Lead Supplier Relationship Manager (IT)

At Yorkshire Building Society, we are taking our Supply Chain Management function on an exciting transformation journey, building a market‑leading capability across category management, sourcing, third‑party risk, property and supplier relationship management. As part of this, we are strengthening how we manage our most critical third‑party relationships, particularly across IT, where supplier performance, resilience and value are fundamental to member outcomes.

We are looking for a Lead Supplier Relationship Manager to oversee a significant portfolio of IT suppliers and help embed our Third‑Party Target Operating Model (TOM) across technology services. This is a senior role, operating at the intersection of IT, supply chain, risk and governance, with strong opportunity to shape how supplier management operates in practice as the operating model continues to mature. This role will operate on a hybrid basis, with weekly attendance to either our Leeds or Bradford Head Office (1‑2 days per week).

About the Role

You will be responsible for leading supplier relationship management across a portfolio of 30+ IT suppliers, covering core banking and platforms, payments, infrastructure, networks and telecoms, cloud, SaaS, data, cyber and managed services. The portfolio includes both strategic suppliers and operationally critical providers. The role sits within an emerging Third‑Party Target Operating Model, where roles, responsibilities and ways of working are becoming more clearly defined. The portfolio has already begun transitioning into this new model, and a key part of the role is embedding the TOM in practice locking in governance, clarifying accountabilities, and ensuring consistent and effective supplier oversight across IT.

Responsibilities include:

• Collaboration with the Accountable Director and Category Management on supplier strategy, leading on governance for your supplier portfolio, providing oversight and challenge across performance, risk and value.
• Support effective operational outcomes by shaping and embedding supplier management frameworks that enable resilient service delivery, clear ownership and improved transparency.
• Play an important role in supporting operational resilience and regulatory expectations, including incident management and third‑party risk obligations, without owning day‑to‑day execution.
• Lead a small team of Supplier Relationship Managers (2 FTE). Leadership in this role is focused on coaching, quality assurance of SRM outputs, and managing escalations and executive‑facing supplier issues.
• Work closely with the Director of IT and their leadership team, alongside stakeholders across Procurement, Third‑Party Risk, Legal, Compliance, Operational Resilience, Architecture, Data and AI.
• Engage with senior and executive‑level contacts within key suppliers.

Reporting to the Senior Manager, Supplier Relationship Management.

About you

You will bring experience managing complex IT suppliers within a regulated environment, and be comfortable operating at senior level with a strong focus on assurance, governance and value. You are likely to have experience from one or more of the following:

• IT‑facing supplier relationship management roles
• Procurement or commercial roles closely aligned to technology
• Operational supplier management roles with significant IT exposure

You will be experienced in working with large technology vendors, across a mix of software, hardware, cloud and on‑prem environments. Experience of outsourced IT services is advantageous. A working understanding of third‑party risk management within Financial Services, including operational resilience and incident management expectations, is a significant benefit. You are confident influencing senior stakeholders, providing constructive challenge, and handling difficult conversations without owning delivery or technical decision‑making.

Success in this role looks like:

• Improved service stability and transparency across IT suppliers
• Clearer accountability between IT, SRM and third parties
• Stronger commercial leverage across the IT supply base
• Measurable value and innovation delivered through supplier relationships

About us

At YBS we don’t have shareholders, we have members. We care about people and that includes you. So here, you’ll be respected for who you are, you’ll be able to bring your whole self to work, and you’ll have everything you need to build a long and rewarding career.

Flexibility. We offer a range of flexible working options without unsocial hours, which can help you find a healthy work‑life balance. Whether it’s finishing early for an appointment or fitting your studies and hobbies in around your working hours, we can help make it work for you. We’re happy to talk flexible working and you can reach out to us anytime to discuss this during the recruitment process.

Development. We want you to feel challenged here. Whatever your ambitions, we’re committed to helping you develop your skills and move ahead in your career journey. From day one, we’ll set you up for success with a brilliant induction and full training plan, all designed to get you up to speed quickly.

Inclusivity. We’re passionate about creating an inclusive environment where everyone is welcome and able to be themselves. If you’ll go the extra mile to help our members, you’ll fit right in and feel you belong here.

About our Benefits

We offer lots of fantastic rewards that you can make the most of in and out of work, including:

• Holiday. You’ll get 25 days plus Bank Holidays, as well as the option to buy up to a further 5 days.
• Bonus. At YBS we work collaboratively and share in our success together, so when we reach our goals we’re all rewarded with an on‑target bonus of 7% of eligible pay (with the opportunity to earn up to a maximum 15%).
• Pension. We know how important it is to save towards the future, that’s why we’ll contribute up to 11% into your YBS pension.
• Healthcare. Health and wellbeing are an important part of life at YBS, when you join us you’ll have access to a range of health benefits to suit your life including private medical insurance, dental and healthcare plans.
• My Benefits. When you join YBS you’ll have access to our self‑service benefits portal, where you can access a range of retail, hospitality and health discounts.

Please note: This advert will close 8th May.