Senior IT Program Manager - Vendor Management
About The Position
The Technology Vendor Manager serves as a strategic partner and trusted advisor in managing the organization's technology vendor ecosystem. This role bridges business strategy, IT leadership, and vendor relationships to ensure technology investments deliver maximum value, are cost-optimized, and align with long-term capital and operating plans. The ideal candidate has a genuine passion for operational excellence and vendor management, strong communication and interpersonal skills, high analytical capability, and is highly capable of working independently and cross-functionally to meet operational and business objectives. This role collaborates with Operations, Architecture, and Sourcing to define vendor-specific requirements and oversee performance through KPIs and SLAs, with the agility to engage confidently with executives while working closely with technical teams and individual contributors.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in information technology, Business Administration, or related field (master's preferred)
- 8+ years of progressive experience in IT vendor management, sourcing, or technology strategy
- Skilled in project management, time management, and executive reporting
- Expertise in managing and optimizing relationships with Tier-1 suppliers
- Ability to develop supplier strategies that align with business objectives and enhance supplier relations
- Proficiency in managing large-scale projects, including technology implementations and process improvements
- Proven ability to provide guidance and leadership to peers and teams
- Ability to work independently while contributing to broader team goals
- Strong understanding of IT contracts, vendor governance, and technology lifecycle management
- Demonstrated ability to manage multiple complex vendor relationships and restructure contracts to enhance value
- Strong experience in business case development and financial acumen, with cost optimization and contract strategy experience
- Excellent communication and presentation skills, with the ability to influence executives and collaborate with technical teams
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, managing competing priorities in a dynamic environment
- Knowledge of IT infrastructure, applications, cloud services, and emerging technologies highly desirable
Nice To Haves
- Master's degree in business, Engineering, Information Systems, or related discipline
- Professional certifications such as CPSM, CTPP, or ITIL
- Experience managing vendors within large, complex enterprises and multi-year investment planning cycles
- Experience with ERP, vendor management, or procurement tools (e.g., SAP Ariba, Coupa, ServiceNow, GEP)
- Knowledge of regulatory, compliance, and risk management considerations in IT vendor contracts
- Strong track record of driving innovation and value creation through vendor partnerships
Responsibilities
- Partner with sourcing, IT, architecture, finance, legal, and business teams to ensure vendor relationships contribute measurable results to performance objectives
- Develop and deliver innovative commercial models that contribute to CIO-level financial savings targets
- Establish and enhance Tier-1 and Tier-2 strategic supplier relationships; engage regularly with suppliers and their leadership
- Conduct periodic supplier reviews to discuss performance, document product roadmaps, and assess business needs
- Seek out disruptive technologies and opportunities to POC, partnering with IT stakeholders to rationalize the existing technology footprint
- Manage the full lifecycle of vendor relationships, including onboarding, governance, performance reviews, and contract compliance
- Develop quantitative analysis and reporting on supplier performance using KPIs and SLAs to drive accountability and continuous improvement
- Collaborate with Sourcing to develop negotiation strategies, optimize costs, and secure favorable contract terms
- Conduct Total Cost of Ownership analysis for vendor relationships, evaluating direct and indirect costs to inform decision-making
- Understand vendor-driven spend forecasts segmented into Capital and Expense; present forecasts to Finance and IT Leadership
- Represent vendor strategy at both executive and operational levels, adapting communication style across audiences
- Proactively identify risks, opportunities, and innovation potential within the vendor ecosystem
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
