AVP Vendor Management

CardWorks • Woodbury, MN

6d • $130,000 - $155,000

About The Position

The AVP of Vendor Management will lead the execution of Cardworks’ vendor management strategy across the full lifecycle—from sourcing and contracting to performance monitoring and renewal/offboarding. This role ensures compliance with governance standards, optimizes vendor relationships for cost efficiency and risk mitigation, and partners with business stakeholders to deliver strategic value. The AVP will serve as a key liaison between operational teams, risk management, legal, and finance, while driving process standardization and continuous improvement.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Supply Chain, or related field; MBA preferred.
• 7+ years of experience in vendor management, procurement, or strategic sourcing within financial services or a regulated industry.
• Strong negotiation skills and experience managing complex, high-value vendor relationships.
• Knowledge of risk management frameworks (TPRM), contract law, and regulatory compliance.
• Proficiency in vendor management tools (e.g., Archer) and sourcing methodologies (RFx, benchmarking).
• Understanding of financial analysis for vendor cost modeling.
• Ability to present vendor strategies and risk assessments to senior leadership and regulatory bodies.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and leadership skills.
• Strategic thinking and analytical problem-solving.
• Ability to influence and drive change across cross-functional teams.
• Detail-oriented with strong governance and compliance mindset.
• Results-driven with a focus on cost optimization and risk mitigation.

Responsibilities

• Vendor Lifecycle Management
• Oversee end-to-end vendor lifecycle: need identification, market research, RFx execution, negotiation, contracting, onboarding, performance monitoring, and renewal/offboarding.
• Ensure adherence to Third-Party Risk Management (TPRM) requirements and governance protocols.
• Maintain vendor data integrity in Archer and other systems, including contract details, SLA metrics, and performance reviews.
• Strategic Sourcing & Negotiation
• Develop sourcing strategies and lead negotiations for high-value vendors (> $300K annual spend) in partnership with the Vendor Management Team (VMT).
• Apply category strategies and leverage tools (RFP templates, benchmarking, sourcing levers) to optimize cost and value.
• Conduct market research and competitive analysis to identify opportunities for savings and innovation.
• Governance & Compliance
• Ensure compliance with legal, risk, and regulatory requirements across all vendor engagements.
• Partner with Legal on contract drafting and review; ensure SLA and performance standards are embedded in agreements.
• Coordinate with Risk teams (1st and 2nd line) for vendor classification, risk assessments, and remediation tracking.
• Performance Management
• Drive Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs) for critical vendors (Class I & II) and monitor SLA adherence.
• Escalate performance issues and lead corrective action plans in collaboration with stakeholders.
• Track and report vendor KPIs to ensure alignment with business objectives.
• Stakeholder Engagement & Leadership
• Act as a trusted advisor to business units on vendor strategy and decision-making.
• Provide guidance to Vendor Relationship Owners (VROs) and Vendor Engagement Leads (VELs) on process compliance and best practices.
• Champion continuous improvement initiatives to enhance vendor management efficiency and effectiveness.

Benefits

• Competitive Pay , including a Bonus Target or Variable Pay Incentive Program
• Benefits Package -Medical, Dental, and Vision (plus much more)
• 401(k) Plan with Company Match
• Short- & Long-Term Disability
• Wellness Programs
• Group Life and AD&D Insurance
• Paid Vacation, Sick Days and bank Holidays
• Employee Engagement Activities including Employee Appreciation Day, DEI Employee Resource Groups, Corporate Social Responsibility, Service Recognition

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level