Vendor Manager 2

Description Summary The Vendor Manager is responsible for managing vendor portfolios and vendor relationships for assigned business units. This role acts as a trusted advisor to the business unit and leads sourcing, selection, negotiations, contracting, and governance activities through proactive collaborative engagement. The Vendor Manager focuses on delivering improved vendor performance, competitive costs, balanced risk, enhanced vendor alignment, on-time execution, improved business partner alignment and satisfaction. Essential Accountabilities 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 trends. Facilitates upfront engagement and initial planning with business units for ongoing renewals and new agreements. Review vendor portfolio annually with business units covering overall vendor activity volumes, financials, dates, plans, issues, risks, opportunities and trending. Review priority vendors annually with business units covering vendor account contacts, financials, agreements list, vendor performance, strategic and tactical direction of vendor, issues, and risk as well as a view of current and planned vendor activities and trending. Directs life-cycle activities for unit vendor portfolio agreements, including renewals, amendments, and new contracts to drive quality, on-time, competitive costs, contract execution; identify key issues and required corrective actions while facilitating and escalating as needed. Lead vendor escalations and contractual dispute resolutions. 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, etc.); facilitates management review and approval of scope, timing, costs, and sourcing approach; oversee overall plan execution per schedule. Lead sourcing and selection activities as planned (RFx or direct negotiations with Industry Advisement, as applicable). Leads commercial negotiations focused on vendor product and service obligations and competitive pricing by leveraging industry pricing and advisement; formally tracks and reports negotiation results. Facilitates Legal, Finance, Executive Management, and Purchasing on-time review and approvals; identify key on-time execution issues and required corrective actions while facilitating and escalating as needed. 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. Conduct regular governance performance sessions for select vendors with the internal LTHC team and jointly with the vendor that includes review of scorecard results and vendor performance against contractual obligations. Facilitate the identification of any vendor performance gaps and the development of required vendor action plans to resolve. Monitor and report on vendor gap closure plans. Facilitate corporate scorecard participation and review process per policy. Owns all aspects of the vendor relationship for multiple vendors to ensure vendor performance is meeting contractual obligations and business partner expectations. Lead vendor formal escalations and resolution of disputes; resolves contractual and pricing issues with supplier executive leadership. Create and maintain a priority vendors summary covering vendor contacts, financials, agreements, vendor performance, strategic and tactical direction of vendor, issues, and risk as well as a view of current and planned vendor activities and trending. In partnership with business unit executives, lead the development and execution of cost model optimization strategies including alternative sourcing and vendor rationalization. Provides required vendor management support for Corporate Enterprise priority projects. Provides required vendor management support for business unit ongoing operational activities and projects. Support optimization of Vendor Management framework, process, data, system, reporting, and analytics. 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. Regular and reliable attendance is expected and required. Performs other functions as assigned by management. Minimum Qualifications Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, IT, Supply Chain Management or related field plus 5-7 years of experience with top tier Enterprise vendors in the areas of sourcing, negotiating, contracting, and vendor governance. In lieu of a degree, fifteen (7-10) years' experience in Business, Finance, IT, Supply Chain Management or related field, 5+ years of which working with top tier Enterprise vendors in the areas of sourcing, negotiating, contracting, and vendor governance. Demonstrated experience driving and leading negotiations for complex agreements with top tier Enterprise vendors. Strong, persuasive, and effective communication with a demonstrated ability to build, influence, and execute in all facets of relationship building, sourcing, negotiations, contracting, and governing vendors. Project leadership experience that involves management of projects from inception to completion. 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. Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously. Ability to think strategically and create, develop, and drive robust operational action plans. Ability to perform work with minimal oversight, including exercising considerable decision-making skills in determining objectives and approaches. Ability to function as lead on cross-functional teams, possibly directing the work of others. Skills in data analysis, strategic thinking, accuracy, attention to detail, and Microsoft Office programs. 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. Ability to manage complex competitive bid processes and major negotiations. Physical Requirements Ability to work while sitting and/or standing at a workstation viewing a computer and using a keyboard, mouse and/or phone for three (3) or more hours at a time. Ability to travel across the Health Plan service region for meetings and/or trainings as needed.