Vendor Management Lead

Onsite/5 days in either Merrimack, NH, Smithfield, RI or Westlake, TX

Our client seeks a vendor management professional to lead a portfolio of medium-to-high complexity technology vendors with a focus on risk, performance, and financial outcomes. The role will coordinate with cross‑functional partners to align vendor strategy, enforce contract compliance, and drive continuous improvement. The position will measure service levels, manage risk profiles, and support procurement activities across a dynamic environment. The work will require strong communication, negotiation, and executive presence.

Due to client requirements, applicants must be willing and able to work on a w2 basis. For our w2 consultants, we offer a great benefits package that includes Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits, 401k with company matching, and life insurance.

Rate: $45.00 to $48.00/hr. w2

• Provide oversight to a portfolio of technology vendors with strategic complexity.
• Lead, measure, and report vendor performance against contracted expectations, including Service Level Agreements, and drive accountability.
• Identify and implement cost reduction opportunities across the vendor portfolio.
• Support funding processes including purchase order creation and tracking, reporting, and governance reviews.
• Focus on vendor risk with proactive mitigation and collaboration with enterprise risk functions.
• Maintain knowledge of each relationship’s risk profile and drive resolution of risk events.
• Build partnerships across procurement, risk, and finance.
• Develop a full understanding of active contracts and ensure adherence to terms by vendors and our client.
• Participate in procurement activities including market scans, RFPs/RFXs, contract and vendor negotiations, and coordinate approvals and timelines.
• Coordinate and drive business review meetings with vendors.
• Complete responsibilities and compliance aligned to the enterprise vendor management policy.
• Provide analysis and recommendations for resolving complex problems and issues.
• Produce recurring dashboards and scorecards for internal and external stakeholders.

• 7 to 10 years of experience in vendor management, procurement, or risk-related roles.
• Strong communication, facilitation, influencing, and negotiating skills with executive presence.
• Ability to independently drive complex vendor engagements with minimal oversight.
• Proven organization skills with the ability to lead multiple projects and deliver timely results.
• Demonstrated ability to cultivate partnerships with peers, leaders, vendors, and stakeholders.
• Background with vendor management and procurement processes.
• Experience producing performance metrics, dashboards, and scorecards.