CYS - EDGEWING - Delivery Manager – Vendor Management

Description

The company is a global industrial group in aerospace, defence and security, working across helicopters, aircraft, aerostructures, electronics, cyber security and space. It employs more than 60,000 people, has sites in Italy, the UK, Poland and the US, and operates in 150 countries through subsidiaries, joint ventures and investments.

This role sits in the GCAP Technical Leadership unit of the GCAP Joint Venture, based at the GCAP headquarters in Reading, UK.

You will make sure products and services from vendors support digital engineering, arrive on schedule and to the agreed roadmap and quality, and stay within contract terms.

Shortlisting is based on how well CVs match the required qualifications. Shortlisted candidates first have an introductory interview with HR on motivation and soft skills, then a technical interview with the hiring team. Every candidate receives feedback at the end, whatever the result.

Responsibilities

• Own the delivery and ongoing improvement of vendor products and services within agreed scope and timescales.
• Hold vendors to their contract terms, roadmaps, schedules and quality standards across the whole delivery lifecycle.
• Lead end-to-end delivery, contract governance, SLA monitoring and vendor performance management through structured rating and reporting.
• Reduce costs where possible and make sure vendors deliver value for money, while staying aligned with programme goals and enterprise standards.
• Balance short-term delivery pressure against long-term vendor strategy and cost goals.
• Support toolset selection and technology evaluations, including proofs of concept, with stakeholders, and check that vendor solutions fit the architecture.
• Manage upgrades, enhancements and decommissioning of vendor-delivered solutions.
• Act as the main contact between vendors and internal stakeholders, communicating expectations, risks and progress clearly.
• Gather, challenge and combine vendor requirements to remove duplication and fragmentation.
• Support business change linked to vendor solutions, including writing training and information material.
• Work with other Delivery Managers and Product Owners so vendor activity matches programme priorities.
• Enforce enterprise vendor management standards, contract terms, regulatory requirements and vendor management guidelines.
• Work with company procurement on vendor engagement and management.
• Set and enforce vendor performance metrics, SLA adherence and the Vendor Rating mechanism.
• Support audits and quality assurance of vendor products and services.
• Keep vendor commitments and delivery status transparent and traceable.
• Coordinate work across vendors and internal teams, with clear ownership and accountability.
• Track vendor performance, risks and dependencies, and escalate problems early.
• Resolve delivery incidents and put continuous improvements in place.
• Manage relationships with key vendors and system integrators, and run vendor performance reviews.
• Support contract management and licence optimisation, and help negotiate with vendors, especially framework agreements for strategic vendors.
• Drive adoption of best practice in vendor management.

Requirements

• At least 5 years of vendor or delivery management in complex, regulated settings such as aerospace, defence or large engineering programmes.
• A degree in engineering, business management and negotiation, supply chain or a related technical field.
• Proven experience in contract management, SLA enforcement and vendor performance monitoring.
• A solid grasp of vendor governance frameworks, compliance requirements and risk management.
• Experience managing several vendors and system integrators across complicated delivery landscapes.
• Knowledge of cost optimisation and securing value for money in vendor engagements.
• Experience supporting toolset selection and technology evaluations with stakeholders.
• Ability to manage many stakeholders and competing priorities while keeping delivery on track.
• A strong delivery mindset, with experience in waterfall, agile or hybrid delivery models.
• Strong communication, negotiation and influencing skills.

Conditions

Covered by the Italian National Collective Labour Agreement for the Private Metalworking Industry and Plant Installation Sector.

Hybrid working.

Executive-level position.

Permanent contract, with Italy as the base location.

Secondment of at least two years to Reading, the JV headquarters.

Senior level.

Primary location: Rome, Via Laurentina. Additional locations: Catania, Chieti Scalo, Genova Fiumara, Milano Nerviano and Torino Corso Marche.

Total base pay range: 60-75k.

The company sets grade and pay using objective criteria such as seniority, experience and role requirements, in line with equal opportunity law.

Benefits

• 13th-month salary.
• Performance bonus tied to business results.
• Annual welfare benefit worth €250.
• Ongoing training and development in both technical and soft skills.
• Well-being support covering economic, physical, social and psychological health, tailored to individual needs.