At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage supplier relationships and negotiate commercial terms to boost business performance.
- Company: Join Joskos, a leading ICT services provider for schools and education organisations.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a collaborative work environment.
- Other info: Dynamic role with opportunities for growth and collaboration across teams.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the education sector while building valuable supplier partnerships.
- Qualifications: Experience in vendor management and strong negotiation skills required.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 50000 £ per year.
About Joskos
Joskos is a specialist ICT services provider supporting schools, Multi-Academy Trusts and education organisations with managed services, cloud solutions, infrastructure, cyber security, connectivity, software and devices. As the business grows, strong supplier partnerships are essential to improving commercial performance, supporting sales growth and delivering excellent customer outcomes.
Role Purpose
The Vendor Manager is responsible for managing and strengthening relationships with suppliers, distributors and technology partners to maximize commercial value for Joskos. This role focuses on:
- Building strategic supplier partnerships
- Negotiating pricing, rebates and commercial incentives
- Securing Marketing Development Funds (MDF)
- Supporting sales and bid activity
- Improving procurement governance and supplier performance
The role works closely with Finance, Sales, Procurement and Service teams to ensure supplier relationships contribute directly to margin improvement, operational efficiency and customer success.
Key Responsibilities
- Vendor & Supplier Management
- Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers, distributors and vendors
- Act as the main commercial contact for key supplier accounts
- Develop supplier engagement plans and strategic partnerships
- Attend vendor events, partner meetings and networking sessions
- Maintain awareness of vendor programmes, accreditations and incentives
- Identify opportunities for improved commercial support, promotions and early access to products
- Rebates, MDF & Commercial Negotiation
- Negotiate rebates, discounts, pricing support and supplier incentives
- Secure and manage Marketing Development Funds (MDF)
- Work with Sales and Marketing to turn MDF into measurable campaigns and opportunities
- Monitor rebate claims, supplier funding and commercial performance
- Improve supplier terms including pricing, credit and delivery arrangements
- Support deal-based negotiations to improve competitiveness and margin
- Sales & Bid Support
- Support sales teams with supplier engagement and pricing escalation
- Coordinate supplier involvement in customer meetings and events
- Assist bids and tenders by securing supplier pricing, accreditations and letters of support
- Promote supplier-backed opportunities and campaigns
- Help position Joskos as a value-added technology partner rather than a transactional reseller
- Procurement Oversight
- Oversee procurement operations and just-in-time ordering processes
- Ensure purchase orders are accurate and compliant with approval processes
- Monitor supplier delivery performance and resolve escalations
- Support procurement governance, operational efficiency and financial control
- Work with the procurement support team to maintain accurate supplier and purchasing records
- Supplier Performance Management
- Introduce supplier performance monitoring and KPI reporting
- Conduct regular supplier review meetings
- Manage supplier risks, performance issues and corrective actions
- Maintain preferred supplier lists and recommend supplier rationalization where beneficial
- Provide updates to senior management on supplier performance and commercial opportunities
- Market & Vendor Strategy
- Monitor trends across education technology, cloud, cyber security and managed services
- Identify new vendors, technologies and partner opportunities
- Keep stakeholders informed of supplier and licensing changes
- Support strategic decisions around vendor prioritization and supplier partnerships
- Reporting & Commercial Insight
- Track rebates, MDF, supplier incentives and procurement performance
- Report on supplier spend, margin improvement and commercial benefits
- Work with Finance to reconcile supplier credits and rebates
- Provide insights into supplier performance, procurement risks and operational bottlenecks
Key Measures of Success
Success in the role will be measured through:
- Strong supplier relationships and engagement
- Increased rebates and MDF secured
- Margin improvement and better commercial terms
- Supplier-backed sales opportunities
- Procurement accuracy and governance
- Improved supplier performance and delivery reliability
- Accurate reporting and reduced supplier risk
Essential Experience
- Experience in vendor management, procurement, supplier management or commercial operations
- Understanding of the IT reseller, managed services or education technology sector
- Experience negotiating pricing, rebates and commercial terms
- Strong relationship-building and communication skills
- Commercial awareness including margin and supplier profitability
- Experience supporting sales teams and bid activity
- Strong organization and attention to detail
Desirable Experience
- Experience within education ICT or public-sector technology environments
- Knowledge of vendor programmes, MDF and rebate structures
- Familiarity with platforms such as Zoho, Autotask, QuoteWerks or Sage
- Understanding of public-sector frameworks
- CIPS qualification or equivalent commercial experience
Skills & Behaviours
The successful candidate will be:
- Commercially minded and confident negotiating with suppliers
- Relationship-focused while remaining results-driven
- Organized, proactive and detail-oriented
- Comfortable working across Sales, Finance, Procurement and Delivery teams
- Professional in representing the business externally
- Able to turn supplier relationships into measurable business value
Vendor Manager in Slough employer: Joskos Solutions
At Joskos, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture. As a Vendor Manager, you will have the opportunity to build strategic partnerships within the education sector, while benefiting from our commitment to employee growth through continuous training and development. Located in a vibrant area, we offer competitive remuneration, flexible working arrangements, and a supportive environment that values your contributions and encourages professional advancement.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Vendor Manager in Slough
✨Get Savvy with Industry Perks
Join procurement and purchasing forums or groups where pros hang out, like CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply). They'll share the inside scoop on job openings that might not show up on traditional job boards!
✨Show Off Your Skills
Consider creating a portfolio that outlines your achievements in procurement, like cost-saving initiatives or supplier management strategies. Having tangible evidence of your skills can really set you apart when applying to companies like Joskos Solutions.
✨Tap into Your Network
Leverage LinkedIn to connect with professionals in procurement—follow relevant hashtags, join groups, and engage in discussions. This is a great way to get noticed by potential employers before they even post a job!
✨Keep Your Eyes on Job Boards
With full-time positions, timing can be everything. Set alerts on job boards specifically for procurement roles. Don't wait for a job posting to close; apply through our website as soon as you see a fit—being proactive can give you the edge!
We think you need these skills to ace Vendor Manager in Slough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Procurement Know-How:When you're crafting your CV, make sure to highlight any procurement-specific skills you've got. Talk about your experience with supplier negotiations, cost analysis, or inventory management. If you’ve used software like SAP or Oracle, don’t forget to mention that too – it shows you know your way around the tech side of things!
Quantify Your Achievements:In procurement, numbers matter. Use your CV and cover letter to showcase any quantifiable achievements you've made in reducing costs or improving efficiencies. For example, mentioning that you helped save 20% on purchasing costs last year is way more impressive than just saying you managed the budget!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Joskos Solutions:Your cover letter should read like you’re chatting directly to Joskos Solutions. Research the company’s procurement strategy, mention how your skills align with their goals, and share your enthusiasm for contributing to their success. This personal touch can really set you apart from the crowd!
Professional Certs Can Go a Long Way:If you've got any procurement-related certifications, such as CIPS or APICS, make sure they're front and centre on your CV. These qualifications show you're serious about your career in procurement and are committed to continuous learning. It’s a great way to signal your expertise and dedication to potential employers like Joskos Solutions.
How to prepare for a job interview at Joskos Solutions
✨Show Off Your Negotiation Skills
In procurement, strong negotiation skills are key. Be ready to share examples of past negotiations where you've successfully saved costs or improved supplier terms. We want to hear how you approached those situations and the strategies you used to achieve positive outcomes!
✨Know Your Tools
Make sure you’re familiar with procurement software and tools commonly used in the industry, such as SAP Ariba or Coupa. Come prepared to discuss any experiences you've had with these tools or similar platforms, as we need someone who can hit the ground running at Joskos Solutions!
✨Understand Market Trends
As a procurement professional, being aware of market trends can set you apart. Brush up on recent developments in supply chain management or procurement best practices and think about how they could impact your role at Joskos Solutions. Bringing a current perspective will show your enthusiasm for the industry.
✨Demonstrate Your Team Player Attitude
A full-time position means you'll be working closely with various teams. Be prepared to discuss how you collaborate with others, manage conflicts, and build relationships with stakeholders. Sharing anecdotes about past teamwork experiences will highlight your ability to fit into Joskos Solutions's culture.
