IT Supplier Manager

IT Supplier Manager | Defence & Aerospace Programme 📍 Reading (Hybrid - 3 Days Onsite) 📅 12-Month Contract 🔒 Active SC Clearance Required (DV highly desirable) 💷 £75-77 per hour (Inside IR35) An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced IT Supplier Manager to join a major Digital Information function supporting complex and highly regulated programmes within the Aerospace & Defence sector. This role is ideal for a supplier management professional who has experience operating within Defence, MOD, Aerospace, or similarly regulated environments and is passionate about driving supplier performance, governance, and service excellence. The Opportunity As IT Supplier Manager, you will take ownership of supplier strategy and performance, ensuring IT partners deliver high-quality services that support business and technology objectives. Working closely with Digital, Procurement, Commercial, and Finance stakeholders, you will play a critical role in optimising supplier relationships, managing risk, and driving continuous improvement across the supplier landscape. Key Responsibilities

• Define and implement IT supplier management strategies
• Manage the full supplier lifecycle from selection and onboarding through to governance and offboarding
• Lead supplier performance reviews and service governance activities
• Monitor and drive SLA achievement and service quality improvements
• Identify opportunities for cost optimisation, efficiency gains, and risk reduction
• Manage supplier relationships across multiple stakeholders
• Ensure suppliers operate in line with governance, compliance, and contractual obligations
• Support commercial negotiations and contract management activities Essential Skills & Experience ✅ 3+ years' experience in IT Supplier Management ✅ Experience managing supplier contracts, governance, and performance frameworks ✅ Strong commercial and stakeholder management skills ✅ Knowledge of IT governance, compliance, and risk management principles ✅ Experience working within Defence, MOD, Aerospace, or other highly regulated environments ✅ Proven track record of delivering supplier improvements and service excellence initiatives ✅ Active SC Clearance Desirable Experience
• DV Clearance
• Defence Digital environments
• Large-scale digital transformation programmes
• Technology sourcing and procurement activities
• Supplier risk and assurance management Why Apply?
• Long-term contract on a high-profile defence programme
• Opportunity to influence supplier strategy and service delivery
• Work within a secure and technically complex environment
• Engage with senior stakeholders across technology, commercial, and operational teams
• Join programmes at the forefront of UK Defence and Aerospace innovation