Vendor Manager

Wavenet is a managed services provider offering cybersecurity, communications, and connectivity that grows with our customers’ businesses – no matter what the future holds.

Since 2000, we’ve been keeping businesses connected.

At Wavenet, we don’t just provide solutions for today but for tomorrow, too. We’re always thinking ahead of the technology curve, so our customers feel confident that when they work with us, we’re striving to make their business future-proof.

Customer success is our success. We go the extra mile in providing superior service quality and unparalleled customer experience, becoming an extension of your business, and always delivering on our promise to make their business brilliant.

Job Title: Vendor Manager

Reports to: Head of Vendor Alliances

Role Type: Permanent

Location:  Home Based or Office Based

Hours of work:  M-F 9-5:30

Summary and purpose of the Job:

The Vendor Alliances team is the primary point of contact between Wavenet and our key Vendors. By building strong relationships we gain insight into the vendors’ strategic focus areas, how they are reacting to market demands and how they are evolving as a business. By identifying relevant vendor programs and driving successful implementation the Vendor Alliances team aims to elevate the status of Wavenet as a go-to MSP, get greater access to resources, increase funding and drive revenue.

The Vendor Manager’s primary objective is to support the business to drive vendor relationships and sales numbers into growth. The applicant will work with strategic vendors and key stakeholders within Wavenet to perform the responsibilities below.

If you want to further your career from a vibrant and fast-paced organisation, this might be the role for you.

Responsibilities (but not limited to):

• Own and manage Wavenet's contractual and commercial relationship with the vendor.
• Ensure that Wavenet is well represented within the vendors and that multiple relationships are built from C level down.
• Lead regular vendor calls and meetings including quarterly business reviews, monthly meetings, and pipeline reporting.
• Agree and own the delivery of a joint business plan with each vendor for the coming financial year. This will be measured against targets, milestones and KPI's set out in the plan.
• Ensure Wavenet meets any certification, training or other requirements required to achieve Wavenet's desired Partner Status, Programs or Specialisations. This is in partnership with the L&D team.
• Identify vendor programs and promotions to help drive revenue and maximise vendor funding.
• Monitor performance against vendor programs and provide insights on how performance could be improved.
• Claim all vendor rebate available to Wavenet and ensure that invoices are accurately and promptly issued.
• Work with the Wavenet marketing team to ensure that they are aware of all funding available to them, make Marketing Development Fund (MDF) applications and submit claims withing the vendor guidelines.
• Agree the assignment of vendor training funds with key Wavenet stakeholders.
• Advise key stakeholders on vendor developments and strategies and input onto any risks or opportunities these present to Wavenet.
• Review vendor specialisations and advise the business as to which Wavenet should apply for.
• Report on Wavenet's performance with vendors monthly.
• Be the central point of contact for all non-technical vendor related enquiries within Wavenet.
• Be the lead for any vendor audits.
• Assist the product management team with business case preparation for the selection of any new products and services.
• Build and maintain strong vendor relationships.
• Secure buy in from vendors to support our strategic goals.
• Ensure we have access to the best discount available.
• Secure maximum vendor funding to support business growth and development.
• Ensure we achieve and retain the correct vendor status levels to support our business and drive growth.
• Meet vendor targets and driving growth year on year.

The successful candidate will have:

• Working knowledge on how vendors operate their rebate programs.
• Working knowledge on how vendors operate MDF activity.
• Proven track record of relationship building within different business and own business.
• Strong commercial awareness.
• Experience in the IT and telecoms industry preferably in vendor management roles.
• Have market awareness of the IT services industry.
• Have previous experience of vendor audit work and planning for such activity.
• Experience in managing vendor programs.