At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage supplier contracts and ensure top-notch vendor performance in a dynamic tech environment.
- Company: Join Conscia, a leading cybersecurity and IT solutions provider with a vibrant culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy a hybrid work model, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Be part of a supportive team that values collaboration and continuous learning.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by optimising supplier relationships and enhancing operational efficiency.
- Qualifications: Proven experience in supplier contract management and strong negotiation skills required.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Job Type: Permanent
Hours of Work: Full-time
Location: Hybrid, with access to the Conscia office in Portchester
Department: Finance
Reporting to: CFO
About Conscia
Conscia is a leading provider of cybersecurity, networking, hybrid cloud, and observability solutions for mission-critical IT infrastructure in large European organisations. Conscia’s experts design, implement, and run innovative, customised IT solutions across cybersecurity, networking, hybrid cloud, and observability, supporting our customers throughout their technology lifecycles. Founded in 2003, Conscia is owned by private equity investor Nordic Capital. With around 1,500 employees, Conscia serves large organisations in finance, healthcare, manufacturing, utilities, retail, and the public sector from offices in Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Ireland, Norway, Slovenia, Sweden, the Netherlands, and the UK.
People and Culture
We believe our company culture is part of what makes us special: it’s part of what people love about working here. We’re dedicated to nurturing this positive and inclusive culture, so that people are empowered to bring their whole selves to work each day. Our goal is to foster an environment where people feel valued, heard, and supported, and where they can thrive and succeed. This is reflected in our company values: Inspire Trust, Commit to Collaborate, Deliver on Promise, Learn for Life and Embrace Sustainable Change.
The Role – What YOU will be doing at Conscia
The Supplier Contracts Manager is a newly established role reporting to the CFO responsible for creating and operating a central supplier governance capability across Conscia UK. The postholder will ensure supplier selection, contracting, onboarding, performance management and lifecycle governance for technology vendors (hardware and software such as Microsoft and Cisco), professional services and support partners, telecommunications providers (Claranet, Vodafone, PXE), facilities and general suppliers. The role will create and maintain the contract repository, define preferred supplier coverage, run performance reviews, manage supplier issues and embed industry best practice — operating independently without direct reports and partnering closely with the CTO team to ensure suppliers are technically acceptable and fully integrated into Conscia’s Technical Supplier Onboarding Process.
Requirements
- Essential
- Proven experience owning supplier contract management and governance in an IT services or technology environment.
- Hands on experience with technology vendors, telecom providers and third party professional services contracting.
- Strong commercial acumen with demonstrable experience protecting margin and negotiating supplier terms.
- Experience building and operating supplier performance frameworks and running remediation plans.
- Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills across Sales, Finance, Legal, Service Delivery, IT and the CTO team.
- Highly organised, detail oriented and able to translate contract terms into operational and technical controls.
- Nice to have
- Familiarity with ITIL, third party risk frameworks and supplier security assessments.
- Experience in private equity backed or high growth service businesses.
Success Measures:
- Central contract database established and maintained with 100 percent of critical supplier contracts recorded and renewal alerts active.
- Preferred supplier coverage in place for all key categories and demonstrable reduction in ad hoc supplier usage.
- Supplier performance improvement measured by uplift in SLA compliance, reduced incidents and fewer service credits.
- Margin protection evidenced by reduction in unmanaged scope and margin leakage attributable to supplier contracts.
- Onboarding control with gating controls preventing premature supplier use and consistent, auditable onboarding evidence.
- Governance cadence with scheduled supplier reviews and QBRs completed on time and documented remediation where required.
- Executive confidence with CFO, CTO and Exec Team reporting clear visibility and confidence in supplier risk posture and commercial viability.
Supplier Contracts Manager in Portsmouth employer: Conscia
Conscia is an exceptional employer that prioritises a positive and inclusive work culture, empowering employees to thrive in their roles. With a commitment to professional growth and development, Conscia offers unique opportunities for career advancement within the dynamic fields of cybersecurity and IT solutions. Located in Portchester, employees benefit from a hybrid working model, allowing for flexibility while being part of a collaborative team dedicated to delivering innovative technology solutions.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Supplier Contracts Manager in Portsmouth
✨Get Involved in the Cybersecurity Community
Diving into the cybersecurity community is key for landing that full-time gig. Join forums like Reddit's r/cybersecurity or attend local meetups to connect with industry veterans and other job seekers. Networking is everything in this field—don’t just be a passive lurker!
✨Show Off Your Skills with Capture the Flag Competitions
Participate in Capture the Flag (CTF) competitions; these are not just a fun way to boost your skills but also a chance to showcase your talent to potential employers. Many companies, including Conscia, love seeing candidates who actively engage in these challenges.
✨Tailor Your Online Presence
Make sure your LinkedIn and any professional profiles reflect your cybersecurity expertise. Share your projects, whether they’re personal or from a previous role, to catch the eye of hiring managers. This is how they’ll find your passion and commitment to the field!
✨Apply Directly Through Conscia
Don’t forget to head straight to our website and check out any openings for cybersecurity roles at Conscia. Applying directly can sometimes give you an edge, especially if you can mention that you've been following our work or engaging in the community.
We think you need these skills to ace Supplier Contracts Manager in Portsmouth
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show off your technical skills:In cybersecurity, it's crucial to highlight your technical prowess. Make sure your CV showcases specific skills like network security, penetration testing, or threat analysis. If you have relevant certifications (like CEH or CISSP), pop those on the front page to grab attention!
Tailor your portfolio for the role:Even for a full-time role, a portfolio can set you apart. If you've worked on any cybersecurity projects—be it CTF challenges, security assessments, or research papers—include these in your application. This demonstrates not just your skills, but also your hands-on experience!
Use real-world examples:When writing your cover letter, don’t just stick to your qualifications. Share real-world examples of how you’ve tackled security issues or vulnerabilities. This gives the hiring team at Conscia insight into your practical problem-solving abilities and makes your application memorable.
Demonstrate your passion for cybersecurity:Cybersecurity is an ever-evolving field, so show us that you’re always learning! Mention any recent courses, webinars, or industry events you’ve attended. This not only exhibits your enthusiasm but also signals to Conscia that you’re committed to staying ahead in the game.
How to prepare for a job interview at Conscia
✨Sharpen Your Technical Skills
For a role in cybersecurity, it’s essential to be up-to-date with the latest tools and techniques. Brush up on your knowledge of firewalls, intrusion detection systems, and vulnerability assessment tools. Be ready to discuss specific scenarios where you’ve applied these skills, as hands-on experience can really set us apart in interviews.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect the interviewers at Conscia to throw in some hypothetical situations to see how you’d handle them. Think about common security breaches or incidents and be prepared to explain how you would respond. This not only shows your problem-solving skills but also your understanding of real-world cybersecurity challenges.
✨Highlight Your Certifications
Certifications like CompTIA Security+, CISSP, or CEH can give you a significant edge in a full-time role in cybersecurity. Make sure to mention these during your interview and be prepared to discuss what you learned through those certifications and how they relate to the position at Conscia.
✨Show Your Passion for Cybersecurity
Since you’re going for a full-time gig, showing genuine enthusiasm for the field can make all the difference. Share any personal projects, blogs, or communities you’re part of that relate to cybersecurity. This not only showcases your passion but also your commitment to staying engaged in this ever-evolving field.
