Sourcing and Vendor Manager

Kauffman Foundation•Headquarters, KY

8d•Onsite

About The Position

At the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, we first listen to the communities we serve, tap into our learnings and relationships, and bring everyone together to build and support programs that improve education, boost entrepreneurship, and help Kansas City thrive. Sourcing and Vendor Manager The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation is a private, nonpartisan foundation that provides access to opportunities that help people achieve financial stability, upward mobility, and economic prosperity – regardless of race, gender, or geography. The Foundation uses its grantmaking, research, programs, affiliates, and initiatives to support the start and growth of new businesses, a more prepared workforce, and stronger communities. Our work is grounded in the principles of racial equity, diversity, and inclusion and is consistent with the aspirations of our founder, Ewing Marion Kauffman. Based in Kansas City, Missouri, the Kauffman Foundation is one of the largest foundations in the United States with an asset base of approximately $3 billion. While striving to have national impact and global reach, the Foundation is deeply committed to Kansas City, as evidenced by work on initiatives that reach into neighborhoods and enrich the community and quality of life in the region. For more information about the Foundation, please visit the website at www.kauffman.org. RESPONSIBILITIES The Sourcing and Vendor Manager serves as a strategic partner to teams across the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, supporting mission-driven work through collaborative, transparent, and relationship-centered sourcing practices. Reporting to the CFO, this role works closely across all teams to ensure vendor partnerships reflect the Foundation’s values and business needs. The Manager supports teams in securing high-quality partners that align with the Foundation’s mission by providing expertise in sourcing strategies, vendor relationships, and procurement processes that strengthen operational capacity and cross-functional effectiveness. This role serves as the central point of contact for vendor evaluation, selection and onboarding activities.

Requirements

Candidates for this position must be highly motivated, capable of self-direction, and able to work collaboratively in a team.
Candidates must exhibit a keen sense of responsibility and enjoy working with multiple demands, shifting priorities, and constant change.
Has strong analytical and evaluation skills with the ability to be objective and drive successful business outcomes.
Is familiar with legal/contractual documents, processes, negotiation, and influencing techniques.
Strong analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills; able to translate open-ended questions into clear analytical plans and independently produce high-quality analyses, reports, and presentations.
Demonstrated proficiency with procurement and contract management technology.
Demonstrated passion for advancing equitable and transformative solutions for the communities served by the Foundation, with clear alignment to the Kauffman Foundation’s credo, racial equity, diversity, and inclusion commitments, and strong ethical judgment.
Proven ability to work effectively within and across diverse teams, and with stakeholders at all levels from a wide range of industries and backgrounds.
Excellent communication skills, including strong interpersonal, written, and listening abilities; able to distill complex ideas into clear, concise, and actionable recommendations.
Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, prioritize effectively, and meet deadlines, with strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and understanding of project management tools and technology.
Strong Excel skills (e.g., formulas, statistical analysis, PivotTables) and proficiency with standard productivity tools (e.g., Microsoft Office, Box, Slack); experience with Tableau or Power BI and Salesforce preferred.

Responsibilities

Act as a trusted sourcing advisor to teams across the Foundation, helping them articulate needs, design procurement pathways, and identify vendors who can best support their work.
Provide early consultation on projects requiring external expertise or services, ensuring teams receive guidance tailored to their goals.
Support teams in developing scopes of work that set clear expectations for both staff and vendor partners.
Develop sourcing strategies that reflect cross-departmental goals, timelines, and mission alignment.
Conduct market research and engage vendor networks to support the diverse needs of Foundation teams.
Partner with Managing Associates (business owners) to lead competitive procurement processes (RFPs, RFIs, RFQs) in ways that create clarity, reduce staff workload, and enable efficient vendor participation.
Help internal teams interpret vendor proposals and weigh cost, quality, experience, and alignment.
Facilitate evaluation teams drawn from relevant departments to lead vendor due diligence.
Provide coaching on evaluation criteria, scoring practices, and responsible decision making.
Ensure clear documentation so that Managing Associates feel supported and informed throughout the vendor selection process.
Partner closely with Managing Associates and support teams to ensure contracts reflect shared goals and reduce administrative burden.
Lead or support negotiations that prioritize mutual benefit, clarity, and long-term success.
Ensure cross-functional alignment around deliverables, compliance expectations, and communication protocols.
Partner with internal teams to onboard vendors effectively, ensuring clarity around roles, responsibilities, communication norms, and deliverables.
Support teams in maintaining strong vendor relationships through regular check-ins and feedback loops.
Help identify emerging challenges early and co-create solutions with vendor partners.
Maintain a vendor knowledge base that provides helpful insights to internal stakeholders on past performance, partnership experience, and capacity.
Ensure sourcing and vendor management practices meet Foundation stewardship, compliance, and audit requirements.
Support teams in making informed decisions about risk when evaluating new or emerging vendors and develop risk mitigation strategies when possible.
Continuously improve sourcing workflows in partnership with cross-functional staff.
Develop templates, guides, tools, and training that make sourcing easier and more accessible across the Foundation.
Facilitate feedback loops where staff can share experiences to strengthen future sourcing processes.
Analyze sourcing data to identify patterns, opportunities, and areas where additional support may benefit Kauffman teams.
Conduct business reviews and manage formal scorecard activities to evaluate vendor effectiveness.
Deliver cost savings through strategic sourcing initiatives and negotiate favorable terms while optimizing vendor relationships.