The Microsoft Vendor Manager plays a critical role in overseeing and optimising Bell’s technology vendor relationships to ensure reliable delivery, commercial value, cost optimisation, and risk management. Aligned closely with Partner Management and operating to support programmatical requirements, this role focuses on technology suppliers where Bell primarily resells, consumes, or embeds vendor solutions within GTM offerings.
The Vendor Manager is accountable for vendor commercial frameworks, lifecycle management, performance governance, and operational engagement, ensuring Bell are commercially competitive in the market, and ensuring vendors support Bell’s solution catalogue, delivery standards, and growth priorities. Working closely with the CTO Office, Practices, Sales, Procurement, Legal, Finance and Delivery & Operations, the role aligns vendor strategy into measurable outcomes through strong governance, data-led decision-making, and operational discipline.
The Vendor Manager represents the Bell brand within the vendor ecosystem and acts as the day-to-day interface between Bell and its technology vendors. A proactive and highly organised Microsoft Vendor Manager accountable for supporting both the operational execution and growth enablement of Bell Integration’s Microsoft partnership.
This role will work in close partnership with the Microsoft Senior Vendor Manager and form part of a dedicated Microsoft team, collectively responsible for ensuring effective territory engagement, pipeline support, operational excellence, and business continuity across Microsoft-related activities.
Key Responsibilities
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Build working relationships with Microsoft field stakeholders (e.g. Partner Development Managers, sellers)
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Support opportunity development within territories through coordination with Sales and Practices
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Ensure no disruption to pipeline progression, engagement cadence, or Microsoft touchpoints
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Oversee and optimise operational vendor relationships to ensure reliable products and services at the right cost and risk levels.
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Align vendor strategies to Bell solution’s and go-to-market priorities in collaboration with Sales, Practices and the CTO Office.
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Act as the internal vendor subject matter expert, maintaining deep understanding of vendor programmes, commercial models, licensing, and consumption patterns.
Relationship & Stakeholder Management
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Working with the Microsoft Senior Vendor Manager, act as the day-to-day interface between Bell and assigned vendors.
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Build and maintain strong relationships with vendor stakeholders at all levels, including senior and executive sponsors.
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Champion vendor priorities internally while ensuring alignment with Bell’s commercial, technical and delivery standards.
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Promote the Bell brand and value proposition within vendor organisations, strengthening advocacy and alignment.
Commercials, Contracts & Cost Optimisation
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Responsible for vendor commercial frameworks including contracts, rate cards, margin models, shared accountability structures, and renewals.
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Work with Procurement, Legal and Finance to negotiate commercial terms, manage renewals, and ensure appropriate T&Cs are in place prior to product or service go‑live.
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Drive cost optimisation initiatives across licensing models, consumption patterns, discounts, and renewals in partnership with the CTO Office.
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Forecast, track, and redeem vendor rebates and incentives, ensuring accurate reporting and value realisation.
Delivery, Governance & Risk
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Support execution of Microsoft partner processes including:
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Incentives and funding submissions (e.g. ECIF, rebates)
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Deal registration and co-sell tracking
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Solution area mapping and reporting
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Maintain high data quality across all Microsoft reporting systems
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Support process consistency and adherence to Microsoft programme requirements
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Ensure vendor meet Bell’s delivery standards, methodologies, SLAs, and customer experience expectations.
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Manage vendor performance through scorecards, QBRs, escalation paths, and continuous improvement plans.
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Coordinate responses to vendor compliance questionnaires and ensure alignment with Bell’s risk, security, and compliance requirements (e.g. UK GDPR, ISO 27001).
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Identify and mitigate supply, delivery, and commercial risk early through governance and performance monitoring.
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Manage vendor certifications renewals and requirements.
Sales Enablement & Operational Support
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Coordinate and deliver internal Microsoft readiness initiatives
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Develop and maintain internal guidance, toolkits, and documentation
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Support onboarding of sales/practice teams into Microsoft engagement models
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Ensure internal teams are aligned to Microsoft priorities and programmes
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Provide sales support on vendor technology and solutions, commercial frameworks, incentives, and programmes.
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Support day-to-day vendor, Partner and supplier management activities including obtaining registering opportunities (deal registration), certification obtainment and managing deal rebates and funding.
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Organise enablement, training and knowledge-sharing sessions to improve Sales, Pre‑Sales and Delivery confidence in vendor solutions.
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Maintain a central repository of vendor collateral, propositions, and case studies for internal reference.
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Manage vendor portals.
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Register Bell onto customer portals.
Performance & Programme Management
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Produce regular reports on pipeline, incentives, and partner performance
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Analyse data from Partner Center, CRM, and internal tools
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Support preparation for Microsoft QBRs, scorecards, and business reviews
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Identify trends and opportunities to improve engagement and performance
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Track and report KPIs include cost control, rebate realisation, vendor performance, delivery quality, and commercial value.
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Support capacity and coverage planning by leveraging vendors and service providers to fill skill gaps or provide regional coverage.
Knowledge, Skills & Attributes
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Proven experience in partner operations, alliances, PMO, or a similar operational function
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Extensive and detailed knowledge of Microsoft CSP (Cloud Solution Provider) operations is essential, including commercial models, provisioning processes, billing constructs, and lifecycle management
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Strong understanding of Microsoft ecosystem, including Partner Center, co-sell motions, incentives, and programme requirements
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Demonstrable experience working with Microsoft operational processes such as deal registration, funding programmes (e.g. ECIF), and pipeline tracking
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Strong organisational, coordination, and prioritisation skills, with the ability to manage multiple workstreams effectively
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Strong analytical capability, with experience using Excel, Power BI, or similar tools to interpret and present performance data
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Ability to work cross-functionally with Sales, Pre-Sales, Alliances, and operational teams to drive outcomes
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Collaborative, team-oriented mindset with a focus on shared ownership and continuity models
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Strong attention to detail, with a proactive approach to identifying and resolving operational challenges
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Excellent interpersonal and relationship‑building skills across all organisational levels.
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Strong commercial acumen with experience managing contracts, margins, and cost optimisation.
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Analytical and data‑driven, with the ability to interpret performance trends and identify improvement opportunities.
- Highly organised, detail‑oriented, and capable of managing multiple priorities in a fast‑paced environment.
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Clear and confident communicator, able to translate commercial and technical concepts into actionable outcomes.
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Proactive, resilient, and committed to continuous improvement.
Required Experience
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5+ years’ experience in vendor or partner management, supplier management, procurement, or commercial roles within an IT, cloud or services‑led organisation.
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Proven experience managing technology vendors, contracts, renewals, and commercial frameworks.
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Experience working cross‑functionally with Sales, CTO, Procurement, Legal, Finance and Delivery teams.
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Strong understanding of vendor ecosystems, reseller models, consumption‑based licensing, and rebate structures.
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Demonstrated ability to manage risk, compliance, and performance within supplier or vendor environments.
