IT Supplier Manager

Gi Group (United Kingdom); Reading; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

GI Group in Reading seeks an IT Supplier & Category Management specialist to lead IT supplier strategy and governance across Technology and Professional Services. You will manage the end-to-end supplier lifecycle—from evaluation and sourcing through contract negotiation, performance governance, and offboarding—ensuring suppliers deliver against SLAs, KPIs and service outcomes.

This is not a delivery-focused Project or Programme Management role, but a key governance and strategic function working

Qualifications

• 3+ years’ experience in IT supplier management (evaluation, contracting, performance management, offboarding).
• Demonstrable experience managing Technology and Professional Services suppliers (e.g., SIs and related providers).
• Proven ability to define and deliver supplier/category strategy in a highly regulated environment (Aerospace & Defence preferred).
• Strong commercial capability with experience negotiating complex IT contracts (international negotiation experience beneficial).
• Solid understanding of IT compliance, risk management and regulatory requirements.
• Evidence of improving supplier performance (e.g., cost effectiveness, service quality, customer satisfaction).
• Strong stakeholder management and the ability to influence across business and IT leadership.
• Experience building/embedding process and governance frameworks.

Responsibilities

• Partner with Digital Information leadership and key functions (e.g., Procurement) to define and execute the IT supplier strategy, optimising performance, reducing risk, and aligning to business and IT goals.
• Ensure ongoing alignment between supplier strategy, the Digital Information technology strategy, and Value Stream roadmaps.
• Support the establishment and operation of a robust supplier governance framework, working closely with Service Management and Business Management stakeholders.
• Act as a key point of contact between internal stakeholders and external suppliers, ensuring effective communication and issue resolution.
• Lead/support sourcing and procurement activities, including tendering, commercial negotiations, contract renewals and supplier selection.
• Run and facilitate supplier performance reviews, ensuring SLAs are achieved and customer satisfaction is maintained.
• Own day-to-day supplier performance management, including identifying and addressing service gaps, risk, compliance issues and poor performance.
• Work with Finance to manage budgets and drive cost saving / value initiatives relating to suppliers.
• Drive continuous improvement across quality, cost effectiveness and innovation within the supplier base.
• Attend and contribute to key meetings such as CAB, supplier reviews and operational service meetings as required.

Skills

IT supplier management

Technology suppliers

Professional Services suppliers

Supplier/category strategy

Contract negotiations

IT compliance & risk

Supplier performance

Stakeholder management

Job description

GI Group are recruiting for an IT Supplier & Category Management specialist to lead the definition and execution of IT supplier strategy and governance across Technology and Professional Services categories. You’ll manage the end-to-end supplier lifecycle—from supplier evaluation and sourcing through contract negotiation, performance governance, and offboarding—ensuring suppliers deliver against SLAs, KPIs and service outcomes.

This is not a delivery-focused Project or Programme Management role.

Key responsibilities

• Partner with Digital Information leadership and key functions (e.g., Procurement) to define and execute the IT supplier strategy, optimising performance, reducing risk, and aligning to business and IT goals.


• Ensure ongoing alignment between supplier strategy, the Digital Information technology strategy, and Value Stream roadmaps.


• Support the establishment and operation of a robust supplier governance framework, working closely with Service Management and Business Management stakeholders.


• Act as a key point of contact between internal stakeholders and external suppliers, ensuring effective communication and issue resolution.


• Lead/support sourcing and procurement activities, including tendering, commercial negotiations, contract renewals and supplier selection.


• Run and facilitate supplier performance reviews, ensuring SLAs are achieved and customer satisfaction is maintained.


• Own day-to-day supplier performance management, including identifying and addressing service gaps, risk, compliance issues and poor performance.


• Work with Finance to manage budgets and drive cost saving / value initiatives relating to suppliers.


• Drive continuous improvement across quality, cost effectiveness and innovation within the supplier base.


• Attend and contribute to key meetings such as CAB, supplier reviews and operational service meetings as required.

Required skills & experience

• 3+ years’ experience in IT supplier management (evaluation, contracting, performance management, offboarding).


• Demonstrable experience managing Technology and Professional Services suppliers (e.g., SIs and related providers).


• Proven ability to define and deliver supplier/category strategy in a highly regulated environment (Aerospace & Defence preferred).


• Strong commercial capability with experience negotiating complex IT contracts (international negotiation experience beneficial).


• Solid understanding of IT compliance, risk management and regulatory requirements.


• Evidence of improving supplier performance (e.g., cost effectiveness, service quality, customer satisfaction).


• Strong stakeholder management and the ability to influence across business and IT leadership.


• Experience building/embedding process and governance frameworks.

Sector Requirements:

• Active SC Clearance is mandatory (DV preferred).


• Aerospace & Defence experience is essential—ideally within MOD, Defence Digital, or UK aerospace environments, supporting sensitive programmes.


• Experience transitioning supplier contracts across two or more legal entities.


• Experience establishing supplier governance frameworks including tendering and performance management.


• Certifications such as CIPS, ITIL, PMP (or similar) are preferred.

Hiring Contact: Joanne Smith