At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead supplier relationships and manage contracts in a dynamic IT environment.
- Company: Join Zurich, a leading company with a focus on flexibility and employee well-being.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive pension scheme, annual bonuses, and flexible holiday options.
- Other info: Flexible working options available to suit your lifestyle.
- Why this job: Make an impact by driving value and compliance in IT supplier management.
- Qualifications: Experience in IT procurement and strong negotiation skills are essential.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
Working hours: This role is available on a part-time, job-share or full-time basis.
Location: Swindon or Fareham, hybrid working.
Closing date for applications: 29th May 2026
The opportunity
You’ll be joining the IT Procurement and Supply Chain Management team in the fast-paced UK Operations. You will lead and monitor the relationship, ongoing performance and contractual commitments of our IT suppliers, adding value through your existing experience gained within an IT environment to contribute to the development of reporting, contracts, policies, and procedures, and alignment to regulatory requirements in ensuring the delivery of business-aligned services. You’ll manage some of our Strategic Tier-1 IT suppliers and contracts, brokering relationships that will require a holistic view across multiple projects and multiple contracts both locally and globally. You will lead on contract change and negotiations and take a more focused view of our relationship with a supplier, looking specifically at requirements and details needed for particular engagements. You’ll be constantly and consistently looking at mitigating risk, cost management and driving value from our outsourced arrangements, as well as stakeholder management – your chance to really demonstrate your passion for customer focus and continuous improvement.
We need someone who is organised, proactive and comfortable developing and maintaining a range of internal relationships across all areas of the business, including senior and executive management, external relationships with outsourced partners and business-to-business relationships with suppliers. Many of our employees work flexibly in a variety of different ways, including part-time, flexible hours, job share, an element of working from home or compressed hours. This is because we want the best people for our roles, and we recognise that sometimes those people aren’t available full-time. Please talk to us at interview about the flexibility you may need.
What will you be doing?
- Effectively build and maintain relationships with suppliers and key stakeholders.
- Monitor and drive compliance of the suppliers with obligations within the agreement and alignment to regulatory requirements.
- Monitor the delivery of the suppliers against the appropriate level of commitment in the agreement.
- Manage and initiate Service Improvement initiatives to track and address failures against contractual commitments, ensuring remediation plans exist.
- Act as a contract advisor and support/lead on contract negotiations, change management, new IT contracting or termination and supplier onboarding.
- Act as an escalation point for contractual queries or disputes.
- Propose amendments to the contract as necessary to meet the organisation's evolving business needs.
- Work with UK Operations and the wider Zurich organisation to deliver business-aligned services.
- Communicate with stakeholders to set expectations and manage perceptions about sourced services and the sourcing strategy.
What are we looking for?
Chances are you have a broad range of experience gained in an IT Supplier Management/Procurement environment, in something like Procurement, Contract and/or Supplier Management, with a high level of commercial acumen and delivery focus. You may have worked within a regulated environment and understand the intricacies of managing suppliers and contracts within the guidelines and frameworks laid out. But what really matters is that you are highly motivated with a drive and ability to succeed at any given task. You’re at the stage of your Zurich career where you’re resilient and positive so if things don’t always go to plan, it won’t phase you! An absolute devil for the detail, you can clearly brief others and balance priorities in a fluid, fast-paced environment. You know how to work to smash incredibly tight deadlines and apply sharp attention to process, detail and quality. Last but definitely not least, you’re a real team player that can flex your approach and know instinctively how to get the very best out of everyone.
Your skills and experience:
- Relevant professional Procurement and/or IT qualifications (e.g. CIPS)
- Experience in managing 3rd party suppliers and contracts in a regulated environment is desirable.
- Effective problem solver, ability to quickly assess technical escalations.
- Strong and effective Meeting Management skills are essential.
- High level of communication influencing and negotiation skills, coupled with an ability to build relationships at all levels of the organisation both internally and externally.
- High level of commercial knowledge with sound business acumen.
- Good interpersonal and networking skills, and highly articulate team player.
- Strong delivery focus with an ability to help others get on board quickly with changing priorities.
What will you get in return?
Everyone’s different. That’s why at Zurich, we offer a wide range of employee benefits so our people can choose what fits them and their life. Our benefits provide real flexibility so our people can make considered choices and tailor their benefits throughout the year. Our benefits include 12% defined non-contributory pension scheme, annual company bonus, private medical insurance and the option to buy up to an additional 20 days or sell some of your holiday, alongside a range of other flexible benefits.
Your application
We’re committed to treating all applicants fairly and with respect, irrespective of their actual or assumed background, sexual orientation, disability or any other protected characteristic.
IT Supplier & Contracts Lead (Hybrid) in Swindon employer: Zurich 56 Company Ltd
At Zurich, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a flexible work culture that accommodates part-time, job-share, and full-time arrangements to suit diverse lifestyles. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through our comprehensive benefits package, including a generous pension scheme, annual bonuses, and private medical insurance, all designed to empower our team members in their professional journeys. Located in Swindon or Fareham, our hybrid working model fosters collaboration while allowing for a healthy work-life balance, making Zurich a truly rewarding place to build your career.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land IT Supplier & Contracts Lead (Hybrid) in Swindon
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the IT procurement space and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings that aren't even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by researching the company and its suppliers. Show us you understand their business model and how you can add value. Tailor your examples to highlight your experience in managing supplier relationships and driving compliance.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! Since you'll be leading contract discussions, it’s crucial to demonstrate your ability to broker deals effectively. Role-play with a friend or mentor to get comfortable with the process.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace IT Supplier & Contracts Lead (Hybrid) in Swindon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in IT Supplier Management and Procurement. We want to see how your skills align with the role, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant achievements!
Showcase Your Soft Skills:This role is all about building relationships and managing stakeholders. Be sure to mention your communication and negotiation skills, as well as any experiences where you’ve successfully navigated complex situations. We love a good story!
Be Detail-Oriented:As an IT Supplier & Contracts Lead, attention to detail is key. When writing your application, double-check for typos and ensure your formatting is consistent. A polished application reflects your professionalism and commitment.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy – just follow the prompts!
How to prepare for a job interview at Zurich 56 Company Ltd
✨Know Your Suppliers
Before the interview, research the key suppliers and contracts relevant to the role. Understand their strengths, weaknesses, and how they align with the company's goals. This will help you demonstrate your knowledge and show that you're proactive about the position.
✨Showcase Your Negotiation Skills
Prepare examples of past negotiations you've led or been a part of. Highlight your approach to contract changes and how you managed stakeholder expectations. This will illustrate your ability to handle the complexities of supplier relationships effectively.
✨Demonstrate Compliance Awareness
Familiarise yourself with regulatory requirements related to IT procurement and supplier management. Be ready to discuss how you’ve ensured compliance in previous roles and how you would apply that knowledge in this position.
✨Emphasise Team Collaboration
Since this role requires building relationships across various teams, prepare to discuss how you've successfully collaborated with different stakeholders in the past. Share specific examples that highlight your interpersonal skills and ability to adapt your communication style.