Vendor Management Lead

Description

Sargent & Lundy is a leading consulting engineering firm specializing in the power and energy sectors. Since 1891, we have provided comprehensive engineering, design, and consulting services for both traditional and renewable power generation, grid modernization, nuclear power, and beyond. Our mission is to help clients achieve their energy goals effectively by leveraging advanced technologies and adopting sustainable practices.

The Vendor Management Lead will define and mature Sargent & Lundy’s enterprise vendor strategy, balancing value creation, risk management, and operational excellence across software/SaaS, cloud, professional services, and hardware suppliers. This role combines strategic leadership, rigorous governance, and hands-on delivery to optimize cost, performance, and innovation across the vendor portfolio.

• Strategy & Vision
• Develop the enterprise vendor strategy and operating model aligned with business objectives, risk appetite, and value realization targets.
• Build a multi-year roadmap spanning supplier segmentation, category strategies, and technology enablement.
• Define KPIs/OKRs and value frameworks to measure savings, total cost of ownership (TCO), service quality, risk posture, and supplier innovation.

• Lead strategic sourcing and negotiations for priority categories (software/SaaS, cloud, professional services, hardware), driving competitive events, market scans, and should-cost analysis.
• Own RFP/RFQ processes and commercial terming, partnering with Legal on MSAs, SOWs, SLAs, pricing frameworks, and IP/data protection clauses.
• Create category playbooks and supplier strategies to balance competition, continuity, and innovation while managing demand and lifecycle costs.

• Establish and enforce the vendor governance framework, including policies, standards, onboarding/due diligence, ongoing monitoring, and exit planning.
• Operationalize third-party risk management (TPRM): security, privacy, and compliance assessments; control testing; remediation and exception handling.
• Maintain audit-ready records for vendor data and contracts; ensure adherence to SOX controls and regulatory requirements as applicable.

• Define and manage SLAs/KPIs, conduct QBRs/MBRs, and drive performance remediation and continuous improvement plans.
• Run value-realization programs to track savings, rebates, credits, and service improvements, ensuring benefits land in budgets and forecasts.
• Promote supplier innovation, piloting new solutions that improve reliability, quality, cost, and time-to-value.

• Support our SRM/CLM/TPRM tooling strategy and integrations with ERP/ITSM; standardize data, taxonomy, and workflows across the vendor lifecycle.
• Build executive reporting and dashboards on spend, performance, risk, and benefits; communicate insights and actions to leadership.

• Partner with Finance, IT, Security, Legal, and business units to forecast demand, align budgets, and prioritize sourcing/renewals.
• Develop processes, playbooks, and training to strengthen vendor lifecycle literacy and adoption across the organization.
• Lead change management to evolve behaviors, drive compliance to standards, and scale best practices.
• Establish operating rhythms for intake, triage, renewals, and escalations to ensure predictable, high-quality outcomes.

This position offers the flexibility of a hybrid schedule with the expectation of 3 days per week in our downtown Chicago office, and 2 days remote from home.

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Finance, Engineering, or a related field.
• 7+ years in vendor management for complex, multi-supplier environments; 3+ years leading programs or teams.
• Proven track record negotiating large/complex agreements (including 7- and 8-figure SaaS/cloud and professional services contracts) with measurable value outcomes.
• Hands-on experience with SRM/CLM/TPRM platforms (e.g., Coupa/Ariba, Icertis, Service Now VRM, One Trust/Archer) and ERP (e.g., SAP/Oracle); strong analytics (Excel/BI).
• Fluency in third-party risk and compliance (information security, privacy, data protection, SOC 2/ISO 27001; industry-relevant regulations) and audit readiness.
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence at all levels and drive cross-functional alignment.

• Professional certifications such as CPSM, CIPS, CSCP, or similar.
• Experience standing up a Vendor Management Office (VMO) or maturing vendor governance at scale.
• Industry experience in power/energy, engineering, or professional services.

Why Join Us?

• Work in an established company that values innovation and growth.
• Engage with a collaborative team that is dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the energy sector.
• Gain exposure to cutting-edge projects and contribute to…