technology vendor relationship manager (Seattle, WA - U.S.)

Starbucks•Seattle, WA

6d•Onsite

About The Position

This role contributes to Starbucks’ strategic success by building, maintaining, and improving relationships with business-critical, high-value, and high-dependency technology vendors and internal stakeholders. The Technology Vendor Relationship Manager evaluates vendors for selection, ensures contractual performance obligations are met, supports strategic objectives, and manages underperforming relationships back to health. The role is aligned to a Starbucks Technology vertical, such as Retail, Partner Resources, or Customer Technology, and develops knowledge of that vertical’s long-term vision to manage vendors in the context of its technology ecosystem. Where applicable, the role helps vendors collaborate to achieve expected business results. The manager develops and formalizes vendor relationships, leads business and performance reviews, measures relationship performance and stakeholder satisfaction, and sets goals for continuous improvement. The position also oversees contracts, vendor escalations, recovery programs, reporting, and participation in vendor selection and contract negotiations. It partners with global counterparts on global vendor relationships and technology expansion, and contributes to improvements in vendor management practices and standards. The role is based in Seattle, Washington, and is onsite four days per week. Starbucks offers eligible partners a range of insurance, leave, retirement, stock, education, and other benefits.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in general business, economics, psychology, science, technology, engineering, or mathematics.
5+ years of experience in the specific field or using designated skills.
Experience managing relationships with multiple technology vendors.
Knowledge or skills in technology vendor management, interpersonal relationship and dispute resolution, technology market landscape, presentations, project management, contract management, negotiation, and analysis.
Ability to manage multiple priorities, maintain a high commitment to quality, work as a self-starter, solve problems, and make decisive decisions.
Proven diplomacy and problem-solving skills.
Strong critical-thinking skills, a curious mindset, and strategic agility.
Ability to work in a high-energy, fast-paced environment.

Responsibilities

Identify, develop, and formalize relationships with multiple vendors.
Maintain knowledge of the assigned Technology vertical to align vendor relationships with strategic technology and business priorities.
Develop and lead Quarterly Business Reviews, Monthly Performance Reviews, Executive Briefings, and the Annual CTO Vendor Forum.
Manage and measure the overall relationship between internal technology teams and the vendor.
Provide coaching, direction, and leadership to align business and operational topics.
Assess internal technology and business satisfaction through vendor scorecards.
Set relationship goals and advocate for continuous improvement.
Model effective collaboration with vendors for internal teams.
Facilitate and maintain relationships among managed vendors, executive sponsors, and technology teams.
Manage escalation and arbitration of relationship and operational issues when other avenues fail.
Launch and manage vendor 'Get Well' programs until performance stability is achieved.
Guide effective communication between the organization and managed vendors.
Partner with global counterparts to manage global vendor relationships and support global expansion of vendors’ technologies.
Contribute to continuous improvement of Vendor Management practices and standards.
Influence vendor strategy using knowledge of vendors, competitors, market trends, and pricing models.
Promote optimization, innovation, and engagement with vendors’ top thought leaders to maximize relationship value.
Participate as a key stakeholder in RFP evaluations and vendor selection, and in defining contractual terms related to performance and resiliency.
Connect business objectives to vendor performance management metrics.
Oversee contracts and hold managed vendors accountable for contractual obligations.
Conduct analysis and provide vendor reports and dashboards.

Benefits

Medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance, and other voluntary insurance benefits.
Short-term and long-term disability.
Paid parental leave and family expansion reimbursement.
Paid vacation from date of hire and accrued sick time.
Eight paid holidays and two personal days per year.
Eligible participation in a 401(k) retirement plan with employer match.
Discounted company stock program (S.I.P.) and Starbucks equity program (Bean Stock).
Incentivized emergency savings and financial well-being tools.
100% upfront tuition coverage for a first-time bachelor’s degree through Arizona State University’s online program via the Starbucks College Achievement Plan.
Student loan management resources and access to other educational opportunities.
Backup care and DACA reimbursement.