Strategic Supplier Account Manager

Overview

Strategic Supplier Account Manager

Permanent

Manchester or Milton Keynes

Manchester £66,300 - £74,600 / Milton Keynes £69,000 - £77,600

Working arrangements:
Hybrid (2 days per week in the office)

You're stepping into a key role at a pivotal moment for AQA as we strengthen how we work with our most important technology partners. As we embark on significant long-term supplier relationships, you'll help shape how these partnerships operate, evolve and deliver value to the organisation. This is an opportunity to influence how AQA collaborates with multi million-pound technology suppliers, ensuring we deliver the best possible experience for colleagues, stakeholders and ultimately the learners who rely on our work.

You'll play a central role in ensuring AQA gets the best out of its strategic supplier partnerships. This includes maintaining a clear view of contractual commitments, performance expectations and long-term supplier roadmaps. You'll act as the expert link between technology teams, procurement and supplier partners, helping ensure strong commercial outcomes, effective governance and a joined-up approach across the organisation. This role provides the chance to influence how AQA's supplier landscape evolves over time, guiding how these multi million-pound partnerships deliver value and support our long-term technology strategy.

• Managing multi-million-pound strategic supplier relationships and ensuring delivery against contractual commitments.
• Providing insight, challenge and guidance to ensure suppliers meet expected service levels, KPIs and long-term roadmaps.
• Maintaining strong alignment across Enterprise Technology, Assessment Technology and wider leadership teams.

You’ll thrive in this role if you bring a confident, collaborative and commercially focused approach.

• Proven contractual management experience within complex or technology-led organisations.
• Strong track record managing multi-million-pound supplier partnerships.
• Ability to build trusted external relationships and work confidently with executive stakeholders.
• Strong commercial acumen with the ability to identify value and risk.
• Experience shaping supplier strategy roadmaps and long-term technology partnerships.

This is a newly created role with the autonomy to shape how AQA manages its most critical technology suppliers.

• Play a leading role in shaping multi million-pound technology supplier partnerships.
• 25 days’ annual leave, rising to 30 with service, plus bank holidays and extra closure days at Christmas
• a 35-hour working week with flexible working arrangements
• an excellent contributory pension scheme (6%–11.5% depending on your contribution)
• life assurance, BUPA PMI, and health cash plan
• enhanced maternity and paternity schemes

At AQA, we are committed to fostering a workplace that celebrates diversity and promotes equity and inclusion. We believe that a diverse team brings richer perspectives and drives better outcomes. Our ED&I strategy ensures that everyone—regardless of religion, ethnicity, gender identity or expression, age, disability, sexual orientation or background—is valued, respected and empowered to thrive. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and lived experiences.

To apply, please submit your CV and cover letter. The Final date to receive applications is 8 February 2026. First stage interviews will take place on 19 February via Microsoft Teams, followed by second stage interviews on 25 February in Manchester or 27 February in Milton Keynes.

We have a preferred supplier list (PSL) in place.

Unsolicited CVs will be treated as a gift. We will not be subject to or liable under your terms and conditions for agency fees.

Summary

Purpose:

This role is accountable for ensuring the successful management and assurance of a number of key technology suppliers underpinning the execution of daily operations or transformational change activities that are operated from the technology functions (Enterprise and Assessment Technology)…