Vendor Manager

The Methodist Church in Britain; Glasgow; Hybrid; GBP 52,000 - 78,000; Full time

Job summary

SEPA is seeking a permanent, full-time Senior Contract Manager to lead the Digital & IT contract and supplier portfolio. You will set commercial governance, manage supplier performance, and handle high-risk escalations across Procurement, Finance, Digital and IT.

The role covers renewals, exits and transitions, with a strong emphasis on policy development, reporting, spend monitoring and relationship management with internal stakeholders and key suppliers.

Qualifications

• Educated to SCQF level 11 (postgraduate or masters level), or equivalent leadership experience.
• Experience in contract and supplier management, including renewals and risk.

Responsibilities

• Lead management of the Digital & IT contract and supplier portfolio with governance and performance oversight.
• Advise on high-risk contract issues and escalations across multiple functions.
• Lead renewal, exit and supplier transition plans and performance reporting.

Skills

Commercial governance

Supplier management

Risk management

Contract management

Stakeholder management

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Education

SCQF level 11 or equivalent

Job description

This permanent, full-time post sits within SEPA’s Procurement function and centres on its Digital & IT contract and supplier portfolio. The holder sets commercial governance and supplier performance management, handles high-risk escalations, and runs contract renewals, extensions and supplier exits. The role is distinct for its leadership of relationships across Procurement, Finance, Digital and IT, and needs specialist contract and analytical skills. Successful applicants must pass BPSS pre-employment checks, including a level one Disclosure Scotland check.

What the job involves

• Lead management of SEPA's Digital & IT contract and supplier portfolio, including commercial governance, supplier performance and accountability for delivery
• Advise procurement, project teams and business stakeholders on high-risk contract and supplier issues, including escalations
• Lead supplier risk resilience and response strategies
• Develop and embed contract and supplier management policy, processes, tools and reporting
• Monitor contract costs, invoice approvals and overall spend to prevent budget overruns
• Develop and lead internal and external relationships across Procurement, Finance, Digital and IT, service owners and strategic suppliers
• Run exit and renewal plans, tracking milestones and expiry dates to negotiate renewals, extensions, or supplier transition and offboarding

Qualifications

• Educated to SCQF level 11 (postgraduate or masters level), or qualified by comparable leadership and specialist experience

Experience

• Demonstrable experience in contract and supplier management, including supplier performance, commercial governance, risk management, contract review, change control, renewals, disputes and continuous improvement

Skills & knowledge

• Strong Digital & IT commercial and contract management knowledge
• Ability to interpret contracts, manage risk, support negotiations and secure value for money
• Proven ability to build and maintain effective relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders, including Information Security, Data Protection and service owners
• Strong analytical and communication skills
• Experience using supplier performance, spend, risk and service data to produce reports, recommendations and improvement plans

Checks & eligibility

• BPSS pre-employment checks
• Level one Disclosure Scotland check

What’s offered

• Hybrid and flexible working
• Up to 35 days annual leave plus 7 public holidays a year (pro rata)
• Paid time off for wellbeing and volunteering in the community
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS)
• Family friendly policies
• Training and development
• 24/7 access to an online employee discount platform
• Credit union facilities and Cycle to Work Scheme