Vendor Manager

Core
42, a leader in AI-powered cloud and digital infrastructure, is driving transformative technology solutions globally. Leveraging advanced resources and partnerships, Core
42 empowers clients to harness sovereign AI infrastructure, especially in sectors with stringent regulatory needs. With a mission to redefine digital transformation, we combine sovereign capabilities with scalable, high-performance compute infrastructure, positioning itself at the forefront of AI innovation in the Middle East and beyond.

The Vendor Manager owns Core
42's strategic supplier relationships, supplier governance framework, onboarding function and supplier performance management programme. The role ensures suppliers are effectively onboarded, governed, measured and developed throughout their lifecycle.

Working closely with Supply Chain, Contracts, Finance, Legal, Compliance and business stakeholders, the Vendor Manager strengthens supplier partnerships, mitigates risk, improves supplier experience and maximises value across Core
42's supplier ecosystem. The role also leads the Vendor Management team and serves as the primary relationship and escalation owner for designated strategic suppliers.

Develop and maintain strategic relationships with key suppliers, acting as the relationship owner for designated strategic partners.

Build supplier account plans, relationship maps, governance frameworks and engagement models.

Facilitate executive supplier meetings and strategic alignment discussions.

Drive supplier collaboration, innovation and continuous improvement initiatives.

Serve as the primary escalation point for supplier relationship matters.

Develop and maintain Core
42's supplier segmentation framework, classifying suppliers as strategic, preferred, operational or transactional.

Define governance requirements, engagement cadence and performance expectations for each supplier tier.

Establish executive sponsorship models and maintain supplier governance calendars and engagement plans.

Own the supplier onboarding and vendor lifecycle management framework.

Lead the Vendor Management team responsible for supplier onboarding, due diligence, governance and lifecycle activities.

Oversee supplier registration, qualification, onboarding, recertification and supplier master data controls.

Monitor onboarding cycle times, backlogs, service levels and stakeholder satisfaction.

Own the annual supplier governance and review calendar and lead Quarterly Business Reviews with strategic suppliers.

Prepare executive scorecards, supplier performance packs and governance dashboards.

Chair supplier performance and governance meetings, ensuring clear actions and accountability.

Maintain supplier KPIs, SLAs, scorecards and performance management frameworks.

Monitor supplier performance against contractual and operational commitments.

Identify underperforming suppliers and lead structured remediation programmes.

Identify opportunities for supplier consolidation, optimisation and capability development.

Drive supplier-led innovation and identify cost optimisation, efficiency and value-creation opportunities.

Facilitate development plans for strategic and underperforming suppliers.

Coordinate supplier risk assessments and mitigation activities and maintain supplier risk registers and governance reporting.

Support supplier business continuity and resilience reviews.

Monitor compliance with onboarding, due diligence and governance requirements.

Monitor supplier payment performance, aged invoices, overdue receipts and invoice-resolution metrics.

Engage business stakeholders to resolve receipt and invoice-processing delays.

Coordinate…