In brief
This IT Supplier and Category Manager role oversees commercial governance and supplier performance for critical defence and aerospace programmes. The work involves managing the full supplier lifecycle, negotiating complex contracts, and establishing frameworks to monitor service levels, risks, and cost-effectiveness across the organisation's digital technology roadmaps.
Best for
Experienced IT category managers from defence or security backgrounds
Non-negotiable
Active SC clearance is mandatory.
Worth knowing
Role is offered on an umbrella basis with a rate of up to £77.50 per hour.
What you need
Required
SC clearance
Strongly implied by the listing
Supplier management
3+ years
Category management
Strongly implied by the listing
Commercial negotiation
Strongly implied by the listing
IT compliance
Clearly required in the listing
Risk management
Clearly required in the listing
Stakeholder management
Strongly implied by the listing
Communication
Strongly implied by the listing
Preferred
CIPS
Clearly required in the listing
ITIL
Clearly required in the listing
PMP
Clearly required in the listing
Your day-to-day
Define IT supplier strategies
Clearly stated in the job description.
Manage supplier lifecycles
Clearly stated in the job description.
Support tender and contract processes
Clearly stated in the job description.
Establish governance frameworks
Clearly stated in the job description.
Lead supplier review meetings
Clearly stated in the job description.
Monitor supplier performance
Clearly stated in the job description.
Drive service improvements
Clearly stated in the job description.
Support budget management
Clearly stated in the job description.
Experience expected
Level
Mid-level
Based on what the listing states
Years of experience
3+ years
of relevant experience stated for this role
Clearly stated in the listing
Evidence from the listing
Years required
“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 suppli…”
Experience level
“…udget management and relevant cost-saving initiatives What we’re looking for 3+ years’ experience in IT supplier management (evaluation, contracting, performance, offboarding) Category management expe…”
What's on offer
Full job description (from employer)⌄
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
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Note
We generate this analysis from the job description. The listing may have changed since then, or the analysis may not be fully accurate — always check the original posting before applying.