Apple

AIML Data Operations, Senior Vendor Manager

Apple$150K — $180K *
Consumer Technology
8 - 10 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 10+ years managing and developing operational or vendor-focused teams
  • 5+ years in program management, production operations, or vendor management within data operations
  • Bachelor's degree necessary
  • Strong grasp of production operations, quality assurance frameworks, and delivery management
  • Exceptional written and verbal communication skills for diverse audiences
  • Experience balancing multiple programs with competing demands in fast-paced settings
  • Proactive leader skilled in navigating ambiguity and establishing effective processes

Responsibilities

  • Lead the vendor lifecycle from sourcing to compliance and delivery
  • Develop team capabilities in vendor management and quality oversight
  • Establish frameworks for scalable execution in data annotations
  • Oversee the production lifecycle including vendor selection and onboarding
  • Track delivery, assure quality, and resolve performance issues
  • Provide hands-on support for complex vendor challenges
  • Collaborate with engineering and data requestors to optimize data pipeline deployment

Benefits

  • Opportunity to impact next-gen Apple products and features
  • Leadership role in a high-impact, innovative team
  • Hands-on experience addressing complex vendor challenges
  • Development of team capabilities in a global work environment
  • Engagement with cutting-edge machine learning and data annotation methodologies
Full Job Description
We're looking for a Senior Manager to own the end-to-end vendor lifecycle, from sourcing and contracting through quality, delivery, and compliance, while leading the team that serves as the critical link between Apple's annotation needs and our external vendor workforce. You will develop your team's capabilities in vendor management, production operations, and quality oversight while establishing the frameworks and processes that enable consistent, scalable execution. Imagine leading the team that keeps Apple's AI data engine running, ensuring our machine learning models are trained with the highest quality data produced by a global workforce operating at peak efficiency.

Description

As Senior Vendor Manager you will oversee and lead a high-impact team supporting Data Annotations. You will guide a group of Demand Planners, Vendor Engagement Specialists, and Crowd Managers who collaborate directly with engineering teams and data requestors to deploy scalable data pipelines through our global vendor workforce.

Your team manages the full production lifecycle-from relationship management,, project requirement definition, vendor selection,, SOW creation, and onboarding through delivery tracking, quality assurance, performance monitoring, issue resolution, and invoice validation. This role requires hands-on support, strategic leadership, and the ability to drive deeper efficiency, insights, and evaluations. You will remain hands-on when complex vendor challenges or production escalations require your direct involvement.

Your work will directly contribute to the success of the next generation of Apple products and features.

Minimum Qualifications

10+ years of experience managing and developing teams in operational or vendor-facing roles

5+ years of experience in program/project management, production operations, or vendor management in data operations or related fields

BS degree required

Strong understanding of production operations including capacity planning, quality assurance frameworks, and delivery management

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate complex concepts to both technical and non-technical audiences

Proven ability to manage multiple concurrent programs with competing priorities in a fast-paced environment

Self-motivated and proactive leader who thrives in ambiguous environments and is able to establish diligent processes for global teams

Demonstrated ability to navigate ambiguity and rapidly shifting priorities, crafting creative, pragmatic near-term vendor support solutions that keep programs on track while maintaining focus on longer-term vendor strategy and scalable operational goals

Experience leading a dispersed global team

Preferred Qualifications

Annotation operations, data operations, or crowd-sourcing programs at scale

Vendor/supplier management including performance management and relationship development

Budget management and financial forecasting for vendor-delivered work

Data quality issue tracking and resolution (impact analysis, root cause analysis, data analysis)

Background managing geographically distributed teams or vendor workforces

Understanding of machine learning concepts, data annotation methodologies, and quality assurance processes

Advanced degree in a relevant field

About Apple

Apple is a corporation that designs, manufactures, and markets mobile communication and media devices, personal computers, portable digital music players, and sells a variety of related software, services, peripherals, networking solutions, and third-party digital content and applications. Apple provides many products and services, including iPhone; iPad; iPod; Mac; Apple TV; a portfolio of consumer and professional software applications; the iOS and OS X operating systems; iCloud; and accessories, service, and support offerings. It sells its products worldwide through its retail stores, online stores, direct sales force and third-party cellular network carriers, wholesalers, retailers, and value-added resellers to the consumer and also sells third-party iPhone, iPad, Mac and iPod compatible products, including application software and accessories through its online and retail stores. Introduced in 1984, the Macintosh was the first widely sold personal computer with a graphical user interface (GUI). That feature and others such as an improved floppy drive design and a low-cost hard drive that made data retrieval faster helped Apple cultivate a reputation for innovation. Apple was named as the most admired company in the United States in 2008 and in the world from 2008 to 2012 by the Fortune magazine. The company was founded by Steven Paul Jobs, Steve Wozniak, and Ronald Gerald Wayne on April 1, 1976, and is headquartered in Cupertino, California.

Apple Careers

Join Apple, a place where extraordinary people gather to do their best work. Our ever-expanding global team is at the forefront of innovation and leadership in the tech industry. At Apple, we're not just building products—we're crafting the kind of wonder that revolutionizes entire industries. It's the diversity of our people and their ideas that inspires the innovation that runs through everything we do, from amazing technology to industry-leading environmental efforts. Work You’ll Do Embark on a journey with Apple’s market-leading team to help some of the world’s most influential companies navigate their path to digital mastery with cutting-edge technology and services. Transform industries and touch lives with your unique ideas at Apple. Here, you’ll lead through a unique position at the intersection of technology, creativity, and robust industry expertise. Collaborate with a global team of professionals who are at the top of their game in technology and design. Apple isn’t just a company, it’s a community of innovators and passionate thinkers. Introducing the Apple Innovation and Leadership Initiative We are building a market-leading team to drive our efforts in delivering groundbreaking solutions and services. At Apple, job opportunities are abundant, offering you the chance to explore diverse roles from engineering to marketing, all designed to empower your career growth. Do Innovative Work Join the largest group of creative and technical experts in the world—professionals dedicated to redefining what’s possible through technology and innovation. Deliver targeted solutions through a depth and breadth of expertise that’s unmatched, driving forward our commitment to excellence and leadership in every project we undertake. Be Part of a Great Team Engage in a wide range of projects utilizing Apple’s technology and resources. Harness the unparalleled capabilities, global scale, and joint solution development that only Apple can offer. Future-Proof Your Career Advance your career with limitless opportunities at Apple. Go as far as your ambition takes you with unmatched training, development, and certification support. Explore Discover how Apple is leading the way in tech innovation: [With iOS] Businesses can streamline operations and enhance customer interactions... READ MORE Smart home technology integration that sets the standard for convenience and security... READ MORE The Apple Experience Our combined service capabilities, global scale, and joint solution development help clients overcome challenges and lead transformation in their industries. Clients worldwide look to Apple for new strategies and solutions that drive growth and innovation in the digital era. Stay Connected Join Our Team Search open positions that match your skills and interests. We look for passionate, curious, creative, and solution-driven team players. Whether you’re seeking a professional role, an internship, or a leadership position, Apple offers a variety of employment opportunities. SEARCH APPLE JOBS Keep Up to Date Stay ahead with career tips, insider perspectives, and industry-leading insights you can put to use today—all from the people who work here. READ CAREERS BLOG Job Alert Emails Personalize your subscription to receive job alerts, latest news, and insider tips tailored to your preferences. See what exciting and rewarding opportunities await at Apple, a company committed to diversity, innovation, and leadership. Explore job opportunities, employment benefits, and the culture of growth and innovation at Apple. Prepare your resume, hone your interview skills, and ready yourself for a career at one of the most prestigious companies in the world. Join us in pushing the boundaries of what is possible.
Learn more about Apple
Size
154,000 employees
Market Cap
$2,074.3 billion
Industry
Net Income
$63.9 billion
Founded
1976
5 Year Trend
+11.5%
Revenue
$294.1 billion
NASDAQ

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