IT Vendor Manager, Strategic Suppliers

Medtronic•Mounds View, MN

7d•$134,400 - $201,600•Onsite

About The Position

The IT Vendor Manager, Strategic Suppliers, leads the direction and execution of Medtronic’s vendor management strategy for a subset of its top hardware, software, and telecom suppliers. Working with Global IT capability leaders, internal customers, and shared service partners, the role advances governance and partnerships across key IT supplier relationships. Reporting to the VP, VMO, the manager oversees 8–10 strategic suppliers and pursues sustained improvements in cost, quality, risk mitigation, and innovation. This high-visibility position covers supplier lifecycle management, including asset, contract, resource, and financial optimization. It combines vendor governance with strategy, market insight, and continuous improvement. The role is based at Medtronic’s facility in Mounds View, Minnesota, with onsite work four days per week and approximately 5% travel. The position is part of a global team that governs the company’s top strategic suppliers. It uses performance measures such as SLAs, KPIs, and customer satisfaction, alongside executive sponsorship, supplier roadmaps, industry perspectives, and executable AI, automation, and innovation use cases. The role is eligible for the Medtronic Incentive Plan. Medtronic describes its benefits package as including health and insurance coverage, retirement plans, paid time off and holidays, tuition assistance, employee stock purchase, and well-being resources, subject to employee eligibility and plan terms.

Requirements

At least 5 years of experience with a bachelor’s degree, or at least 3 years of experience with an advanced degree.
For baccalaureate degrees earned outside the United States, a degree that satisfies the requirements of 8 C.F.R. § 214.2(h)(4)(iii)(A) is required.

Nice To Haves

At least 8 years of experience in some combination of IT operations, procurement, or vendor management, with contractual performance management and supplier influence as core responsibilities.
At least 6 years working with IT suppliers, particularly large strategic companies such as Microsoft, SAP, AWS, or Verizon.
Experience using vendor management data, including SLAs, KPIs, and financials, to measure supplier performance and hold suppliers accountable to defined standards.
Experience working with global teams in a follow-the-sun model across APAC, EMEA, and the Americas.
Strong written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills for working with internal customers and IT suppliers.
Ability to influence internal and external stakeholders using an objective, data-driven approach.
An optimistic, solution-focused approach and a belief in finding better, faster, and more cost-effective ways to deliver.
Experience working with IT companies in customer-supplier contexts where vendor management was a key part of the role.
Experience working with multinational firms, customers, or leadership teams and communicating and influencing across cultures and time zones.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills for maintaining effective relationships and long-term partnerships with internal and external teams.

Responsibilities

Develop and improve the vendor management strategy for a subset of Global IT hardware, software, and telecom suppliers, considering cost, quality, substitutes, platforms and standards, competitive leverage, and market dynamics.
Collaborate with Global IT leadership, internal customers, and shared service teams, including Finance, Legal, and Sourcing, to align strategy with execution.
Provide programmatic governance of strategic suppliers and drive measurable performance improvements through SLAs, KPIs, and value-added partnership activities.
Build and maintain relationships with 8–10 strategic suppliers, including executive sponsors, product and delivery leads, and sales and service account teams.
Use supplier relationships to map priorities, influence outcomes, and ensure Medtronic’s needs are met.
Communicate past, present, and future IT narratives effectively and use objective, data-driven performance reviews and feedback to improve product and service delivery.
Deliver year-over-year quality and performance improvements measured through monthly SLA/KPI metrics and customer satisfaction scores.
Deliver year-over-year financial value through cost savings, cost avoidance, and supplier-driven AI, automation, process, and resource efficiency.

Benefits

Competitive salary and flexible benefits package.
Short-term incentive eligibility through the Medtronic Incentive Plan (MIP).
Health, dental, and vision insurance for eligible regular employees working 20 or more hours per week.
Health Savings Account and Healthcare Flexible Spending Account for eligible regular employees working 20 or more hours per week.
Life insurance and long-term disability leave for eligible regular employees working 20 or more hours per week.
Dependent daycare spending account for eligible regular employees working 20 or more hours per week.
Tuition assistance or reimbursement for eligible regular employees working 20 or more hours per week.
Simple Steps global well-being program for eligible regular employees working 20 or more hours per week.
Incentive plans for regular employees.
401(k) plan with employer contribution and match for regular employees.
Short-term disability for regular employees.
Paid time off and paid holidays for regular employees.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan for regular employees.
Employee Assistance Program for regular employees.
Non-qualified Retirement Plan Supplement, subject to IRS earning minimums.
Capital Accumulation Plan for Vice Presidents and above, or subject to IRS earning minimums.