Vendor Manager

Outcomes First Group
Job description

We are really proud to say that in 2024,Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place toWork’ for the fifth year running.

We’re on a mission to give our colleagues anamazing work/life balance! We are trailing the four day workingweek, get paid 100% for 80%!

Jobtitle: VendorManager

Location: Bolton

Salary: upto £50,000

Hours: 9-5Monday-Friday

UK applicantsonly. This role does not offersponsorship.

JOB PURPOSE:

The Vendor Manager isresponsible for managing relationships with external IT suppliersand vendors to ensure the delivery of high-quality products andservices that align with the organisation’s strategic goals. Thisrole involves overseeing the procurement process, negotiatingcontracts, and monitoring supplier performance to ensure compliancewith service level agreements (SLAs) and quality standards. The ITSupplier Manager will collaborate closely with internalstakeholders to identify needs, facilitate effective communication,and drive continuous improvement in supplier performance. Byfostering strong partnerships with suppliers and ensuring that ITservices meet operational requirements, the IT Supplier Managerwill contribute to the overall efficiency and effectiveness of theorganisation’s IT operations.

KEYACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with ITsuppliers, ensuring effective communication and collaboration tomeet organisational needs.
• Negotiate contractsand service level agreements (SLAs) with suppliers to ensurefavourable terms and conditions, and monitor compliance withcontractual obligations.
• Track and evaluatesupplier performance against established metrics and SLAs,addressing any issues or non-compliance in a timelymanner.
• Manage the end-to-end procurementprocess for IT products and services, including needs assessment,supplier selection, and purchase order management.
• Identify and mitigate risks associated with supplierrelationships and procurement processes, ensuring that contingencyplans are in place.
• Monitor and control ITsupplier-related expenditures, identifying opportunities for costsavings and efficiency improvements.
• Workclosely with internal teams to understand their IT needs, ensuringthat supplier offerings align with businessrequirements.
• Conduct market research toidentify potential suppliers and evaluate their capabilities,ensuring alignment with the organisation’s strategicobjectives.
• Drive initiatives for continuousimprovement in supplier performance and procurement processes,seeking opportunities to enhance service delivery andefficiency.
• Prepare regular reports onsupplier performance, procurement activities, and market trends,providing insights to inform decision-making at the executivelevel.

EXPERIENCE& QUALIFICATIONS:

EssentialExperience and Qualifications:

Experience:

• Minimum of 3-5 years of experience insupplier/vendor management, procurement, or contract managementwithin the IT sector.
• Proven track record ofmanaging vendor relationships and negotiating contracts.

TechnicalSkills:

• Strongunderstanding of IT procurement processes and supplier performancemetrics.
• Familiarity with IT products andservices, including hardware, software, and cloudsolutions.

AnalyticalSkills:

• Excellentanalytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to assesssupplier performance and identify areas for improvement.

CommunicationSkills:

• Strong verbaland written communication skills, with the ability to effectivelyengage with internal stakeholders and externalsuppliers.

OrganisationalSkills:

• Strongorganisational and time management skills, with the ability tomanage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.

SoftSkills:

• Strongnegotiation skills and the ability to influence stakeholders atvarious levels of the organisation.
• Ability towork collaboratively in a team-oriented environment while alsobeing self-motivated.

Preferred Experience andQualifications:

Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration,Information Technology, Supply Chain Management, or a relatedfield.
• Master’s degree in BusinessAdministration, Information Technology, or a relatedfield.
• Relevant certifications such asCertified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP), Certified PurchasingManager (CPM), or similar.

Experience:

• Experience in a leadership or managerial rolewithin supplier management or procurement.
• Knowledge of procurement software and tools for managingsupplier relationships and contracts.

Industry Knowledge:

• Experience in the education sector ororganisations focused on social care or specialeducation.
• Technical Skills:
• Familiarity with financial analysis related toprocurement and supplier management, including budgeting and costcontrol.

QUALITIESAND BEHAVIOURS:

• Holdand articulate clear values
• Demonstrateoptimistic personal behaviors, positive relationships and attitudestowards colleagues, and wider internal and externalcontacts
• Lead by example, demonstratingintegrity, creativity, resilience and clarity
• Highly motivated and resilient

ADDITIONALREQUIREMENTS:

• Act as an ambassador for Outcomes First Group
• At all times promote and comply with organisationscommitment to safeguarding, equal opportunities and health andsafety

Please note the rolespecification is subject to change as part of the dynamic nature ofthe business.

Why join Outcomes FirstGroup?

About the Group

Outcomes First Group is the leading provider of specialisteducation in the UK. We exist to give neurodivergent children andyoung people access to a great education that caters to theirspecific needs, abilities and aspirations.

Thereare three brands in our Outcomes First family: Acorn Education,Options Autism and Momenta Connect. Together, we educate, care forand support children, young people, and adults across the UK,empowering them to be happy and make their way in theworld.

We are really proud to say that in 2024,Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place toWork’ for the fifth year running.

OurVisionWe believe that with a great education, everyneurodivergent pupil can thrive and make their way in theworld.

Our MissionEvery day weimprove the lives of our pupils, their families, and localcommunities through a relentless focus on wellbeing andlearning.

Our Promise We are kind toourselves and each other We work together and we make thingshappen. Our Promise sits alongside our Vision and Mission. Itdescribes the sort of people we are and our commitment to how wetreat each other, work together, and behave.

Benefits

Your health andwellbeing are important to us, so you’ll get an exceptional rewardpackage including:

• Life Assurance
• Pension scheme withoptions to increase your contributions
• “YourWellbeing Matters” – access to a wide range of first-class mentalhealth support services and physical health checks
• Family Growth Support – inclusive benefitspackage covering enhanced maternity and paternity leave, along withpaid fertility treatment support.

And a market-leading benefitoffering through our Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista, enables youto choose the package that’s right for you,including:

• A widerange of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits
• 100’s of discount options valid in the UK andabroad
• Cycle to Work Schemes
• Electric Car Purchase Scheme
• Critical illness cover

And that’s notall, we place the outcomes of the pupils and vulnerable youngadults in our services at the heart of everything we do, so you’llwake every day in the knowledge that your role will have asignificant positive impact on the lives ofothers.

We are committed to the safeguarding andpromoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicantswill be subject to social media checks and successful applicants toa fully enhanced DBS.

We’re on a missionto give our colleagues an amazing work/lifebalance!

We are an Equal OpportunitiesEmployer.