Lead Supplier Manager

DWP Digital; Newcastle upon Tyne; Hybrid; GBP 58,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading government department is seeking a Lead Supplier Manager. This strategic role focuses on managing supplier relationships and ensuring contracts deliver value. You will lead a team involved in significant government initiatives, maintain supplier management systems, and uphold governance standards. Responsibilities include managing complex budgets and fostering cross-organizational collaborations. The role offers a competitive salary of £57,946 with a strong emphasis on work-life balance through hybrid working, generous leave, and comprehensive benefits.

Benefits

Flexible working hours

Civil service pension with significant employer contributions

Generous annual leave

Professional development opportunities

Discounts on shopping and activities

Qualifications

• Demonstrable experience in planning, governance, and financial performance.
• Experience in developing supplier management strategies.
• Proven ability to build relationships at the director level.

Responsibilities

• Manage and influence supplier relationships for government projects.
• Ensure contracts deliver value and meet social objectives.
• Lead a newly formed team on Digital Fraud and Error initiatives.

Skills

Planning and financial performance management

Supplier management strategies

Building strategic relationships

Leading procurement activities

Agile working environment

Job description

Pay of £57,946, plus 28.97% employer pension contributions, hybrid working, flexible hours, andgreat worklife balance.

DWP. Digital with Purpose.

As a Lead Supplier Manager at DWP Digital, you will be instrumental in building and managing effective supplier relationships. You manage procurement and financial processes that ensure we have the right tools, services and supply to deliver for our colleagues and users.

DWP is the UK's largest government department. We helppeople intowork, andmake payments worth over £195bn a year to support and empower millions of people. This role is about working with senior stakeholders to ensure contracts deliver value for money and support vital public services. The scale of what we do is extraordinary, and our purpose is unique. We'dlove you to join us.

What skills,knowledgeand experience will you need?

• Commercially minded with demonstrable experience in planning, governance and financial performance management and compliance using digital tools, financial modelling, and scenario analysis for strategic decisions in complex environments.


• Significant demonstrable experience in the development, implementation, and evaluation of robust supplier management strategies, project governance, and planning, leading to effective delivery and quantifiable improvements in supplier performance.


• Influential with extensive evidence in developing strong strategic relationships/networks within teams and across the wider organisation and the confidence and professional credibility to influence Director level colleagues.


• Extensive experience and proven track record in leading a team on procurement activities for major complex initiatives ensuring business needs are met and Digital sustainability requirements are incorporated.


• Proven ability and experience of delivering at pace, managing and prioritising tasks in a fast-paced agile working environment.

You and your role

This is a strategic Lead Supplier Manager role. You will be heading a newly formed team whom are central to delivering government priorities on Digital Fraud and Error.

You will set direction, empower colleagues, and ensure delivery of high-quality outcomes across a range of digital contracts.

You will manage major and complex contracts, including those exceeding £10m, from requirements gathering through the ITT process to contract placement.

This involves maintaining robust cost models, managing budgets and forecasts, and ensuring contracts deliver value for money while meeting social and environmental objectives. You will also take ownership of supplier management tools and systems, driving improvements where needed.

Building strong relationships with suppliers and internal partners-such as Commercial, Finance, Policy, and delivery teams-will be key to resolving issues quickly and ensuring smooth delivery. You will uphold governance standards, manage risks, and link team actions to successful project outcomes.

This is a high-impact role offering the opportunity to influence strategy, strengthen governance, and deliver outcomes aligned with Government priorities.

Details. Wages. Perks.

Location:

You’ll join us in one of our brilliant digital hubs in Birmingham, Blackpool, Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle or Sheffield, whichever is most convenient for you.

Hybrid Working:

We work in a hybrid model - you’ll spend some time working at home and some time collaborating face to face in a hub.

Pay:

We offer competitive pay of £57,946.

Pension:

You’ll get a brilliant civil service pension with employer contributions worth 28.97%.

Holidays:

A generous leave package starting at 26 days rising to 31 days over time. You can also take up to 3 extra days off a month on flexi-time. You’ll also get all the usual public holidays.

We have a broad benefits package built around your work-life balance which includes:

• Flexible working including flexible hours and flex-friendly policies


• Time off volunteering and charitable giving


• Bring your authentic self to work with 'I Can Be Me in DWP'


• Discounts and savings on shopping, fun days out and more


• Interest‑free loans to buy a bike or a season ticket, so it’s even easier for you to get to work and start making a difference


• Sports and social activities


• Professional development, coaching, mentoring and career progression opportunities.

And we have an award-winning environment and culture:

• DWP have been recognised as 2024 Diversity Employer of the Year at the Computing Women in Tech Excellence awards


• Diverse and Inclusive Leadership at Digital Leaders Awards 2024


• Commended as Best Place to Work in Digital category in the Computing Digital Technology Leaders awards 2025


• Recognised as one of the Best Public Sector Employers at 2025 WomenInTech Employer Awards

Process:

We know your time is valuable so our application and selection process is just two stages:

• Apply: complete your application on Civil Service Jobs. There’ll be full instructions when you click through.


• Interview: a single stage interview online.

CLICK APPLY

for more information and to start your application.