IT Vendor Manager

Sanderson; Reading; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

An innovative IT solutions provider in Reading is seeking an experienced IT Operational Vendor Manager to oversee vendor performance and service delivery. You will act as a bridge between vendors and internal teams, ensuring compliance and driving operational excellence. The ideal candidate has 3-5 years of experience in IT vendor management with a strong understanding of IT services and infrastructure. Strong communication and analytical skills are essential for success in this dynamic role.

Qualifications

• 3-5 years' experience in IT vendor management, service delivery, or IT operations.
• Strong knowledge of IT services and infrastructure (Cloud/SaaS, Networks, End-User Computing).
• Proven ability to manage SLAs/KPIs and lead structured service reviews.

Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day vendor performance, ensuring SLAs and KPIs are consistently met.
• Lead service review meetings, elevate issues, and drive timely resolutions.
• Maintain vendor scorecards and dashboards, spotting trends and service gaps early.

Skills

IT vendor management

IT service delivery

Negotiation skills

Analytical mindset

Excellent communication

Education

ITIL Foundation certification

Job description

A dynamic organisation is seeking an experienced IT Operational Vendor Manager to strengthen its IT Operations team. This role is pivotal in ensuring third-party IT partners deliver reliable, compliant, and cost-effective services, while acting as the bridge between vendors and internal teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee day-to-day vendor performance, ensuring SLAs and KPIs are consistently met.
• Lead service review meetings, elevate issues, and drive timely resolutions.
• Maintain vendor scorecards and dashboards, spotting trends and service gaps early.
• Ensure contracts, invoices, and compliance requirements are adhered to.
• Coordinate vendor-driven changes, safeguarding business continuity.
• Translate technical performance data into clear insights for stakeholders.
• Champion continuous improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency and value.
• Monitor operational risks and ensure robust contingency plans are in place.

Skills & Experience

• 3-5 years' experience in IT vendor management, service delivery, or IT operations.
• Strong knowledge of IT services and infrastructure (Cloud/SaaS, Networks, End-User Computing).
• Proven ability to manage SLAs/KPIs and lead structured service reviews.
• ITIL Foundation certification (or equivalent) desirable, with practical ITSM knowledge.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and conflict resolution skills.
• Analytical mindset with the ability to turn data into actionable insights.
• Highly organised, able to balance priorities and meet deadlines.

Ideal Candidate

A proactive IT professional who thrives on accountability and relationship-building. You'll be confident holding vendors to account, skilled at translating technical detail into business value, and motivated to drive operational excellence while developing further through ITIL learning and hands-on experience.

Reasonable Adjustments

Respect and equality are core values to us. We are proud of the diverse and inclusive community we have built, and we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and perspectives. Our success is driven by our people, united by the spirit of partnership to deliver the best resourcing solutions for our clients.

If you need any help or adjustments during the recruitment process for any reason, please let us know when you apply or talk to the recruiters directly so we can support you.