Vendor Manager I/II

Job Summary The Vendor Manager (VM) is responsible for strategically managing vendor portfolios and vendor relationships which may vary in complexity, risk, size, and spend. 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. Essential Accountabilities 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 a designated business area to ensure vendor performance meets contractual obligations and business partner expectations. Performs monthly reviews with the business unit regarding vendor current activity and future plans and requirements for new vendor activity; shares 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 plans 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 impact 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 corporate privacy policies and procedures. Maintains knowledge of all relevant legislative and regulatory mandates and ensures compliance with these requirements. Mandatory regular and reliable attendance. Performs other functions as assigned by management. LevelII responsibilities: Manages vendor portfolios and relationships for medium‑sized units / portfolios with moderate complexity and risk. Directs formal governance framework to improve quality, delivery, support, flexibility, ease, cost, finances, risks, compliance, strategic partnership alignment and innovation for selected vendors. Supports management and the team in reviewing current processes and implementing improved procedures, techniques, and standards. Serves as a consultant on matters pertaining to budget development, procurement and vendor management. Manages multiple ongoing vendor‑related projects as assigned to meet business‑driven deadlines and commitments while maintaining high quality. Drives continuous improvement, cross‑functional customer relations and team building. Assists in coaching and mentoring LevelI Vendor Managers and Vendor Analysts. LevelIII responsibilities: Manages complex vendor portfolios and relationships for large‑size business units / portfolios with high risk. In partnership with business unit executives, leads development and execution of cost‑model optimization strategies, including alternative sourcing and vendor rationalization. Leads vendor management optimization activities and initiatives. Provides leadership for Corporate Enterprise priority projects. Leads review of current processes and implementation of improved procedures, techniques, and standards. May direct some activities of LevelI and II Vendor Managers and Analyst teams, including coaching & mentoring. LevelIV responsibilities: Manages highly complex vendor portfolios and relationships for large‑size business units / portfolios with very high risk. Accountable for recommending, developing, and implementing new processes, procedures, techniques, and standards. Champions Supplier Diversity initiatives internally and externally, influencing others to drive greater supplier diversity spend. Directs some activities of LevelI‑III Vendor Managers and Analysts, including coaching & mentoring. Proactively seeks out and drives continuous improvement in vendor management practices, processes, and policies, as well as departmental initiatives. Minimum Qualifications All Levels: Two (2) or more years of experience with vendors in sourcing, negotiating, contracting, and governance. Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Finance, IT, or related field preferred. Working knowledge of procurement modules of an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) tool. Experience driving and leading negotiations for low to medium‑complexity agreements. Experience executing competitive bids and negotiations with a track record of delivering cost efficiencies and value. Persuasive, effective communication and influence skills across all facets of relationship building, sourcing, negotiations, contracting, and governing vendors. Full‑cycle project management support experience. Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously. Proven ability to secure alignment and commitment with partners and stakeholders, ensuring deadlines are met while communicating risks and mandatory adjustments in a timely manner. Strategic thinking and execution of robust operational plans. Self‑motivated and self‑directed work under minimal oversight. Leadership or support of cross‑functional teams. Basic Microsoft Office proficiency. LevelII: Five (5) or more years of experience with vendors in sourcing, negotiating, contracting, and governance. Proficiency with ERP procurement modules. Experience driving and leading negotiations for moderate‑to‑complex agreements. Experience with strategic competitive bidding and negotiations achieving cost efficiencies across diverse enterprise sourcing activities. Strong data analysis and strategic thinking. Project leadership experience from inception to completion. Self‑sufficient decision‑making in setting objectives and approaches. Mandated leadership of cross‑functional teams, potentially directing the work of others. Advanced Microsoft Office proficiency. LevelIII: Seven (7) or more years of experience with top‑tier enterprise vendors in sourcing, negotiating, contracting, and governance. Advanced proficiency with ERP procurement modules. Demonstrated leadership in negotiations for complex agreements with top‑tier enterprise vendors. Advanced strategic bidding and negotiation track record delivering significant cost efficiencies and value across diverse sourcing activities. Poise in dealings with senior‑level management and contract professionals. Advanced presentation and teambuilding expertise. Subject‑matter expertise in one or more commodity categories. Advanced Microsoft Office proficiency. LevelIV: Ten (10) or more years of experience with top‑tier enterprise vendors in sourcing, negotiating, contracting, and governance. Exceptional ERP procurement proficiency. Proven leadership in negotiations for large, complex agreements with top‑tier enterprise vendors. Benchmark cost‑cutting and value‑creations through strategic competitive bidding. Executive‑level interaction experience. Superior strategic thinking and execution of robust operational plans. Expert knowledge in multiple commodity categories. Distinguished leadership, teambuilding, and self‑propelled self‑development. Advanced Microsoft Office proficiency. Previous mentoring and training experience. Physical Requirements Self‑standing or self‑seated at a workstation viewing a computer and using the keyboard, mouse, 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 required. Equal Opportunity Employer In support of the Americans with Disabilities Act, this job description lists only those responsibilities and qualifications deemed essential to the position. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. We aspire to reflect the communities we live in and serve, and strongly encourage people of color, LGBTQ+ people, people with disabilities, veterans and other underrepresented groups to apply. Salary range indicated below is one component of our total rewards package. Compensation Range LevelI (E3): Minimum: $62,400 – Maximum: $106,929 LevelII (E5): Minimum: $71,880 – Maximum: $129,384 #J-18808-Ljbffr