Vendor Program Manager, Data Operations

Cupertino, California, United States Operations and Supply Chain

Imagine what you could do here. At Apple, new ideas have a way of becoming extraordinary products, services, and customer experiences very quickly. This role is pivotal in ensuring our cutting‑edge AIML models are powered by high‑quality, efficiently sourced data, making a direct impact on Apple’s next generation of innovations. We value integrity, accountability, teamwork, and proactive thinking, encouraging everyone to bring their unique ideas forward.

The Data Operations Organization is responsible for collecting, curating, and annotating data efficiently to empower best‑in‑class AI/ML models across all of Apple. Our Vendor Management Team is a strategic team within this organization, driving vendor engagements that ensure the efficient, cost‑effective, and high‑quality delivery of critical data services. Our scope includes comprehensive vendor strategy and engagement, corporate compliance, negotiations and contract execution, financial management, performance tracking, analytics, and fraud detection.

As a Senior Vendor Program Manager, you will be a critical driver within this team, blending strategic vendor management expertise with strong analytical capabilities. You will proactively engage with internal stakeholders to deeply understand project requirements, then identify, evaluate, and onboard a diverse pool of vendors capable of meeting Apple’s standards. Your expertise will be crucial in designing and implementing robust performance tracking mechanisms, ensuring continuous feedback loops between stakeholders and vendors to drive consistent improvement and excellence.

You will translate vendor and project performance data into actionable insights and executive‑ready presentations. This role demands an analytical mindset. You will proactively identify opportunities for process optimization and automation, leveraging Python and SQL to develop scripts for data extraction and analysis. You will transform raw data into visualizations using Tableau, providing critical, data‑driven insights that inform strategic vendor decisions.

• Strategic Vendor Partnership:
  Develop and execute vendor strategies, including identifying and onboarding a diverse portfolio of partners that align with Apple’s long‑term AI/ML data needs.
• Performance & Quality Assurance:
  Refine vendor performance monitoring frameworks, utilizing KPIs, SLAs, and data analytics to ensure vendor excellence and compliance.
• Data-Driven Insights & Reporting:
  Interpret large datasets related to vendor performance, cost, and operational efficiency using Python/SQL scripting. Develop insightful dashboards and reports in Tableau to present strategic overviews to leadership and stakeholders.
• Process Optimization & Automation:
  Proactively identify and implement opportunities for process automation and efficiency gains within vendor management workflows, utilizing scripting capabilities to streamline operations and enhance data integrity.
• Contract Negotiation & Management:
  Drive contract negotiations, ensuring compliance and risk mitigation across all vendor agreements.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration:
  
  Act as a primary liaison, fostering strong relationships with internal teams (e.g., Procurement, Finance, Learning & Development (L&D), Q&A) to ensure seamless vendor integration and project execution.
• Financial Stewardship:
  Support vendor billing and drive cost optimization initiatives without compromising quality or operational effectiveness.

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Finance, Data Science, or related quantitative field
• 10+ years experience in vendor management, finance, analytics or supply chain roles, ideally in the tech industry.

• Demonstrated analytical and strategic problem‑solving abilities, with a proven track record of driving data‑informed decisions and process improvements.
• Proficiency in Python, SQL, and Tableau (or other BI tools)
• Solid understanding of financial principles related to vendor contracts, billing, and cost management
• Exceptional communication and interpersonal…