Supplier Relationship Manager

What You’ll Do

As a Supplier Relationship Manager, you’ll play a key role in helping Principal maximize value from a portfolio of strategic third-party suppliers. In this role, you’ll be responsible for managing supplier performance, driving strategic alignment, monitoring risk, optimizing spend, and fostering strong relationships between Principal stakeholders and supplier partners.

You’ll work closely with business leaders, sourcing and category management teams, procurement, and third-party risk partners to develop a comprehensive understanding of supplier capabilities, products, and services across the organization. You’ll leverage data, supplier intelligence, and analytics to identify opportunities, resolve issues, and support informed business decisions.

This role requires a strategic mindset, strong communication skills, and the ability to build relationships across all levels of the organization while influencing positive outcomes with internal and external stakeholders.

• Manage a portfolio of strategic suppliers across the organization, serving as a primary point of coordination between Principal stakeholders and supplier partners.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with supplier and business stakeholders to drive collaboration and mutual success.
• Establish regular governance routines and facilitate executive-level meetings to review performance, strategic priorities, and emerging opportunities.

• Understand business objectives and align supplier capabilities to support organizational priorities.
• Communicate the strategic value suppliers deliver and identify opportunities to enhance business outcomes.
• Partner with suppliers to bring forward innovative solutions, market insights, and industry trends that create competitive advantages for Principal.

• Collaborate with business partners to define supplier performance expectations and key success measures.
• Monitor supplier performance metrics and service level agreements (SLAs).
• Analyze performance data, identify trends, and proactively address concerns.
• Lead root cause analysis and corrective action efforts to resolve supplier issues efficiently and prevent recurrence.

• Gather, analyze, and interpret supplier and market data to support decision-making and strategic planning.
• Leverage supplier intelligence, performance reporting, and spend analytics to identify opportunities and risks.
• Translate complex data and insights into clear recommendations and actionable business decisions.

• Partner with risk and compliance teams to understand supplier risk assessments and mitigation strategies.
• Monitor supplier risk indicators and ensure appropriate controls are maintained.
• Maintain awareness of emerging risks impacting suppliers, products, services, and market conditions.

• Monitor supplier spend, budget performance, and contract utilization.
• Identify cost optimization opportunities, credits, and efficiency improvements in partnership with suppliers and business leaders.
• Provide transparency into supplier expenditures and financial performance to stakeholders.

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent work experience.
• 3+ years of experience in supplier relationship management, strategic sourcing, procurement, category management, vendor management, or third-party relationship management.
• Experience analyzing data and using insights to influence recommendations, priorities, and business decisions.
• Demonstrated ability to build relationships and collaborate effectively across multiple business functions and organizational levels.
• Strong communication and presentation skills, including experience leading executive-level meetings and stakeholder discussions.
• Proven ability to manage competing priorities and drive initiatives through completion.
• Strong critical thinking, problem-solving, and issue-resolution skills.
• Experience managing third-party supplier relationships and performance programs.

• Experience supporting market data, financial services, technology, or…