Vendor Manager - Global Telecom Expenses Management & Supplier Relationships

TELUS•Vancouver, BC

About The Position

Our Global Procurement & Supplier Management team is a strategic function within TPS that supports Telus' international expansion across North America, LATAM, APAC, EMEA, and emerging markets. We partner with key vendors to optimize costs, manage risk, and drive innovation across our telecom infrastructure. The work you do in this role directly influences which vendors become Telus' strategic partners, shapes contract terms that protect the organization, and drives the cost and quality outcomes that make our international growth sustainable. As Vendor Manager, you'll wear multiple hats: strategist, negotiator, analyst, and relationship builder. Your primary mission is to ensure Telus gets the best value and service from our global telecom suppliers while building partnerships that support long-term growth. This is a global role with true multi-regional responsibility — you won't be managing one geography; you'll orchestrate vendor relationships across five regions simultaneously, which means strategic thinking at scale.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Engineering, or related field, or equivalent professional experience in vendor management
Minimum 7 years in vendor management or procurement roles
Minimum 5 years managing global vendors and cross-border sourcing across multiple jurisdictions
Demonstrated experience in telecom, network infrastructure, or related technology industry with proven track record of understanding regulatory, technical, and operational nuances of telecom vendor relationships
Proven track record managing vendor relationships with multiple international suppliers across different geographies and regulatory environments
Demonstrated experience managing cost reduction initiatives with understanding of P&L impact
Working proficiency in SAP, Ariba, or equivalent procurement platforms (you don't need to be an expert, but comfort navigating the system is essential)
Strong financial acumen including P&L management, cost analysis, and budgeting
Fluency in contract management, negotiation, and familiarity with legal and compliance implications of multi-jurisdictional contracts
Proficiency in vendor scorecard and spend analysis tools
Intermediate to advanced Excel and business intelligence tools
Proven track record negotiating complex, multi-million-dollar contracts with vendors across different geographies and regulatory environments
Strategic thinking with ability to align vendor strategy to business objectives and international expansion roadmap
Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with comfort working with complex financial and operational data
Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills across executive, vendor, and cross-functional teams
Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities across global regions with competing deadlines
Cultural awareness and comfort working effectively across geographies and time zones. You approach cross-border challenges with curiosity and flexibility, have experience managing vendors from different cultures, and are comfortable working asynchronously.
Working knowledge of international trade regulations, tariffs, and compliance requirements
Knowledge of data protection and cybersecurity requirements in telecom (GDPR, local regulations)
Familiarity with anti-corruption laws (FCPA, Bribery Act) and ethical procurement practices

Nice To Haves

Previous experience in international expansion or geographic market entry initiatives
Experience leading strategic cost reduction or transformation programs with measurable financial impact ($10M+ preferred)
Experience with enterprise procurement systems implementation or optimization

Responsibilities

Develop and execute global vendor strategy aligned with Telus international expansion roadmap
Identify, evaluate, and onboard new telecom service providers and technology partners across North America, LATAM, APAC, EMEA, and emerging markets
Conduct vendor due diligence including financial stability, regulatory compliance, and capability assessments
Build long-term strategic partnerships with key vendors to drive innovation and cost efficiency
Manage vendor scorecards and performance metrics across service level, quality, delivery, and cost dimensions
Lead quarterly business reviews with strategic vendors; escalate performance issues and drive improvement plans
Negotiate complex, multi-million-dollar master service agreements, purchase agreements, and service level agreements with global suppliers, securing favorable payment terms, pricing locks, and protections against currency and regulatory risk
Navigate the complexity of multi-jurisdictional requirements including tax implications, local regulations, and data protection (GDPR, local privacy laws)
Manage contract lifecycle from procurement to renewal or termination
Coordinate with Legal and Finance teams on contract terms, risk allocation, and compliance requirements
Maintain centralized contract repository with version control and compliance tracking
Own spend visibility and cost optimization across international markets—identify consolidation and renegotiation opportunities through vendor consolidation, renegotiation, and market benchmarking
Implement spend visibility tools and analytics to track vendor expenses by category, region, and cost center
Develop and manage vendor budgets with direct accountability for cost variance analysis and cost forecasting
Lead procurement initiatives for major capex projects including network equipment, infrastructure deployment, and technology upgrades
Optimize pricing through volume leverage, multi-year agreements, and competitive bidding processes
Prepare spend reports and recommendations for senior leadership
Serve as primary point of contact for key strategic vendors; manage escalations and resolve disputes in a timely and professional manner
Partner closely with Finance, Legal, and regional operations teams to align vendor strategy with business priorities
Represent Telus at industry forums, vendor conferences, and trade shows
Communicate vendor requirements, roadmap changes, and performance expectations clearly and consistently