Commercial / Vendor Manager

Job Title:Commercial / Vendor / Contracts / Supply Manager
Location:Reading (on-site 2 days per week)
Salary/Rate:Day Rate- £449 inside IR35
Start Date:23/02/2026
Job Type:6-month contract (Inside IR35)

About the Role

We are looking for an experienced and driven Vendor Manager to oversee a portfolio of strategic vendors, ensuring all services delivered are fit-for-purpose, cost-effective, and aligned with business objectives.

You will play a critical role in managing vendor relationships, driving performance against agreed contractual commitments, and embedding continuous service improvement in line with ITIL best practice where appropriate.

This is a highly collaborative position, working closely with internal stakeholders across procurement, finance, legal, and operational teams to ensure vendors consistently deliver value for money and high-quality services.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and service-govern a portfolio of vendors to ensure performance against agreed KPIs and contractual obligations.

• Act as the single point of contact for vendor-related issues, driving resolution and service improvement initiatives where required.

• Develop SMART KPIs in partnership with operational colleagues to measure vendor performance and ensure services remain fit-for-purpose.

• Chair regular vendor review meetings to monitor performance, contractual compliance, and service delivery standards.

• Own and maintain service schedules and contract documentation, ensuring updates are governed and formally signed off.

• Monitor and enforce contractual remedies where vendors underperform.

• Oversee financial management of vendor relationships, including budgeting and purchase orders, ensuring no disruption to service delivery.

• Work closely with procurement, finance, and legal teams to ensure compliance with governance processes.

• Support procurement activities (including RFIs and vendor selection processes) to ensure rigorous assessment of new vendors.

• Assist in benchmarking vendor pricing to ensure industry competitiveness and value for money.

• Contribute to vendor strategy and planning, including continuous improvement, cost reduction, cost avoidance, and in-source/outsource evaluations.

• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to ensure vendor agreements are clearly communicated and understood.

• Produce performance and development reports aligned to business needs, market trends, and vendor capabilities.

• Define and manage support and maintenance schedules to ensure cost-effective service provision.

What We're Looking For

• Proven experience in vendor or supplier management.

• Strong understanding of ITIL best practices (where applicable).

• Experience managing contracts, KPIs, and service governance.

• Financial awareness, including budgeting and purchase order processes.

• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.

• Ability to drive continuous improvement and manage performance issues effectively.

• Strong analytical and reporting capabilities.

Disclaimer
Notwithstanding any guidelines given to level of experience sought, we will consider candidates from outside this range if they can demonstrate the necessary competencies.
Square One is acting as both an employment agency and an employment business, and is an equal opportunities recruitment business. Square One embraces diversity and will treat everyone equally. Please see our website for our full diversity statement.