IT Vendor / IT Procurement Manager - Permanent, Portugal

IT Vendor / IT Procurement Manager - Permanent, Portugal
Viseu
Viseu, Viseu District, Portugal

We are seeking a skilled and experienced IT Vendor & Supply Chain Management specialist to lead
- related activities across IT services for a Global retail organisation, based in Lisbon, Portugal - Hybrid working (possible flexibility but must be in country). This position is ideal for someone with extensive vendor management experience (5+ years) who can work autonomously to manage vendor relationships, conduct contract renewals, and ensure compliance with service agreements and procurement standards.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead vendor meetings across key IT suppliers to ensure service alignment and strategic collaboration.
• Manage global vendor contract renewals, including SLA reviews and change request approvals.
• Conduct quarterly business and commercial reviews of vendor engagements to monitor performance and value delivery.
• Act as the primary escalation point for vendor performance issues and resolution management.
• Oversee demand management activities.
• Maintain and update service agreements.
• Support cost optimisation efforts through vendor spend analysis, reporting, and service credit tracking.
• Collaborate with finance teams to develop and maintain effective charging mechanisms.
• Ensure compliance with software licensing policies and manage vendor contributions to external audits.
• Maintain and improve internal processes and documentation related to vendor licensing and governance.
• Liaise with Legal, HR, and other corporate functions on IT
  - related matters
• Provide independent guidance to internal teams on best practices in vendor engagement, compliance, and governance.

Experience Required

• Minimum of 5 years’ experience in vendor management / procurement within IT services, ideally in a global or complex enterprise environment.
• Proven experience in IT procurement processes, including supplier evaluation, contract negotiation, and contract renewals
• Proven track record of independently managing strategic vendor relationships, including performance monitoring, contract negotiations, and commercial governance.
• Strong presence and gravitas, capable of confidently liaising with senior leaders internally and representatives from large IT Vendors/MSP's.
• Experience conducting quarterly business reviews, resolving escalations, and ensuring compliance with service agreements and procurement policies.
• Solid understanding of IT service delivery frameworks, licensing models, and cost optimisation techniques.
• Skilled in navigating
  - functional collaboration, including coordination with Finance, Legal, HR, and Procurement teams.
• Comfortable working in a dynamic hybrid environment with the autonomy to drive outcomes across international teams / times zones, and vendor partners.
• Ideally CIPS / CPSM / ITIL certified.

Please contact me for an initial discussion and further details.

Thanks for reading.

Steve