Data Center Vendor Specialist

Vendor Specialist

Salute is a leading provider of cutting-edge Data Center Infrastructure Services, dedicated to serving data center clients worldwide. We pride ourselves on delivering sustainable solutions, unparalleled reliability, and outstanding customer service. As we continue to grow, we are seeking a dynamic and experienced Vendor Specialist to join our team and drive our relationships with hyperscale clients to new heights.

Salute Benefits That Put You First

We know life doesn't stop when work begins, that's why we offer perks designed to support your well-being, your family, and your future:

• Time to Recharge: Enjoy 8 company-paid holidays , 2 floating holidays , and PTO so you can rest, celebrate, and take care of what matters most.
• Comprehensive Benefits Package: Including Medical, Dental, and Vision that you can enroll in starting on Day 1. Coverage begins the first of the month following 30-days of employment.
• Peace of Mind: The Employee Assistance Program is available to all employees, even if you do not participate in the benefits package.
• Your financial future matters: Enjoy our employer-supported 401(K) with immediate 100% vesting, plus a 3% employer match and a 50% match on the next 2%.
• Wellness Support: Access to HSA , mental health resources, and gym discounts -because your health matters.
• Extra Protection & Perks: Through discounted group programs, such as legal services , home & auto insurance , pet insurance , and ID theft protection for life's unexpected moments.

Location: Montgomery AL

Hours: Monday - Friday | Standard Business Hours | Flexibility to include evenings, weekends, and holidays.


Vendor Specialist:

The Vendor Specialist plays a crucial role in managing the relationships between Salute, the customer and its suppliers. This role is responsible for maintaining the established vendor management program under the direction of the Director of Vendor Management, with a dotted line to the Data Center Critical Facilities Manager of Engineering. The scope of the vendor management program covers the complete lifecycle of contractor relationships including vendor identification, assessment, onboarding, KPI tracking, Finance coordination, contract renewals, and offboarding. Under limited direct supervision, the Vendor Specialist upholds the highest standards of integrity for business relationships and maximizes the value of every contract carried out.


ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Ensure contract requests align with company guidelines, track with operations department needs, and maintain good financial judgement.
• Develop and maintain a comprehensive database of vendor information, including contact details, services offered, and performance records.
• Track and report on purchase orders and vendor invoicing activity as part of vendor management processes.
• Coordinate with Finance on prebilling confirmation or related inquiries where applicable.
• Be the subject matter expert for all department contracts, including the administration of a contract repository and expiration tracker.
• Evaluate requests for vendor relationships from internal stakeholders, guide them through the standard framework for vendor onboarding, and provide comparative analysis to support a well-informed contract awarding process without bias.
• Coordinate with Compliance and Legal on requested changes to standard contract language, ensuring documentation and version control are maintained.
• Maintain an agreed upon cadence with the Account Coordinator/Finance Team to review and align payable and receivables with active vendor contracts, ensuring tracking and communication between Vendor Management and Finance.
• Assist site team with budgeting and forecasting activities by providing current data via trackers and historical documents.
• Be the central resource for the site team on contract procedures, concepts, policies, and changes to the same as it relates to vendor management.
• Collaborate with vendor management leadership to execute, renew, and terminate vendor contracts as needed by internal stakeholders in accordance with internal policies.
• Completes administrative tasks including, but not limited to, financial metrics, reporting, reconciliations, audits, and regulatory compliance.
• Facilitate communication between vendors and internal departments to address and resolve any issues or concerns.

Competencies:

• Must have excellent communication skills (verbal/written), organization, and strong customer service. Good grammar, content creation skills, and the ability to take accurate notes and translate them into action(s) as required.
• Must be capable of handling multiple simultaneous tasks under pressure while maintaining strong customer service and professionalism. Ability to maintain composure and calm demeanor under pressure.
• Exceptional accuracy and attention to detail.
• Flexibility, including the willingness and ability to readily respond to changing circumstances and expectations.
• Solid work ethic and integrity, able to work effectively and be self-directed.
• Provide exceptional client and vendor relationships, ensuring success with our preferred suppliers.

Work Environment:


Essential duties are predominantly done inside in a corporate office setting in climate-controlled conditions.


Physical Demands:

Limited to typical office tasks.


Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.


Required Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, accounting, legal studies, finance, or a related area of study

• A minimum of four years of related work experience, preferably including property management, supply chain management, accounting, or vendor management

• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, including MS Excel, Outlook, (etc.)

• Familiarity with strategic sourcing processes.

Preferred Education and Experience:

• Certified Professional Contract Manager (CPCM™) certification.

• Development of new processes for quality and efficiency.

• Experience working in facilities management, critical facilities, or data centers.

Additional Eligibility Qualifications:

• Must be willing to submit to a full criminal background check, results of which may or may not bar employment, in accordance with applicable state and federal laws.

Site Location: We operate a 24-hour facility where work hours (shifts) are assigned as needed to ensure job functions are performed satisfactorily, compliance is maintained, and the company operates efficiently. Certain positions, as specified in your offer letter, may require working irregular hours, such as nights, weekends, overtime, alternating shifts, and under various conditions, including outdoor work during extreme weather or in hazardous environments.

This description does not cover all duties that may be required. Employees must follow any job-related instructions and perform other duties as assigned. Successful performance requires these necessary skills, aptitudes, and abilities.

If you are a motivated and results-driven individual with a passion for data center services and a knack for building strong client relationships, we want to hear from you. Join us in revolutionizing the data center industry and apply today!


Salute is an equal opportunity employer committed to celebrating diversity, creating an inclusive environment for all employees, and providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants; if you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, perform essential job functions, or receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact our Human Resources department at View email address on click.appcast.io for more information.


Salute is an equal opportunity employer committed to celebrating diversity, creating an inclusive environment for all employees, and providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants; if you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, perform essential job functions, or receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact our Human Resources department at View email address on click.appcast.io for more information. (For recruiting specific questions, please contact View email address on click.appcast.io )

Compensation & Benefits Disclosure
The base hourly range for this role is $34.00 to 39.00/hour This range reflects a good-faith estimate of what we reasonably expect to pay upon hire, based on factors such as skills, experience, education, and market/location. Our comprehensive benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance, Health Savings Account (HSA), gym discount, mental health, Discounted Group Life & AD&D, Discounted Group Short & Long-term Disability, 401(k) retirement matching, PTO/paid holidays, and parental leave. Final compensation will be determined by job-related factors consistent with applicable law.