Strategic Supplier Manager - Technology

TN United Kingdom; Manchester; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a Strategic Supplier Manager to oversee and enhance their technology partnerships. This role is pivotal in ensuring the effective delivery of assessment technologies while managing complex supplier relationships. You will engage with key stakeholders, monitor supplier performance, and drive strategic initiatives to optimize technology investments. Join a dynamic team where your expertise will contribute to shaping the future of educational assessment technology, ensuring high-quality service delivery and customer satisfaction. If you are passionate about technology and supplier management, this opportunity is perfect for you.

Qualifications

• Experience in managing strategic technology supplier relationships.
• Strong communication and negotiation skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• Manage 3rd party technology suppliers to ensure quality service delivery.
• Act as the key interface for senior stakeholders and translate needs.

Skills

Supplier Relationship Management

Communication Skills

Negotiation Skills

Issue Resolution

Business Case Management

Job description

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Strategic Supplier Manager - Technology, Manchester

Client: AQA

Location: Manchester, United Kingdom

Job Category: Other

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EU work permit required: Yes

Job Reference: 08adcae165e4

Job Views: 13

Posted: 29.04.2025

Expiry Date: 13.06.2025

Job Description:

Summary

The purpose of this role is to own, actively manage, and evolve AQA’s strategic 3rd party technology partner relationships, such as Avanade, to ensure AQA can cost-effectively deliver and optimise its use of assessment and education technologies to meet current and future business needs.

The role will maintain an enterprise-wide, cross-workstream view of key assessment technology supplier delivery to monitor progress, quality, and value for money, ensuring continued value from technology investments.

Landscape

As AQA seeks to enhance its assessment technology portfolio, this role involves managing a complex portfolio of interconnected projects and solutions delivered through in-house and third-party suppliers. Active management of partner relationships and performance outcomes is critical.

This role also serves as the key interface to senior internal stakeholders, translating their needs into service expectations for operational use and change delivery.

Reporting

This is a standalone role reporting to the Director of Assessment Technology, with a dotted line to the Director of Enterprise Technology. The role is part of the Assessment Technology leadership team.

Activities

• Proactive management of all 3rd party strategic technology suppliers, ensuring delivery of services at required quality levels and KPIs.
• Oversight of supplier service delivery against roadmaps and service levels, ensuring quality and value for money.
• Define and monitor operational performance standards, reporting on performance and quality.
• Ensure high customer satisfaction through effective IT services.
• Active stakeholder management, engaging and challenging stakeholders and suppliers.
• Act as escalation point for issues, including major incidents.
• Provide regular strategic supplier reports.
• Assist in sourcing activities, contracts, and agreements.
• Manage supplier accounts, ensuring objectives are met and informing the budget process.
• Develop collaborative practices that contribute to secure operations and competitive advantage.
• Serve as the overall supplier manager for key assessment technology providers.
• Contribute to strategy and roadmap development to enhance customer proposition and market share.

Knowledge and Skills

• Knowledge of AQA products, market influences, and operating environment.
• Experience in supplier relationship management and working with third-party delivery partners.
• Understanding of technology supplier management, including commercial agreements and financial budgeting.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and influence skills.
• Proactive issue resolution and cross-organizational collaboration.
• Business case management experience.
• Contract oversight and reporting skills.