Build Vendor Manager

telMAX•Markham, ON

17h•CA$80,000 - CA$100,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Reporting to the VP of Engineering, Locates, and Construction, the Build vendor manager is responsible for the end-to-end oversight, performance management, and strategic governance of all third-party vendors supporting construction, engineering, and public/dedicated locate activities. This role ensures vendors operate in alignment with contractual obligations, service level expectations, regulatory requirements, and organizational standards. The incumbent leads procurement, negotiations, reporting, financial controls, relationship management, and continuous improvement initiatives that drive operational excellence and cost efficiency across the three vendor-supported programs. This position collaborates closely with internal teams including Construction, Engineering, Finance, Legal, and Supply Chain, to support project delivery, ensure compliance, and uphold service quality across all vendor engagements.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain, Engineering, Construction Management, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
5–7 years of experience managing vendors, procurement, or contract administration, preferably in construction, engineering, or utility locating.
Strong knowledge of procurement practices, vendor governance, and contract management principles.
Proficiency with procurement systems, contract management platforms, and reporting tools.
Strong financial analysis skills, including cost modeling and variance analysis.
Understanding of construction workflows, engineering processes, and public/dedicated locate operations.
Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management abilities.
Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving skills, and attention to detail.
Demonstrated leadership capabilities with the ability to influence without direct authority.
High level of professionalism, integrity, and commitment to operational excellence.

Nice To Haves

Experience with telecommunications, underground utility infrastructure, or locate programs is considered an asset.

Responsibilities

Oversee all vendors providing construction, engineering, and public/dedicated locate services, ensuring contractual compliance and high-quality performance.
Establish, monitor, and enforce Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), Service Level Agreements (SLAs), and operational standards.
Conduct regular vendor business reviews, audits, and performance evaluations.
Develop and implement vendor performance Scorecard and improvement plans.
Lead end-to-end procurement activities including sourcing, RFP development, bid evaluation, vendor selection, and contract negotiations.
Administer contracts, renewals, amendments, and rate adjustments in collaboration with Legal and Supply Chain teams.
Evaluate vendor pricing models and negotiate cost-effective agreements while maintaining operational requirements and service quality.
Track vendor spending, validate invoices, reconcile discrepancies, and enforce financial accountability.
Develop and maintain reporting dashboards for vendor performance, cost trends, operational metrics, and compliance indicators.
Provide executive-level reporting and recommendations to support budgeting, forecasting, and strategic planning.
Support escalations related to vendor performance, service delays, safety issues, or regulatory non-compliance.
Ensure vendors follow all safety protocols, legislative requirements, and industry standards, including One Call regulations for locate providers.
Build and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with vendor partners to support long-term success and strategic alignment.
Serve as the primary point of contact for vendor communications, conflict resolution, and escalation management.
Foster a partnership-focused environment that emphasizes transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Develop and enforce vendor governance frameworks, standard operating procedures, and quality control mechanisms.
Identify risks related to vendor performance, service delivery, or compliance, and implement mitigation strategies.
Ensure alignment with corporate policies, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices.