Vendor Management SME

Job Description

Role: Vendor Management Subject Matter Expert (SME)

Engagement Type: Contract

Working Pattern: Full-time, hybrid (onsite presence required periodically)

Role Overview

The Vendor Management SME will support the implementation of a strategic sourcing and supplier governance capability within a large, complex organisation.

The role is responsible for designing, implementing and embedding vendor management processes, governance frameworks and reporting mechanisms to strengthen supplier performance, compliance and value delivery across a multi-vendor ecosystem.

The successful candidate will translate IT Service Management (ITSM) aligned methodologies into practical, scalable vendor management practices that support effective service delivery and supplier oversight.

Key Responsibilities

Vendor Management Process Design

Design and document end-to-end vendor management processes aligned with recognised ITSM principles.

Establish structured processes covering supplier onboarding, performance management, risk management, issue escalation and continuous improvement.

Define clear roles, responsibilities, workflows and control points to support consistent supplier engagement across IT and business functions.

Governance Framework

Develop and implement a vendor governance model covering operational, tactical and strategic oversight.

Establish governance forums, meeting cadences, reporting structures and escalation paths.

Ensure governance structures support accountability, transparency and performance management.

Reporting and Performance Management

Design and implement vendor performance reporting frameworks including KPIs, SLAs, scorecards, dashboards and compliance metrics.

Work with internal stakeholders to ensure reporting supports contractual obligations and drives actionable insights.

Stakeholder Engagement

Engage with internal stakeholders including service owners and commercial functions to align vendor management practices with organisational needs.

Facilitate workshops and working sessions to support process design and governance implementation.

Support change management activities including training, communication and adoption monitoring.

Risk, Compliance and Quality

Integrate risk management, audit and regulatory considerations into vendor governance processes.

Ensure supplier performance and compliance issues are appropriately tracked, escalated and resolved.

Continuous Improvement

Identify opportunities to improve vendor management practices through process optimisation, automation and use of data analytics.

Contribute to the evolution of the organisation’s supplier management capability.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

Essential

Extensive experience in IT service management, vendor management, sourcing or service delivery roles.

Strong knowledge of IT Service Management frameworks and their application to vendor and service governance.

Experience designing or operating vendor management frameworks, service management processes or sourcing governance models.

Ability to design structured governance models, reporting frameworks and performance measurement systems.

Strong stakeholder management and communication skills with the ability to influence across technical and business teams.

Analytical mindset with experience using data and reporting to support decision-making and improvement initiatives.

Experience in supplier performance management within multi-vendor service environments.

Strong process design and documentation capability.

Ability to facilitate governance forums and cross-functional workshops.

High attention to detail with a focus on quality, compliance and continuous improvement.

Desirable

Experience in procurement, commercial negotiations or supplier relationship management.

Experience supporting organisational change and adoption of new governance or operating models.

Strong workshop facilitation skills for process design and stakeholder alignment.

Experience designing or implementing governance frameworks, operating models or process frameworks in complex environments.

Experience working across both client and supplier organisations within service delivery environments.

Experience supporting sourcing transitions, service integration initiatives or large transformation programmes.

Qualifications

Essential

Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Business, Supply Chain, Management or a related discipline.

Desirable

Certification or formal training in IT Service Management frameworks (e.g. ITIL or equivalent).

Additional Information

Hybrid working model with a combination of remote work and periodic onsite collaboration.

Travel required for business activities may be reimbursed subject to prior approval and organisational policy.

Engagement duration is expected to be approximately 12 months, with an anticipated start date as soon as possible.