Vendor Manager (Fixed Income)

Raymond James•Saint Petersburg, FL

8d•Onsite

About The Position

This role is responsible for managing a large portfolio of vendors (200+) and contracts, leading negotiations, and ensuring vendors deliver against performance, cost, and risk expectations. The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced environment with competing priorities and brings a strong balance of commercial acumen, risk awareness, and relationship management.

Requirements

Bachelor’s: Business Administration (Required)
General Experience - 6 to 10 years
Financial acumen, including budgeting, forecasting, and cost control
Knowledge of financial markets and products
Knowledge of contract law
Strong contract negotiation skills with experience managing high-volume vendor relationships
Proven experience administering and monitoring vendor services against contractual agreements
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail
Excellent organizational and time management skills
Effective written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to tailor messaging to different audiences
Ability to balance commercial objectives with risk management considerations
Ability to influence and build consensus across stakeholders with differing priorities
Ability to deliver on tight deadlines
Ability to balance conflicting resource and priority demands
Ability to partner with other functional areas to accomplish objectives
Ability to facilitate meetings, ensuring that all viewpoints, ideas and problems are addressed.
Ability to incorporate needs, wants and goals from different business unit perspectives into operational processes
Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively within a team environment
Ability to multitask effectively
Ability to evaluate products and services to continually drive quality of customer experience

Responsibilities

Manage a portfolio of vendor contracts and service-level agreements (SLAs), including negotiation, execution, and ongoing oversight
Lead complex contract negotiations, including pricing, terms, and performance standards, ensuring alignment to business needs and risk considerations
Monitor vendor performance, ensuring service delivery meets contractual obligations and business expectations; proactively address issues and drive remediation
Identify, assess, and manage vendor-related risks, escalating concerns as appropriate
Partner closely with business stakeholders to understand evolving needs, prioritize initiatives, and deliver solutions on time
Manage departmental budgets related to vendor spend, including forecasting, tracking, and cost optimization opportunities
Coordinate the end-to-end vendor lifecycle, from vendor selection and onboarding through payment and ongoing management
Develop and deliver clear, tailored communications and reporting for stakeholders across varying levels of the organization
Manage multiple projects simultaneously in a dynamic environment with shifting priorities
Meet with suitable vendors to assess their products, inquire about their services, negotiate pricing, and communicate any product or service-related concerns.
Conduct research on available vendors to determine which vendors offer the best pricing and product quality.