CYS - EDGEWING - Delivery Manager - Vendor Management

Leonardo; Roma; On-site; EUR 84,000 - 108,000; Full time

Job summary

Leonardo, a global aerospace and defence group, seeks a Delivery Manager - Vendor Management for GCAP HQ in Reading, UK. You will lead end-to-end vendor delivery, govern contracts, monitor SLAs, and optimize value while aligning with programme objectives and enterprise standards.

You will act as the primary interface between vendors and internal teams, driving improvements, managing risks, and ensuring timely, compliant delivery of vendor-provided solutions within the GCAP ecosystem.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years in vendor management or delivery management within complex, regulated environments.

Responsibilities

• Oversee vendor-provided products and services delivery within scope and timelines.
• Ensure contracts meet obligations, roadmaps, schedules, and quality standards.
• Drive cost optimization while complying with enterprise standards.
• Coordinate toolset selection and technology evaluations with stakeholders.
• Manage upgrades, enhancements, and decommissioning of vendor solutions.
• Monitor vendor performance metrics and reporting.

Skills

Vendor management

Delivery management

Stakeholder engagement

Job description

Job Description:

Leonardo is a global industrial group, among the main global players in Aerospace, Defence and Security that realises multi-domain technological capabilities in Helicopters, Aircraft, Aerostructures, Electronics, Cyber Security and Space. With over 60,000 employees worldwide, the company has a solid industrial presence in Italy, the UK, Poland and the US. It also operates in 150 countries through subsidiaries, joint ventures and investments. A key player in major international strategic programmes, it is a technological and industrial partner of governments, defence administrations, institutions and companies.

Within the GCAP Joint Venture, in the GCAP Technical Leadership UO, we are looking for a Delivery Manager - Vendor Management for GCAP HQ in Reading (UK).

The Product Delivery Manager - Vendor Management is accountable for the successful delivery of vendor-provided products and services that enable digital engineering capabilities. The role ensures that all vendor deliverables meet contractual obligations, agreed roadmaps, schedules, and quality standards, driving performance and compliance throughout the delivery lifecycle.

This position focuses on end-to-end delivery execution , including contract governance, SLA monitoring, and vendor performance management through structured rating and reporting mechanisms. The Manager is responsible for cost optimization and ensuring value for money, while maintaining alignment with programme objectives and enterprise standards.

The role also supports toolset selection and technology evaluations in collaboration with stakeholders, ensuring vendor solutions integrate seamlessly into the overall architecture. By enforcing vendor management guidelines and maintaining strong relationships, the Delivery Manager ensures timely, compliant, and high-quality delivery from external partners, mitigating risks and enabling operational excellence across the supply chain.

Key Capability Accountabilities and Objectives

Objectives

Product Delivery & Vendor Lifecycle Management

• Accountable for the delivery and continuous improvement of vendor-provided products and services within the agreed scope and timelines
• Ensure vendors meet contractual obligations, roadmaps, schedules, and quality standards throughout the delivery lifecycle
• Drive cost optimization and value for money while maintaining compliance with enterprise standards and programme objectives
• Support toolset selection and technology evaluations in collaboration with stakeholders to ensure seamless integration into the architecture
• Manage upgrades, enhancements, and decommissioning activities across vendor-delivered solutions
• Monitor and enforce adherence to vendor management guidelines and delivery governance

Stakeholder & Business Engagement

• Act as the primary interface between vendors and internal stakeholders, ensuring clear communication of delivery expectations, risks, and progress
• Capture, challenge, and consolidate vendor-related requirements to avoid duplication and fragmentation
• Support business change initiatives related to vendor-delivered solutions, including defining and producing training and informational materials
• Collaborate with other Delivery Managers and Product Owners to ensure alignment of vendor activities with programme priorities

Governance, Standards & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with enterprise vendor management standards, contractual terms, and regulatory requirements
• Liase with company's procurement for effective vendor engagement and management
• Define and enforce vendor performance metrics, SLA adherence, and structured Vendor Rating mechanisms
• Support audit and quality assurance activities related to vendor-delivered products and services
• Maintain transparency and traceability of vendor commitments and delivery status

Delivery Execution & Operational Excellence

• Coordinate delivery activities across vendors and internal teams, ensuring clear ownership and accountability
• Monitor vendor performance, risks, dependencies, and escalates issues proactively to maintain delivery integrity
• Drive resolution of delivery-related incidents and implement continuous improvement measures
• Balance short-term delivery pressures with long-term vendor strategy and cost optimization objectives

Vendor & Technology Management

• Manage relationships with key vendors and system integrators to ensure effective collaboration and delivery performance
• Support contract management, licence optimisation, and vendor performance reviews
• Contribute to technology evaluations, proofs of concept, and strategic tool selection
• Support contract negotiation with Vendors, with particular focus on framework agreements for strategic Vendors
• Drive innovation and adoption of best practices in vendor management

Essential Qualifications:

• Previous experience (at least 5 years) in vendor management or delivery management within complex, regulated environments (e.g.,