Procurement and Vendor Operations Associate Director

Associate Director Procurement Operations And Vendor Management

We are looking for a highly skilled and experienced Associate Director to lead Procurement Operations and Vendor Management within Vertex's BPO-enabled operating model. In this pivotal role, the Associate Director will serve as the senior governance and relationship lead and is the accountable owner of Procurement Operations service delivery across PR-to-PO processing, Procurement Service Desk, and Vendor Master Data Management for outsourced procurement operations, ensuring the BPO partner delivers against contractual commitments, service targets, and strategic procurement objectives.

The ideal candidate is a dynamic leader with deep expertise in end-to-end Procure-to-Pay processes, BPO governance, and continuous improvement. The ability to collaborate across Finance, Procurement Category Management, Legal, and business stakeholders is essential for success in this role. This role has end-to-end accountability for outcomes, including service performance, vendor adherence to contract and SLAs, controls effectiveness, and audit readiness. The role leads through others, balancing strong external partnership with firm governance, and ensures Procurement Operations are stable, compliant, scalable, and aligned to business expectations.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the governance framework for outsourced procurement operations, including requisition-to-PO activities, procurement service desk, vendor master data management, and vendor inquiry support.
• Monitor BPO performance against contractual SLAs and KPIs (e.g., cycle time, touchless PO rate, policy compliance); manage service credits and escalation protocols.
• Lead quarterly business reviews (QBRs) and executive steering committee sessions with BPO partner leadership.
• Act as the primary point of contact for matters with stakeholders, including the BPO, vendors, business partners and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Build a collaborative partnership with BPO provider leadership and align service delivery priorities with Vertex's business objectives.
• Represent Procurement Operations performance in senior governance, audits, and business reviews.

• Ensure adherence to procurement policies, approval matrices, and buying channel strategies across all BPO-delivered activity.
• Reinforce procurement policies, including "No PO, No Pay."
• Monitor maverick spend and drive continuous improvements in policy compliance.
• Partner with Category Management to align operational execution with sourcing strategies.
• Act as senior liaison to Accounts Payable, Finance, Internal Audit, and Procurement leadership to resolve cross-functional issues impacting PR-to-Pay performance or compliance.

• Oversee BPO-delivered procurement operations including requisition review, PO creation, change orders, and inquiries.
• Serve as senior escalation point for complex vendor, requisition, and PO issues not resolved at the BPO level.

Ensure appropriate controls are embedded within requisition-to-PO workflows and that Procurement Operations processes operate in compliance with SOX, internal controls, and audit expectations.

• Validate BPO performance reporting and ensure transparency of service metrics using BI and reporting tools.
• Provide clear, fact-based communication on risks, performance, and improvement plans.
• Oversee invoicing, rate validation, and commercial compliance with contract terms.
• Identify cost optimization and productivity improvement opportunities within the outsourcing arrangement.

• Drive automation, catalog adoption, self-service enablement, and workflow simplification initiatives in partnership with the BPO.
• Benchmark procurement operations performance against industry standards.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement within the Procurement Operations function.
• Ensure value realization from the outsourcing strategy.

• Monitor regulatory compliance, data protection, and internal control adherence within procurement operations.
• Identify operational and contractual risks and implement mitigation strategies.
• Support audit and compliance activities related to procurement operations.

• Lead, mentor, and develop the Procurement Operations team (internal and BPO-side) to achieve departmental and organizational goals.
• Conduct regular performance reviews and provide coaching to support professional growth.
• Set priorities, performance expectations, and accountability across internal and external teams.
• Drive and manage change initiatives to improve processes and achieve business objectives.
• Develop operational leadership capability and succession readiness.

Education and Experience

• 8–12+ years of experience in Procurement Operations, Vendor Master, Procure-to-Pay, Shared Services, or outsourced delivery environments, with leadership experience in highly visible roles with enterprise-level accountability. Demonstrated ownership of third-party service delivery and vendor governance required.
• Experience supporting large-scale outsourcing transitions preferred.
• Completion of a professional certification or examination in a relevant field is preferred (e.g., CPSM, CIPS).
• Familiarity with Source-to-Pay agentic orchestration layers is preferred
• A global perspective with the ability to navigate and manage cross-cultural and international business environments effectively.
• Strong experience with SOX, audit, and operational controls required.

Skills and Competencies

• Deep understanding of end-to-end Procure-to-Pay processes, policies, and best practices.
• Strong vendor governance, contract management, and negotiation skills.
• Knowledge of procurement systems, guided buying platforms, and ERP systems (e.g., Oracle, Coupa, SAP).
• Proficiency in data analysis and reporting tools (e.g., BI platforms, Excel).
• Strong stakeholder management, change management, and executive communication capabilities.
• Analytical mindset with the ability to interpret and act on operational metrics.
• Experience with continuous improvement methodologies (Lean/Six Sigma) a plus.

Key Attributes

• Strong leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills, with the ability to inspire teams and external partners.
• Proven ability to thrive under pressure, meet tight deadlines, and manage competing priorities efficiently.
• High level of integrity and commitment to compliance, accuracy, and operational excellence.
• Results-driven with a focus on continuous improvement and value realization.
• Proactive in escalating critical issues to appropriate business leaders when necessary.
• Collaborative and adaptable, with a global mindset and the ability to work across diverse teams and cultures.