Vendor Management Specialist

Gruve•Hercules, CA

13h•$90,000 - $100,000

About The Position

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced professional to lead our Vendor Management Office (VMO). This role is responsible for managing the entire vendor lifecycle from requirements gathering and sourcing through contract execution, performance monitoring, and compliance. The ideal candidate will have strong negotiation skills, strategic sourcing expertise, and the ability to build and maintain collaborative relationships with key internal stakeholders and external partners.

Requirements

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain, Procurement, or related field.
10+ years of experience in vendor management, strategic sourcing, or contract management
Proven experience in negotiating and managing complex vendor contracts and relationships.
Strong project management, stakeholder engagement, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
Exceptional communication, presentation, and problem-solving abilities.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with vendor management tools is a plus.

Responsibilities

Manage the contract lifecycle (requirement management, vendor management, Contract execution and compliance, OTC, PO)
Establish and maintain a comprehensive vendor performance framework to ensure service delivery excellence and align with organizational objectives
Build and maintain strong vendor relationships, acting as the primary point of contact to resolve issues and ensure continuous improvement
Lead & host management forums for quarterly business reviews
Highly skilled in negotiation, securing favorable terms and conditions with vendors, ensuring efficiency targets were met and cost-saving objectives achieved
Lead the RFP and RFI processes to identify and select strategic vendors, ensuring that all solutions met operational and business requirements
Lead the negotiation of contract terms with vendors, ensuring they meet the company’s operational requirements and performance standards
Collaborated with key stakeholders across the organization to gather and align strategy requirements with overall business needs, ensuring seamless execution of procurement plans
Lead strategic sourcing initiatives, focus on cost efficiency, process optimization, and innovative solutions to meet business needs.
Ensure vendors are aligned with company policies and procedures and service delivery is always as per contractual agreement.