Vendor Management Specialist

Charles River Laboratories•Charleston, SC

40d•Onsite

About The Position

For 75 years, Charles River employees have worked together to assist in the discovery, development and safe manufacture of new drug therapies. When you join our family, you will have a significant impact on the health and well-being of people across the globe. Whether your background is in life sciences, finance, IT, sales or another area, your skills will play an important role in the work we perform. In return, we'll help you build a career that you can feel passionate about. Job Summary BASIC SUMMARY: The Vendor Relationship Manager will be responsible for end-to-end management of instrument-focused vendor relationships from the Charleston, SC office (on-site). This involves serving as the primary liaison to foster strong partnerships, managing performance through periodic reviews, and coordinating internal and external communication. This role also handles all contract-related duties and acts as the point of escalation for critical issues.

Requirements

Strong negotiation skills and a proven track record of securing favorable terms.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to build rapport with vendors and internal stakeholders.
Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities to assess vendor performance and resolve complex issues.
Detail-oriented with strong organizational skills to manage multiple contracts and vendor relationships simultaneously.
Proficiency with vendor management software (VMS) and Microsoft Office Suite.
Familiarity with industry-specific regulations and quality standards (e.g., in the pharmaceutical, biotech, etc).
A bachelor's degree in: Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Finance, or related technical field.
A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in vendor management, procurement, sourcing, or related role.
Demonstrated experience in contract negotiation and management, including a solid understanding of Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and contractual terms.
Proven ability to build and maintain strong, positive relationships with third-party vendors
Experience in vendor selection and performance review processes, including the ability to analyze performance metrics and drive process improvements
Experience with change management and ensuring compliance with quality assurance (QA) and regulatory requirements, especially concerning supplier agreements.

Responsibilities

Manage the full lifecycle of vendor relationships, focusing on instruments and critical components.
Conduct periodic vendor performance reviews, communicating key performance metrics, and collaborating on process and service improvements.
Serve as the primary relationship owner, fostering a positive and collaborative partnership with vendors.
Act as the subject matter expert (SME) for all vendor contracts, conducting thorough contract reviews.
Collaborate cross-functionally with Product Management and key stakeholders to lead the onboarding and integration of new instrument vendors, ensuring strategic alignment, operational readiness, and seamless product delivery.
Coordinate internal subject matter experts (SMEs) to address specialized topics as needed.
Function as the primary escalation point for critical issues and customer pain points related to instruments.
Liaise with the Quality Assurance (QA) team on change management processes and ensure all Supplier Quality Agreements are in place.
Facilitate and coordinate cross-functional communication to ensure alignment.
Lead the vendor selection process, coordinating input from QA, finance, technical teams, and other critical stakeholders.