Details:
- Salary: £70 - 77.50 - Hour
- Job Type: Contract
- Job Status: Full-Time
- Salary Per: Hour
- Location: Reading Berkshire
- Date: 1 day ago
Description:
Our client, a leading organisation in the defence and security sector, is looking for an IT Supplier & Category Manager to support sensitive MOD and aerospace programmes. This is a supplier / commercial / governance role (not a delivery-focused Project or Programme Management position).
Location & rate
* Location: Reading, Berkshire (hybrid working)
* Rate: Up to £77.50 per hour (umbrella)
* Clearance: Active SC is mandatory (DV preferred)
What you’ll be doing
* Define and execute IT supplier strategies aligned to Digital Information objectives and technology roadmaps
* Manage the end-to-end supplier lifecycle: identification, evaluation, selection, contracting, performance management, and offboarding
* Support tender processes, commercial negotiations, and contract renewals for IT and professional services
* Establish and run a supplier governance framework, including SLAs, KPIs, and performance metrics
* Lead supplier review meetings and act as a key liaison across suppliers, procurement, finance, and wider stakeholders
* Monitor day-to-day supplier performance, addressing service gaps, risks, compliance issues, and underperformance
* Drive improvements across quality, cost effectiveness, customer satisfaction, and innovation
* Support budget management and relevant cost-saving initiatives
What we’re looking for
* 3+ years’ experience in IT supplier management (evaluation, contracting, performance, offboarding)
* Category management experience within a highly regulated environment (e.g., defence/security)
* Strong commercial acumen with experience negotiating complex IT contracts (ideally international)
* Understanding of IT compliance, risk management, and regulatory requirements
* Knowledge of the supplier landscape (e.g., System Integrators)
* Strong stakeholder management, communication, and process creation skills
* Background delivering in MOD / Defence Digital / aerospace environments (or comparable security-focused settings)
Desirable
* CIPS, ITIL, PMP (or related certifications)
* Experience transitioning supplier contracts between legal entities
* Experience contributing to CAB / IT operations meetings / supplier performance reviews
If you’d like, tell me where you’re posting it (Matchtech site vs LinkedIn vs job boards) and I’ll tailor the length/tone and add a tighter “About the client” + compliance wording