At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage supplier relationships and ensure they meet performance expectations.
- Company: Join Sword, a leader in business technology solutions across various sectors.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, personalised career development, and a fantastic benefits package.
- Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace with opportunities for growth.
- Why this job: Shape supplier management and drive improvements in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in IT supplier management and strong communication skills required.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
Sword is a leading provider of business technology solutions within the Energy, Public and Finance Sectors, driving transformational change within our clients. We use proven technology, specialist teams and domain expertise to build solid technical foundations across platforms, data, and business applications. We have a passion for using technology to solve business problems, working in partnership with our clients to help in achieving their goals.
We are looking for an IT Supplier Relationship Manager, this is a newly created position, offering the opportunity to shape and influence how supplier management is delivered within the organisation. We’re looking for someone who is enthusiastic, proactive, and brings a clear understanding of what “good” looks like in supplier relationship management — with the confidence to implement best practice and drive improvements.
Responsibilities:
- Responsible for the governance, oversight, and effective management of third-party suppliers supporting the IT function.
- This role ensures that suppliers deliver against contractual commitments, provide value for money, and align with organisational objectives.
- Maintain and manage the IT supplier portfolio, ensuring accurate supplier records and clear ownership.
- Oversee supplier performance, tracking delivery against SLAs, KPIs, and contractual commitments.
- Lead monthly service review meetings, driving accountability and continuous improvement.
- Establish and facilitate supplier feedback forums to strengthen collaboration and service quality.
- Support effective management of the IT budget, ensuring efficient and value-driven spend.
- Work closely with internal stakeholders to understand requirements and specifications, enabling appropriate sourcing of goods and services.
- Manage and resolve supplier-related issues, ensuring timely escalation and resolution.
- Ensure suppliers deliver in line with agreed contractual obligations and performance expectations.
Requirements:
- Proven experience in supplier/vendor management within an IT environment.
- Strong understanding of IT service delivery and contract management.
- Ability to manage supplier performance and hold vendors accountable.
- Excellent stakeholder engagement and communication skills.
- Commercial awareness with a focus on cost optimisation and value delivery.
Benefits:
At Sword, our core values and culture are based on caring about our people, investing in training and career development, and building inclusive teams where we are all encouraged to contribute to achieve success. We offer comprehensive benefits designed to support your professional development and enhance your overall quality of life. In addition to a Competitive Salary, here's what you can expect as part of our benefits package:
- Personalised Career Development: We create a development plan customised to your goals and aspirations, with a range of learning and development opportunities within a culture that encourages growth.
- Flexible working: Flexible work arrangements to support your work-life balance.
- A Fantastic Benefits Package: This includes generous annual leave allowance, enhanced family friendly benefits, pension scheme, access to private health, well-being, and insurance schemes.
At Sword we are dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace and are proud to be an equal opportunities employer, ensuring that all applicants receive fair and equal consideration for employment, regardless of whether they meet every requirement. If you don’t tick all the boxes but feel you have some of the relevant skills and experience we’re looking for, please do consider applying and highlight your transferable skills and experience. We embrace diversity in all its forms, valuing individuals regardless of age, disability, gender identity or reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity status, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. Your perspective and potential are important to us.
IT Supplier Relationship Manager employer: Sword
Sword is an exceptional employer that prioritises the growth and well-being of its employees, offering a personalised career development plan tailored to individual aspirations. With a strong commitment to flexible working arrangements and a comprehensive benefits package, including generous leave and health schemes, Sword fosters an inclusive culture where every team member is encouraged to contribute to collective success. Located in a dynamic sector, this role as an IT Supplier Relationship Manager provides a unique opportunity to shape supplier management practices while being part of a forward-thinking organisation dedicated to driving transformational change.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land IT Supplier Relationship Manager
✨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 Sword 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 Sword 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 Sword!
✨Direct Apply to Sword
Let's not forget to apply directly through the Sword 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 Supplier Relationship Manager
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 Sword.
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 Sword. 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 Sword
✨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.
