IT Vendor Manager

The Vendor Manager supports the IT organization in the consistent execution of vendor management processes throughout the vendor lifecycle. This role serves as a central coordinator and subject matter resource for vendor governance activities, working with IT leaders, service owners, Procurement, Finance, and other stakeholders to ensure vendor relationships are appropriately documented, monitored, reviewed, and managed in accordance with established policies and processes.

Notes

• Supporting IT Dept/IT focused role., 150 vendors, cross over to other Depts as needed (procurement, etc.)
• Need experience w/Vendor Management, organized and work well w/Leadership
• Vendor/contact requirements, classification (strategic like Excella), tiering, strategic in identifying vendors, navigation and monitoring performance (performance management), cost benefits, holding them accountable to contracts (governance), escalating when needed.
• Tools/open, they use Salesforce
• Program, Performance Management, Contract Management --> titles are ok, need vendor management experience w/in whatever title they hold.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate vendor onboarding, classification, ongoing governance, review, renewal, and offboarding activities in accordance with the IT Vendor Management Policy and Process.
• Serve as a primary point of coordination between IT leaders, service owners, vendors, Procurement, Finance, and other stakeholders involved in vendor management activities.
• Maintain accurate vendor, contract, ownership, classification, and related governance information within designated systems and repositories.
• Coordinate periodic vendor reviews, including gathering performance information, preparing scorecards or review materials, scheduling meetings, documenting outcomes, and tracking follow-up actions.
• Support IT leaders and service owners in monitoring vendor performance against contractual commitments, service levels, key performance indicators, and other established expectations. Facilitate vendor performance discussions and improvement activities by coordinating meetings, documenting issues and action plans, tracking commitments, and escalating overdue or unresolved items to the appropriate IT leader.
• Coordinate vendor risk, compliance, accessibility, and other required assessments with the appropriate subject matter experts; track identified actions through completion. Monitor contract milestones, renewal dates, review requirements, and other vendor lifecycle activities and coordinate with IT leaders and Procurement to ensure required activities are completed in a timely manner.
• Support contract and renewal reviews by gathering vendor performance, risk, utilization, financial, and stakeholder information needed by IT leadership to make informed renewal, modification, or termination decisions.
• Facilitate Business Alignment Meetings, vendor service reviews, and other recurring governance meetings as appropriate based on vendor classification and business need.
• Track vendor issues, risks, decisions, commitments, and improvement opportunities and provide visibility to IT leadership regarding items requiring attention or escalation.
• Develop and maintain vendor management templates, procedures, documentation, dashboards, reports, and performance metrics.
• Analyze vendor management data to identify trends, gaps, upcoming obligations, process compliance issues, and opportunities for improvement.
• Provide guidance and support to IT leaders and service owners on vendor management processes, roles, responsibilities, and required activities.
• Support the continued development and maturity of the IT Vendor Management program, including process improvement, reporting, automation, data quality, and adoption of vendor management practices.
• Perform other vendor governance, analysis, and coordination activities necessary to support effective management of the IT vendor portfolio.