Senior Manager, Vendor Management

Sallie Mae • New Castle, DE

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Manager, Vendor Management is responsible for managing and optimizing vendor relationships to drive operational efficiency, achieve cost savings, and ensure the delivery of high-quality goods and services. The role manages agency partnerships and performance, sets monthly recovery goals, assesses and mitigates risk, collaborates with internal teams, and identifies opportunities to improve vendor processes and optimize costs.

Requirements

• Strong knowledge of vendor management principles, best practices, and industry trends.
• Excellent negotiation, contract management, and vendor relationship-building skills.
• Sound understanding of legal and regulatory requirements related to vendor management.
• Demonstrated ability to drive cost optimization initiatives and achieve measurable results.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including the ability to make data-driven decisions.
• Exceptional communication, influencing, and stakeholder management abilities.
• Proven track record of successfully managing multiple vendors and projects simultaneously.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• At least 2 years of experience in collections or related customer service roles, preferably in a financial or credit environment.
• Proficiency with collections software, customer relationship management (CRM) systems, and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to deliver presentations to senior leaders and large groups.

Nice To Haves

• Some college coursework in business or a related field.
• Bachelor's degree in business administration, supply chain management, or a related field; a master's degree is preferred.
• At least 6 years of experience in vendor management, procurement, or strategic sourcing, including at least 3 years in a senior management role.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain strong relationships with agencies and serve as the primary point of contact for agency-related matters.
• Work with agencies to understand their capabilities, align expectations, and build partnerships based on mutual trust and transparency.
• Conduct regular agency performance evaluations and provide feedback to support continuous improvement.
• Assign monthly recovery goals for all agencies.
• Implement risk mitigation strategies and agency risk assessments, and ensure adherence to risk management policies and procedures.
• Collaborate with procurement, legal, IT, and business units to align vendor management processes with organizational needs.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives for vendor management processes and practices.
• Proactively identify and address vendor-related issues, resolve conflicts, and mitigate risks.
• Monitor vendor costs, track expenditures, and identify cost optimization opportunities.

Benefits

• Competitive base salary
• Bonus incentives
• Generous paid time off, floating holidays, and 12 observed federal holidays
• Support for financial well-being and retirement
• 401(k) with employer match
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Hospital indemnity and critical illness coverage
• Pet insurance
• Employer-paid short-term and long-term disability insurance
• Employer-paid basic life insurance
• Flexible hybrid working arrangements
• Paid parental leave
• Adoption reimbursement programs
• Access to staffed on-site fitness centers in Delaware and a gym subsidy for locations outside Delaware
• Confidential counseling support through an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Health advocacy services
• Wellness program with financial incentives
• Tuition reimbursement
• Family scholarship programs
• Career development and training opportunities

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: High school or GED