About Joskos
Joskos is a specialist ICT services provider supporting schools, Multi-Academy Trusts and education organisations with managed services, cloud solutions, infrastructure, cyber security, connectivity, software and devices.
As the business grows, strong supplier partnerships are essential to improving commercial performance, supporting sales growth and delivering excellent customer outcomes.
Role Purpose
The Vendor Manager is responsible for managing and strengthening relationships with suppliers, distributors and technology partners to maximize commercial value for Joskos.
This role focuses on:
* Building strategic supplier partnerships
* Negotiating pricing, rebates and commercial incentives
* Securing Marketing Development Funds (MDF)
* Supporting sales and bid activity
* Improving procurement governance and supplier performance
The role works closely with Finance, Sales, Procurement and Service teams to ensure supplier relationships contribute directly to margin improvement, operational efficiency and customer success.
Key Responsibilities
Vendor & Supplier Management
* Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers, distributors and vendors
* Act as the main commercial contact for key supplier accounts
* Develop supplier engagement plans and strategic partnerships
* Attend vendor events, partner meetings and networking sessions
* Maintain awareness of vendor programmes, accreditations and incentives
* Identify opportunities for improved commercial support, promotions and early access to products
Rebates, MDF & Commercial Negotiation
* Negotiate rebates, discounts, pricing support and supplier incentives
* Secure and manage Marketing Development Funds (MDF)
* Work with Sales and Marketing to turn MDF into measurable campaigns and opportunities
* Monitor rebate claims, supplier funding and commercial performance
* Improve supplier terms including pricing, credit and delivery arrangements
* Support deal-based negotiations to improve competitiveness and margin
Sales & Bid Support
* Support sales teams with supplier engagement and pricing escalation
* Coordinate supplier involvement in customer meetings and events
* Assist bids and tenders by securing supplier pricing, accreditations and letters of support
* Promote supplier-backed opportunities and campaigns
* Help position Joskos as a value-added technology partner rather than a transactional reseller
Procurement Oversight
* Oversee procurement operations and just-in-time ordering processes
* Ensure purchase orders are accurate and compliant with approval processes
* Monitor supplier delivery performance and resolve escalations
* Support procurement governance, operational efficiency and financial control
* Work with the procurement support team to maintain accurate supplier and purchasing records
Supplier Performance Management
* Introduce supplier performance monitoring and KPI reporting
* Conduct regular supplier review meetings
* Manage supplier risks, performance issues and corrective actions
* Maintain preferred supplier lists and recommend supplier rationalization where beneficial
* Provide updates to senior management on supplier performance and commercial opportunities
Market & Vendor Strategy
* Monitor trends across education technology, cloud, cyber security and managed services
* Identify new vendors, technologies and partner opportunities
* Keep stakeholders informed of supplier and licensing changes
* Support strategic decisions around vendor prioritization and supplier partnerships
Reporting & Commercial Insight
* Track rebates, MDF, supplier incentives and procurement performance
* Report on supplier spend, margin improvement and commercial benefits
* Work with Finance to reconcile supplier credits and rebates
* Provide insights into supplier performance, procurement risks and operational bottlenecks
Key Measures of Success
Success in the role will be measured through:
* Strong supplier relationships and engagement
* Increased rebates and MDF secured
* Margin improvement and better commercial terms
* Supplier-backed sales opportunities
* Procurement accuracy and governance
* Improved supplier performance and delivery reliability
* Accurate reporting and reduced supplier risk
Essential Experience
* Experience in vendor management, procurement, supplier management or commercial operations
* Understanding of the IT reseller, managed services or education technology sector
* Experience negotiating pricing, rebates and commercial terms
* Strong relationship-building and communication skills
* Commercial awareness including margin and supplier profitability
* Experience supporting sales teams and bid activity
* Strong organization and attention to detail
Desirable Experience
* Experience within education ICT or public-sector technology environments
* Knowledge of vendor programmes, MDF and rebate structures
* Familiarity with platforms such as Zoho, Autotask, QuoteWerks or Sage
* Understanding of public-sector frameworks
* CIPS qualification or equivalent commercial experience
Skills & Behaviours
The successful candidate will be:
* Commercially minded and confident negotiating with suppliers
* Relationship-focused while remaining results-driven
* Organized, proactive and detail-oriented
* Comfortable working across Sales, Finance, Procurement and Delivery teams
* Professional in representing the business externally
* Able to turn supplier relationships into measurable business value