At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage IT vendor performance and ensure seamless service delivery.
- Company: BMI Group, a company that empowers and inspires growth.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development, and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Join a dynamic team focused on innovation and continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Be the bridge between tech teams and vendors, driving impactful service improvements.
- Qualifications: 3-5 years in IT with vendor management experience; ITIL certification preferred.
The predicted salary is between 45000 - 55000 £ per year.
Empower, Connect, Evolve, and Inspire – these are the values that drive us and make BMI a company where you can thrive and grow. The Operational IT Vendor Manager is responsible for ensuring the day‑to‑day value, compliance, and performance of our third‑party IT vendors and service providers. This role acts as the primary liaison between internal IT teams (e.g., Service Desk, Infrastructure, Application Support) and external partners, focusing on service delivery reliability, adherence to Service Level Agreements (SLAs), and the swift resolution of operational issues to maintain seamless IT services.
Key Operational Responsibilities
- Performance and Service Delivery Management: SLA & KPI Tracking – Establish, monitor, and report daily and weekly on vendor performance against contractual SLAs and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) (e.g., uptime, response time, resolution rates).
- Operational Governance – Plan and lead regular operational review meetings with key vendors, including weekly service review meetings and monthly performance deep dives.
- Issue Resolution & Escalation – Act as the first point of escalation for all critical vendor‑related operational issues and service disruptions, coordinating internal and external teams to drive timely resolution and root cause analysis (RCA).
- Vendor Scorecarding – Maintain detailed, data‑driven vendor performance scorecards and dashboards, proactively identifying trends and service gaps that require immediate attention.
Contract Compliance and Administration
- Contract Adherence – Ensure vendors comply with all operational terms and conditions outlined in executed contracts, Statement of Work (SOWs), and regulatory requirements (e.g., security, data protection).
- Invoice and Usage Validation – Review, validate, and process vendor invoices against agreed‑upon contract pricing, usage metrics, and license entitlements, working closely with the Finance team to manage spend accuracy.
- Documentation Management – Maintain an accurate and centralized repository of all operational vendor contracts, contact lists, performance reports, and compliance documentation.
- Change Management Oversight – Work with the IT Change Management team to monitor vendor‑driven changes to ensure they are properly scheduled, communicated, and pose minimal risk to the production environment.
Relationship and Value Management
- Communication Bridge – Serve as the hands‑on, daily point of contact for vendor managers and internal business owners, translating technical performance data into clear business insights.
- Continuous Improvement – Identify, champion, and track vendor‑led continuous service improvement (CSI) initiatives aimed at enhancing efficiency, quality, and cost‑effectiveness of delivered services.
- Risk Mitigation – Monitor vendor operational risk exposure (e.g., single point of failure, business continuity planning) and ensure all required audit and due diligence materials are up‑to‑date.
Required Skills and Qualifications
- Experience – Minimum of 3‑5 years of direct experience in an IT role with a focus on vendor management, Service Delivery Management, or IT Operations.
- Technical Knowledge – Strong working knowledge of IT services, infrastructure (Cloud/SaaS, Networks, End‑User Computing), and common IT delivery models.
- Operational Proficiency – Demonstrated experience setting up and managing performance metrics (SLAs, KPIs) and leading formal service review meetings.
- Certification – ITIL Foundation certification (or equivalent) is highly desirable; deep understanding of IT Service Management processes (Incident, Problem, Change).
- Soft Skills – Exceptional communication, diplomatic negotiation, and conflict resolution skills to manage challenging operational discussions effectively.
Key Competencies
- Service Level Management – Expert ability to interpret, enforce, and report on Service Level Agreements (SLAs), ensuring service credits are accurately claimed when performance targets are missed.
- Operational Risk & Continuity – Proven capability to assess vendor risks that threaten daily service continuity (e.g., single points of failure, disaster recovery readiness) and ensure proper mitigation plans are in place.
- Data Analysis & Reporting – Strong analytical skills to gather raw performance data, translate it into actionable KPI dashboards, and identify trends indicating underlying service stability issues.
- Conflict Resolution & Escalation – Diplomatic yet firm approach to manage and resolve vendor disputes quickly and effectively, ensuring service restoration and holding vendors accountable to contractual obligations.
- IT Service Management (ITSM) – Deep practical understanding of ITIL principles (Incident, Problem, and Change Management) as they relate to and are executed by third‑party vendors.
Stakeholder Communication Ability to articulate complex vendor performance issues and their business impact to both technical teams and non‑technical senior leadership clearly and concisely.
A career with BMI Group is more than just a job. We help you to find work you enjoy, to use your skills, and support you to become the best you can be. Working together we can achieve great things. Come and join us.
IT Operational Vendor Manager in Reading employer: BMI Group
BMI Group is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment in Milton Keynes where innovation and collaboration thrive. Employees benefit from comprehensive training programmes, opportunities for professional growth, and a supportive culture that values teamwork and excellence in service delivery. With a focus on employee well-being and development, BMI Group stands out as a rewarding place to build a meaningful career in the roofing and insulation industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land IT Operational Vendor Manager in Reading
✨Join the IT Consultancy Buzz
Get involved in local or virtual IT consultancy meetups and forums. This is where we can rub shoulders with industry professionals, get insights into what BMI Group values, and even spot unadvertised opportunities. Don't miss out on these chances to make a name for ourselves in the IT world!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Create a personal project or case study relevant to the challenges BMI Group might face. Use platforms like GitHub or Medium to share your findings. This not only demonstrates our consulting skills but shows a proactive attitude, making us stand out from the crowd when applying for that full-time gig.
✨Leverage LinkedIn for Connections
Follow and engage with the relevant thought leaders and influencers in IT consultancy on LinkedIn. Share insightful content and join discussions to gain visibility. A well-placed comment or shared article could catch the attention of someone at BMI Group!
✨Direct Apply to BMI Group
Let's not forget to apply directly through the BMI Group website! Tailor your application to showcase our understanding of their consulting style and how we can contribute to their projects. A personalised approach can make a huge difference in landing that full-time position!
We think you need these skills to ace IT Operational Vendor Manager in Reading
Some tips for your application 🫡
Showcase Your Problem-Solving Skills:In IT consulting, it's all about problem-solving, so make sure your CV highlights your analytical skills and any relevant projects you've tackled. Mention specific technologies or methodologies you've used to resolve issues or improve processes; this shows you can think critically and deliver results, which is vital for us at BMI Group.
Highlight Relevant Certifications:Certifications like ITIL, PMP, or even specific tech stack qualifications can really make you stand out. Make sure to include these in your CV, as they not only demonstrate your expertise but also your commitment to staying current in the field. We love seeing candidates who are proactive about their professional development!
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to connect personally with us at BMI Group. Share stories about your experiences in IT consulting, and how they shaped your desire to join our team. Mention why you’re excited about this particular role, and how you see yourself contributing to our projects.
Keep It Clear and Concise:We're all busy, so make sure your application is easy to read. Use bullet points for key achievements, and don’t overload us with jargon. A clean, professional layout goes a long way. Remember, the clearer your application, the more likely we are to invite you in for an interview!
How to prepare for a job interview at BMI Group
✨Brush Up on Your Technical Skills
For an IT consulting role, be ready to demonstrate your technical prowess. You might face questions on systems integration, cloud technologies, or even troubleshooting specific software. If you have experience with tools like AWS, Azure, or even specific programming languages, make sure you can talk about them fluently.
✨Showcase Your Problem-Solving Approach
IT consulting is all about solving problems for clients. Think about how you can illustrate your approach to a past challenge using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). It's a great way to show how you tackle complex issues and come up with effective solutions.
✨Know the Business Impact of IT Solutions
When discussing your experiences, focus not just on the tech solutions you implemented, but also on their business impact. Employers want to see that you can connect IT with organisational goals. Prep examples that highlight how your tech contributions improved efficiency or reduced costs for past clients or projects.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
Since IT consulting often involves teamwork and client interactions, expect behavioural questions that assess your interpersonal skills. Be prepared with examples that demonstrate your adaptability, communication skills, and how you handle client feedback. Before the interview, think of situations where you worked closely with clients to create effective IT strategies or changes.
