services.
• Govern IT contracts with SLAs/KPIs, risk management, and value creation.
• Design contractual solutions, pricing mechanisms, and monitoring systems.
• Manage relationships with strategic suppliers and senior stakeholders.
• Oversee a portfolio of critical IT contracts and contract deadlines.
• Contribute to cost control, contract optimization, and regulatory risk management.
• Act as a business partner to management and influence strategic decisions.

Skills

Public procurement

IT contracting

Vendor management

Stakeholder management

IT sourcing

Education

Master’s degree

Job description

Contract and Vendor Manager

How do you help make a difference?

As a Contract Manager, you will be part of the Procurement, Contract and Vendor Management team within B-IT (the IT department of SNCB/NMBS through YPTO).

You will operate in a complex IT environment that is critical to business continuity and will be responsible for leading strategic IT procurement initiatives, as well as managing and optimizing a portfolio of IT contracts with significant financial, operational, and regulatory impact. For this role, the focus is primarily on the procurement of IT services such as ADMS (Application Development, Maintenance and Support) and cybersecurity-related services.

You will lead complex IT procurement projects end-to-end and define sourcing strategies aligned with SNCB’s digital roadmap. From an operational perspective, you will drive requirements gathering in collaboration with internal stakeholders, define procurement strategies, and oversee the preparation of technical specifications, working closely with SNCB’s Procurement department and the various IT departments involved (SMEs).

What is your role at SNCB?

As a Contract and Vendor Manager, you will be responsible for the following:

• You will lead or coordinate complex public procurement processes (goods and services), including defining the procurement strategy, governing the evaluation process, and conducting technical and contractual negotiations, in collaboration with the internal procurement teams responsible for ensuring compliance with public procurement legislation.
• In a multi-vendor environment, you will be responsible for the full governance of IT contracts, including performance monitoring (SLAs/KPIs), proactive risk management, and corrective actions to ensure service continuity and value creation.
• Through your close relationships with internal clients and your understanding of the IT landscape and market, you will gain a deep understanding of their needs and help design appropriate contractual solutions, pricing mechanisms, and systems for monitoring and evaluating service delivery (KPIs).
• You will manage relationships with strategic suppliers, including escalation management, resolution of complex disputes, and senior-level negotiations.
• You will manage a portfolio of critical IT contracts, ensuring visibility on contract deadlines, risks, optimization opportunities, and financial impact.
• You will contribute directly to cost control, contract optimization, and the management of contractual, financial, and regulatory risks.
• You will act as a business partner and trusted advisor to management by challenging requirements and helping guide strategic decisions.

The role is characterized by the simultaneous management of complex projects and contracts with significant financial impact and a direct influence on the continuity of IT services.

Requirements

Why is this job a good fit for you?

1. You hold a Master’s degree, preferably in Business Economics, Industrial Engineering, Commercial Engineering, or Information Technology.
2. You have at least 10 years of experience in complex IT environments, either as a Senior Contract Manager, Senior Buyer/Procurement Manager, or as a Project or Program Manager within the IT sector.
3. You have experience with public procurement and/or regulated utility sectors.
4. You have experience in strategic contract management and IT sourcing; experience in Cybersecurity is considered a strong asset.
5. You possess excellent drafting and documentation skills, with a strong affinity for contractual matters and vendor management.
6. You are an expert in stakeholder management at all organizational levels. You enjoy working collaboratively and are capable of taking the lead in cross-functional teams.
7. You have experience in IT project management, including methodologies, budgets, resource planning, and governance.
8. You demonstrate a high degree of autonomy.
9. You have the ability to influence decision-making at senior management level.
10. You have experience interacting with C-level executives.
11. Languages: Dutch, French, and English.

Everyone is unique. That’s why we believe it’s important that you can be yourself — it makes SNCB/NMBS stronger. We therefore place great value on diversity and inclusion.

What can you expect from us?

Within our open corporate culture, you contribute to the digital transformation of SNCB/NMBS. You will have a job with social impact and ample opportunity to make your own contribution. In addition to a good work-life balance and a competitive salary, you will receive the following benefits:

• the possibility to work remotely + flexible working hours;
• 35 days of leave;
• a company car + a public transport season ticket;
• a target bonus;
• a comprehensive insurance package (affiliation without own contribution, excl. outpatient costs for family members);
• hospitalisation and dental care for the whole family;
• outpatient costs (= medical costs separate from hospitalisation);
• group insurance: supplementary pension, work disability and death (cafeteria plan);
• accidents at work (extralegal);
• meal vouchers and eco-vouchers;
• net allowances for remote working and carwash + internet budget.

Where will you be working?

You will work near Brussels-South station.

What’s next?

You apply online.

We take a close look at your CV and check whether it matches the profile you are looking for. We may call you briefly to ask about your motivation and experience.

We invite you for a first (online) HR interview where you can demonstrate your motivation, experience and expectations.

If the first interview is positive, we invite you for a second technical interview in Brussels. This interview will be with the team, where we’ll discuss the role and how your skills align with the team’s needs.

If everything goes well, we will make you a contract offer.

We reserve the right to adjust or pause this procedure if necessary. Our recruitment team will select the profiles that best match the job requirements to ensure an optimal fit.

Any questions? Contact our Ypto Recruitment contact person.

At Ypto, you never stand still. Every day is different and offers the opportunity to be challenged to innovate in order to find the best solution for our customer.

Social impact

Through your work, you contribute to the future of Belgian railways and have a tangible impact on millions of people.

Growth opportunities

Initiative, trust and self-management are key. You will have the support of your colleagues to develop and the opportunity to grow.

Additional notes

Our job posting includes standard information about the role and organization. Any questions about the process should be directed to our recruitment contact.