Vendor Manager

Job Overview

The Vendor Manager at T-Mobile manages and optimizes vendor relationships supporting network equipment supply chain operations, spanning forward functions such as inbound logistics, warehousing, staging/kitting, fulfillment, and deployment readiness, as well as reverse functions including returns, RMA coordination, repair/refurbishment, redeployment, and disposition. This role monitors vendor performance, enforces contract and SLA requirements, and partners with internal stakeholders to ensure vendors deliver reliable service, cost efficiency, inventory accuracy, and operational readiness.

The Vendor Manager supports risk management and issue resolution across logistics, OEM, repair, and disposition partners to reduce service-impacting disruptions. This role analyzes vendor costs, validates performance outcomes, and identifies opportunities to improve cost-to-serve and operational efficiency across forward and reverse flows. Success is measured by sustained vendor performance, contract compliance, improved network equipment availability, reduced aging, and measurable cost and process improvements.

• Vendor Relationship Management Across Forward & Reverse Operations:
  Manage and optimize relationships with logistics, OEM, repair, and disposition vendors supporting network equipment operations. Ensure vendor execution supports inbound logistics, warehousing, staging/kitting, fulfillment, returns, repair/refurbishment, redeployment, and disposition requirements.
• Vendor Performance, Contract & SLA Compliance:
  Monitor vendor performance against contractual obligations, SLAs, quality expectations, and operational requirements. Enforce compliance and support corrective actions to improve service levels, cycle times, inventory accuracy, and network equipment readiness.
• Stakeholder Partnership, Planning &
  
  Risk Management:
  
  Collaborate with Network Engineering, Field Operations, Supply Chain Operations, Procurement, Finance, and other internal teams to align vendor execution with network build, upgrade, maintenance, and recovery priorities. Support planning and risk management practices that reduce service-impacting disruptions across forward and reverse flows.
• Vendor Cost Management & Efficiency Improvement:
  Analyze and manage vendor costs related to logistics, warehousing, fulfillment, repair, returns, redeployment, and disposition activities. Identify savings opportunities, validate cost drivers, and support initiatives that improve cost-to-serve and operational efficiency.
• Reporting, Scorecards & Leadership Communication:
  Prepare and present vendor performance reports, scorecards, cost trends, SLA results, risk items, and improvement actions to leadership. Translate vendor data into clear insights and recommendations that support operational decisions.
• Operational Excellence & Continuous Improvement:
  Contribute to supply chain operational excellence by applying knowledge of logistics, inventory management, repair operations, asset controls, and vendor management. Support improvements that strengthen process consistency, asset utilization, compliance, and scalability across forward and reverse network equipment operations.
• Systems, Controls & Vendor Process Enablement:
  Support vendor adoption and use of systems, tools, and process controls such as WMS/enterprise system integrations, asset tracking, serialization, dashboards, and automated reporting. Ensure vendor processes support accurate visibility, traceability, billing, and operational control across the network equipment lifecycle.

• Bachelor's Degree plus 3 years of related work experience OR advanced degree with 1 year of related work experience OR combination of education and experience deemed equivalent (Required)
• Acceptable areas of study include Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, or related field (Preferred)
• 2-4 years implementing strategic planning and best practices in procurement and risk management (Preferred)
• 4-7 years managing and optimizing relationships with vendors in a corporate setting (Preferred)
• 4-7 years analyzing vendor costs and managing budgets to achieve cost…