Operational Vendor Manager

At Specsavers, we deliver outstanding value, are loved by every customer, and create a workplace where all colleagues are proud to belong. Our Service Governance & Assurance team ensures robust governance, risk management, and operational assurance across IT Operations. We focus on risk management, operational reporting, software and asset management, vendor oversight, and configuration integrity to provide a foundation for sustainable, efficient, and resilient IT operations.

As an Operational Vendor Manager, you will work with internal Service Operations and Delivery teams to ensure the continual, smooth, and cost-effective delivery of services from our external support partners. You will monitor and manage performance metrics to ensure our partners deliver to committed standards, ensuring that any issues are challenged to ensure delivery & improvement. Collaborating with our Finance Business Partner, you will manage the operational budget, ensuring costs and forecasts are controlled, understood, and accurate. You will also handle supplier performance, mitigate operational delivery risks, process purchase orders, ensure compliance with contractual and regulatory requirements, and resolve issues promptly to avoid service disruptions.

You should be ITIL qualified (min v3) with a deep understanding of ITIL principles, practices, and processes. Strong leadership skills, effective stakeholder management, and flexibility in a rapidly changing environment are essential. Experience in managing service provision from 3rd party support partners, excellent relationship-building skills with vendors, proficiency in creating and forecasting budgets, and competence in administering a procurement lifecycle are also required.

Ready to make a difference? Apply now to join Specsavers and help us deliver outstanding value and service to our customers. Be a part of a team where your contributions are valued and your career can thrive.