Head of Technology Supplier Management

Primark Stores Limited; Reading; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A major retail company in the UK is looking for a Head of Technology Supplier Management to lead supplier management and drive strategic partnerships. You'll oversee maximizing value from global supplier relationships, ensuring effective governance and collaboration with stakeholders. Ideal candidates will have extensive experience in managing partnerships in complex IT environments, along with strong leadership and negotiation skills. The position offers competitive benefits including healthcare, pension, and 27 days of leave.

Benefits

Healthcare

Pension

Potential bonus

27 days of leave plus bank holidays

Tax Saver Tickets

Fitness centre

Subsidised cafeteria

Qualifications

• 8–10 years in complex IT environments, including 3–5 years in senior leadership roles managing suppliers.
• Proven ability to manage large-scale partnership deals in heavily outsourced environments, ideally within retail.
• Strong track record in contract tendering, negotiations, and advanced supplier management.

Responsibilities

• Drive global strategic partnerships to unlock opportunities beyond spend leverage.
• Maximize commercial and operational benefits from global supplier relationships.
• Act as a commercial escalation point and represent company in senior partner governance forums.

Skills

Leadership & Experience

Strategic & Partnership Expertise

Contract & Negotiation Skills

Relationship & Communication Excellence

Analytical, Strategic & Innovative Thinking

Decision-Making, Adaptability & Customer Focus

Integrity, Influence & Organizational Skills

Job description

Technology at Primark

Because we strive to put people first.
Culture, our way.

Our technology team is actively shaping the next wave of advancements. Engaged with innovative initiatives, your expertise will propel our business into the future. Collaborating with a creative team of tech enthusiasts, you’ll contribute your unique skills to fuel our technological advancements.

What you’ll do

Here at Primark, we want everyone to feel valued – so please bring your authentic self to work, of course with some other key experience and abilities for this role in particular:

• Lead Technology Supplier Management – Drive global strategic partnerships to unlock opportunities beyond spend leverage.
• Deliver Efficiency & Value – Maximize commercial and operational benefits from global supplier relationships.
• Senior Stakeholder Influence – Act as a commercial escalation point and represent Primark in senior partner governance forums.
• Strategic Supplier Strategy – Design, implement, and embed the strategy across Technology teams, business stakeholders, and external partners.
• Governance & Relationship Management – Ensure effective governance and meaningful relationships with all technology suppliers, partners, and alliances.
• Collaboration with Procurement – Work closely with Heads of Category to align supplier selection and contract management for best outcomes.
• Reporting Line – Report to the Technology Planning, Governance & Delivery Director.
• Key Objective – Build and manage best-in‑class strategic partnerships leveraging expertise and experience.

What you’ll get as Head of Technology Supplier Management

The work you do shapes the impact we have. We’re focused on providing you with the culture to reach your potential. Your wellbeing is our top priority.

Let’s talk lifestyle: Healthcare, pension, and potential bonus. 27 days of leave, plus bank holidays and if you want, you can buy 5 more. Because Primark is all about tailoring to you, we offer Tax Saver Tickets, fitness centre, and a subsidised cafeteria.

What you’ll bring

At Primark, we focus on assisting you in developing your mindset and skillset to you reach your potential. Here’s a more detailed breakdown of the experience you’ll need:

• Leadership & Experience – 8–10 years in complex IT environments, including 3–5 years in senior leadership roles managing suppliers.
• Strategic & Partnership Expertise – Proven ability to manage large-scale partnership deals in heavily outsourced environments, ideally within retail.
• Contract & Negotiation Skills – Strong track record in contract tendering, negotiations, and advanced supplier management.
• Relationship & Communication Excellence – Trusted advisor with experience shaping business strategies, building senior stakeholder relationships, and exceptional verbal/written communication skills.
• Analytical, Strategic & Innovative Thinking – Advanced analytical skills, UX best practices knowledge, ability to set clear strategic direction, foster innovation, and lead change.
• Decision-Making, Adaptability & Customer Focus – Skilled in research, risk identification, solution design, timely decisions; thrives in fast‑paced environments while promoting customer‑centric collaboration.
• Integrity, Influence & Organizational Skills – Operates with high ethics and professionalism, inspires and coaches teams, drives high standards, and demonstrates strong planning, multitasking, and attention to detail.

Our fashion isn’t one‑size‑fits‑all and neither is our culture. Primark promotes equal employment opportunity, we strive to create an inclusive workplace where people can be themselves, access opportunities and thrive together.

If you require extra support at any stage of the selection process, please get in touch with our team at [e-mail].

REQ ID: JR-3082