Vendor Manager I/II

Lifetime Benefit Solutions•Rochester, NY

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Vendor Manager (VM) is responsible for strategically managing vendor portfolios and vendor relationships which may vary in complexity, risk, size, and spend, etc. The incumbent acts as a strategic trusted advisor to the business unit and business partners and leads sourcing, selection, negotiations, contracting, and governance activities through proactive collaborative engagement with the business unit, cross functional stakeholders, and leaders. The Vendor Manager focuses on delivering improved vendor performance, competitive costs, balanced risk, enhanced vendor alignment, on-time execution, and optimal business partner alignment and satisfaction.

Requirements

Two (2) or more years of experience with vendors in the areas of sourcing, negotiating, contracting, and vendor governance (All Levels).
Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Finance, IT, or related field preferred (All Levels).
Working knowledge of procurement modules of an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) tool (All Levels).
Previous experience driving and leading negotiations for low to medium complexity agreements (All Levels).
Experience executing competitive bids and negotiations with a track record of delivering cost efficiencies and value (All Levels).
Persuasive effective communication with a demonstrated ability to build, influence, and execute in all facets of relationship building, sourcing, negotiations, contracting, and governing vendors (All Levels).
Full cycle project management support experience (All Levels).
Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously (All Levels).
Proven ability to secure alignment and commitment with partners and/or stakeholders, ensuring deadlines are met, while communicating risks and necessary adjustments in a timely manner (All Levels).
Demonstrated ability to think strategically and create, develop, and drive robust operational action plans (All Levels).
Ability to perform work with minimal oversight and as part of a team (All Levels).
Ability to support or lead cross-functional teams (All Levels).
Basic skills in Microsoft Office programs (All Levels).
Five (5) or more years of experience with vendors in the areas of sourcing, negotiating, contracting, and vendor governance (Level II).
Proficiency with procurement modules of an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) tool (Level II).
Experience driving and leading negotiations for moderate to complex agreements (Level II).
Experience executing strategic competitive bids and negotiations with a track record of delivering cost efficiencies and value across a diverse portfolio of enterprise sourcing activities (Level II).
Strong data analysis and strategic thinking skills (Level II).
Project leadership experience that involves management of projects from inception to completion (Level II).
Ability to work independently, including exercising considerable decision-making skills in determining objectives and approaches (Level II).
Ability to lead cross-functional teams, possibly directing the work of others (Level II).
Strong skills in Microsoft Office programs (Level II).
Seven (7) or more years of experience with top tier enterprise vendors in the areas of sourcing, negotiating, contracting, and vendor governance (Level III).
Advanced proficiency with procurement modules of an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) tool (Level III).
Demonstrated experience driving and leading negotiations for complex agreements with top tier enterprise vendors (Level III).
Advanced experience executing strategic competitive bids and negotiations with a track record of delivering significant cost efficiencies and value across a diverse portfolio of enterprise sourcing activities (Level III).
Demonstrated tact and poise in dealing with senior-level management and contract professionals (Level III).
Advanced presentation skills and advanced teambuilding skills (Level III).
Subject matter expert in one or more categories / commodities (Level III).
Advanced skills in Microsoft Office programs (Level III).
Ten (10) or more years of experience with top tier enterprise vendors in the areas of sourcing, negotiating, contracting, and vendor governance (Level IV).
Expertise with procurement modules of an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) tool (Level IV).
Demonstrated experience driving and leading negotiations for large complex agreements with top tier enterprise vendors (Level IV).
Proven expertise executing strategic competitive bids and negotiations with a track record of delivering benchmark cost efficiencies and value across a diverse portfolio of enterprise sourcing activities (Level IV).
Demonstrated tact and poise in dealing with executive level management and contract professionals (Level IV).
Exceptional ability to think strategically and create, develop, and drive robust operational action plans (Level IV).
Subject matter expert in multiple categories / commodities (Level IV).
Highly polished presentation skills, expert teambuilding and robust leadership skills (Level IV).
Expertise in Microsoft Office programs (Level IV).
Previous experience in mentoring and training (Level IV).

Responsibilities

Manages vendor portfolios and vendor relationships for small size business units / vendor portfolios with low complexity and risk.
Owns all aspects of the vendor relationship for designated business area to ensure vendor performance meets contractual obligations and business partner expectations.
Performs monthly reviews with business unit regarding vendor current activity and future plans and requirements for new vendor activity; share industry vendor insight on cost drivers, negotiation levers, competitors, and industry trends.
Provides required vendor management support for business unit ongoing operational activities and projects.
Annually updates and formally reviews a business unit’s vendor portfolio summary report covering overall portfolio vendor activity volumes, financials, dates, plans, issues, risks, opportunities, trending and industry insight.
Facilitates upfront early engagement and initial planning with business units for ongoing renewals and new agreements.
Directs activities for business unit vendor portfolio agreements, including renewals, amendments, and new contracts to drive quality, on-time delivery, competitive costs, contract execution; identifies key issues and required corrective actions while facilitating and escalating as needed.
Leads, structures, and guides business units on major vendor sourcing, selection, negotiations, and contracting plan in partnership with internal stakeholders (Business Units, Legal, Finance, Security, EPMO, Sourcing, and Purchasing); facilitates management review and approval of plan scope, timing, costs, and sourcing approach; oversees overall plan execution per schedule.
Leads sourcing and selection activities as planned through RFx competition and/or direct negotiations with industry advisement, as necessary.
Leads commercial negotiations focused on vendor product and service obligations and competitive pricing by leveraging industry/benchmark pricing and advisement; formally tracks and reports negotiation results.
Facilitates Legal, Finance, Executive Management, and Purchasing timely review and approvals; identifies key on-time execution issues and required corrective actions while facilitating and escalating as needed.
Supports supplier diversity efforts with direct engagement of Minority and Woman owned businesses (MWBE) or through the development and capturing of second tier MWBE reporting.
Supports formal governance framework to drive improvement for quality, delivery and support, flexibility and ease, cost and financials, risks and compliances, strategic partnership alignment and innovation for select vendors.
Leads vendor escalations and contractual dispute resolutions by understanding the vendor’s contractual obligations and communicating appropriately with its stakeholders.
Provides required vendor management support for Corporate Enterprise projects.
Supports optimization of Vendor Management framework, process, data, system, reporting, and analytics.
Complies and understands corporate privacy policies and procedures that impacts member demographic information and internal stakeholders.
Consistently demonstrates high standards of integrity by supporting the Lifetime Healthcare Companies’ mission and values, adhering to the Corporate Code of Conduct, and leading to the Lifetime Way values and beliefs.
Maintains high regard for member privacy in accordance with the corporate privacy policies and procedures.
Maintains knowledge of all relevant legislative and regulatory mandates and ensures that all activities are in compliance with these requirements.
Regular and reliable attendance is expected and required.
Performs other functions as assigned by management.
Manages vendor portfolios and vendor relationships for medium sized units / vendor portfolios with moderate complexity and risk (Level II).
Directs formal governance framework to drive improvement for quality, delivery and support, flexibility and ease, cost and financials, risks and compliances, strategic partnership alignment and innovation for select vendors (Level II).
Supports management and team in review of current processes and implementation of improved processes, procedures, techniques and standards (Level II).
Serves as a consultant on matters pertaining to budget development, procurement and vendor management (Level II).
Manages multiple ongoing vendor related projects as assigned to meet business-driven deadlines and commitments while maintaining a high level of quality (Level II).
Drives continuous improvement, cross-functional customer relations and team building (Level II).
Assists in coaching and mentoring Level I Vendor Managers and Vendor Analysts (Level II).
Manages complex vendor portfolios and vendor relationships for large size business units / vendor portfolios with high risk (Level III).
In partnership with business unit executives, leads the development and execution of cost model optimization strategies including alternative sourcing and vendor rationalization (Level III).
Leads vendor management optimization activities and initiatives (Level III).
Provides vendor management leadership for Corporate Enterprise priority projects (Level III).
Leads team in review of current processes and implementation of improved processes, procedures, techniques and standards (Level III).
May direct some of the activities of Level I and II Vendor Managers and Vendor Analysts including coaching & mentoring (Level III).
Manages highly complex vendor portfolios and vendor relationships for large size business units / vendor portfolios with very high risk (Level IV).
Accountable for recommendations, development, and implementation of new processes, procedures, techniques, and standards (Level IV).
Champions Supplier Diversity initiatives internally and externally and influences others to drive greater supplier diversity spend (Level IV).
Directs some of the activities of Level I-III Vendor Managers and Vendor Analysts including coaching & mentoring (Level IV).
Proactively seeks out and drives continuous improvement in vendor management practices, processes, and policies, as well as departmental initiatives (Level IV).