Bachelor's degree in IT, Business Administration, Finance, or related field; Master's preferred.
8+ years in IT vendor management or strategic sourcing in complex environments.
Proven experience managing high-value relationships with major IT suppliers.
Strong financial acumen with expertise in TCO modeling and CapEx/OpEx forecasting.
In-depth knowledge of enterprise IT contracts and risk management frameworks.
Exceptional communication skills with the ability to influence C-level executives.
Responsibilities
Establish and manage Tier-1 and Tier-2 supplier relationships through performance reviews and compliance checks.
Develop innovative commercial models and negotiate favorable terms with Sourcing and Finance.
Manage vendor-driven spend forecasts aligned with multi-year technology investment plans.
Create supplier scorecards and KPIs to track vendor productivity and drive improvements.
Identify disruptive technologies and rationalize legacy vendor portfolios with IT teams.
Translate technical requirements into strategic reports for CIO and IT leadership.
Benefits
Collaborative work environment with senior leadership.
Opportunity to influence technology strategy and vendor relationships.
Access to innovative commercial models and cost optimization strategies.
Engagement with cutting-edge technologies and enterprise procurement platforms.
Full Job Description
Position Overview
We are seeking a Senior IT Vendor Manager to serve as a strategic partner and trusted advisor in managing our technology vendor ecosystem. Bridging business strategy, IT leadership, and enterprise suppliers, this role ensures technology investments deliver maximum value, remain cost-optimized, and align with multi-year capital and operating plans.
In this senior individual contributor role, you will partner closely with CIO leadership, Enterprise Architecture, Sourcing, and Finance to oversee Tier-1 and Tier-2 supplier performance, develop innovative commercial models, and optimize our overall technology footprint. Key Responsibilities
Strategic Supplier Governance: Establish, enhance, and manage Tier-1 and Tier-2 strategic supplier relationships, conducting regular executive performance reviews, product roadmap evaluations, and contract compliance reviews.
Cost Optimization & Commercial Models: Partner with Sourcing and Finance to develop innovative commercial models, negotiate favorable terms, and conduct Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) analyses to meet corporate cost savings targets.
Financial & Capital Planning: Manage vendor-driven spend forecasts (segmented into Capital and Operating Expenses) and align software/hardware purchases with multi-year technology investment plans.
Performance Management & KPI Tracking: Establish quantitative supplier scorecards, KPIs, and SLAs to track vendor productivity, drive continuous improvement, and resolve operational challenges.
Technology Footprint Rationalization: Partner with Enterprise Architecture and IT teams to identify disruptive technologies, lead Proofs of Concept (POCs), and rationalize legacy vendor portfolios.
Cross-Functional Executive Reporting: Translate complex technical and contractual requirements into strategic reporting and executive presentations for CIO and IT leadership.
Qualifications & Requirements
Education: Bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Business Administration, Finance, or a related field (Master's degree preferred).
Experience: 8+ years of progressive experience in IT vendor management, strategic sourcing, category management, or technology strategy in complex environments.
Vendor Governance Expertise: Proven track record managing and optimizing high-value relationships with major enterprise IT suppliers (hardware, cloud services, SaaS, and software licensing).
Financial Acumen: Strong business case development capabilities, with deep knowledge of TCO modeling and Capital vs. Expense (CapEx/OpEx) spend forecasts.
Contract & Risk Management: In-depth understanding of enterprise IT contracts, SLA frameworks, risk mitigation, and vendor lifecycle management.
Communication & Executive Presence: Exceptional communication skills with the ability to influence C-level executives while collaborating effectively with technical architects and project managers.
Preferred Qualifications
Master's degree (MBA, MS in Information Systems, or Engineering).
Professional certifications such as CPSM (Certified Professional in Supplier Management), CTPP, or ITIL.
Hands-on experience with enterprise procurement/VMS platforms (e.g., SAP Ariba, Coupa, ServiceNow, GEP).
Prior experience managing technology vendors within regulated, infrastructure-heavy, or complex multi-entity corporate environments.
