Vendor Manager

As a Vendor Manager, you’ll be a key player within our Vendor Alliances team – the vital link between Wavenet and our strategic vendors. Your mission? Drive vendor relationships, unlock growth opportunities, and elevate Wavenet’s standing in the partner ecosystem. You’ll collaborate with both internal stakeholders and external vendor partners to execute business plans, manage vendor programs, secure funding, and ensure we’re aligned with the latest industry developments. If you’re motivated by commercial success, strong partnerships, and want to make a tangible impact in a dynamic, fast-paced environment, this is the role for you.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Own and manage Wavenet’s commercial and contractual vendor relationships.
• Lead regular vendor engagements including QBRs, strategic planning sessions, and pipeline reviews.
• Create and deliver joint business plans aligned with KPIs, revenue targets, and milestones.
• Identify and maximise opportunities through vendor programs and promotions.
• Drive performance monitoring and reporting to continuously improve outcomes.
• Secure and manage vendor funding, including MDFs and rebates, ensuring timely and compliant claims.
• Collaborate with marketing and L&D to leverage vendor certifications, training funds, and promotional support.
• Advise Wavenet leadership on vendor strategies, opportunities, and risks.
• Represent Wavenet with credibility and authority – from C-level discussions to day-to-day operations.
• Support product selection processes and vendor audits.
• Maintain partner status and certifications, ensuring alignment with our strategic goals.

Qualifications

We’re looking for a commercially savvy, relationship-driven professional who thrives in a fast-paced, high-energy environment and has a passion for building strong, strategic vendor partnerships. You’ll be someone who understands both the bigger picture and the finer details – from aligning joint business plans to managing funding claims and rebate programs. Ideally, you’ll bring:

• Experience in managing vendor relationships within the IT and telecoms industry, with a solid understanding of how to navigate complex partner ecosystems and drive commercial outcomes.
• A proven track record of relationship building – both within your own organisation and externally with vendors, from operational teams up to C-level stakeholders.
• Strong commercial awareness and the ability to spot opportunities, negotiate effectively, and influence decision-making in line with business goals.
• Working knowledge of vendor funding models, including how Marketing Development Funds (MDF) are allocated and claimed, and how rebate programs are structured and measured.
• Experience in managing vendor programs, ensuring compliance, performance tracking, and optimisation to maximise value for the business.
• An analytical mindset with the ability to interpret data, measure success against KPIs, and turn insights into clear, actionable plans.
• Confidence in leading cross-functional initiatives, working collaboratively across departments such as Product, Marketing, Finance, and Sales to align on strategy and execute efficiently.
• Experience with vendor audits, including preparation, planning, and managing the process to ensure a smooth and successful outcome.
• A good level of market awareness within the IT services and telecoms sectors, staying informed about vendor strategies, trends, and emerging opportunities.

Additional Information

At Wavenet, we offer more than just a job – we provide an exceptional environment and a wide range of benefits to support your success from day one. With us, you’ll enjoy a generous starting annual leave allowance, private medical coverage, discounted health plans, an eye care scheme, and comprehensive health and wellbeing programs, all backed by a dedicated in-house Wellbeing Team. We believe in a strong work-life balance, rewarding your commitment with an additional day of annual leave each year, reaching up to 28 days.

Here’s a closer look at what we offer:

• Hybrid Working: A flexible hybrid model, typically 3–4 days per week in one of our offices, with the option to work from home where appropriate.
• Annual Leave: Begin your journey with 25 days of leave, increasing by one day per year up to 28 days – our way of saying thank you for your dedication.
• Health & Wellbeing: Your wellbeing is a priority. Enjoy private medical coverage, discounted health plans, virtual GP access, an eye care scheme, and a comprehensive employee assistance programme, all supported by our internal Wellbeing Team.

Ready to join the UK’s largest managed service provider? Apply today or contact our friendly Talent Acquisition Team for more information.