IT Vendor Manager

Vendor Manager Position
The Vendor Manager role is integral to the Vendor Management Office (VMO), supporting IT’s strategic relationships with vendors and service providers. This position is responsible for managing a portfolio to ensure successful, measurable, and sustainable business outcomes with valued vendors while mitigating risk.

The Vendor Manager oversees vendors providing Managed Services, Project Delivery, IT Software, Hardware, Cloud, SaaS, and Data Subscriptions. Responsibilities include managing IT’s end-to-end renewals process and new product or subscription orders. The role involves providing commercial and contractual recommendations to IT Management, supporting IT’s strategic and digital objectives, and minimizing risk.

Role Description
The primary accountability will be as a team member for the Core Optimization Program, reporting directly to the Senior Manager of the IT Vendor Management Office. The Core program involves implementing a suite of products supporting a future ERP, alongside existing applications that integrate with SAP for end-to-end business processes.
This role will engage proactively with various project streams to gather requirements, then facilitate these through IT by engaging appropriate resources and vendors. The individual will operate under the current VMO framework and collaborate closely with team members and Supply Chain Management. Adherence to tight schedules and activity requirements is essential to support IT in understanding changes, planning for sustainment costs, and achieving successful outcomes.

Governance & Relationship Management

• Manage vendor relationships and steward the governance process, including JMC, JEC, QBR, and Executive Briefings.
• Facilitate vendor performance measurements for Managed Services and projects.
• Maintain relationships with vendors on product/service roadmaps, capabilities, escalations, and inquiries.
• Provide support to IT and CPMO stakeholders for vendor proposals, new services, and support.

Engagement

• Serve as the initial contact for existing and new vendor engagements on service offerings, product orders, renewals, and project capabilities.
• Facilitate engagement with Supply Chain Management (SCM) for demand planning and prioritization.
• Manage the IT renewals process, coordinating with Business Partners and Service Owners for software rationalization.
• Address vendor escalations and performance issues on contracted services.
• Collaborate with IT stakeholders on long-term planning and road mapping by engaging vendors.

Commercials

• Support SCM in commercial negotiations and consult with Strategy & Planning for IT budget inputs.
• Advise IT stakeholders on purchasing strategies for projects, quotes, and pricing.
• Guide sourcing and purchasing of IT hardware and services.
• Validate MSA rate cards for Statements of Work and Change Orders.
• Coordinate audit and compliance initiatives with vendors and IT stakeholders.

Additional Responsibilities

• Ensure IT vendors deliver on commitments and contracts, overseeing compliance and performance management, including cost and quality analysis.
• Report on vendor compliance and performance based on SLAs and manage scorecards and dashboards.
• Maintain price benchmarks and drive cost savings for renewals, software licensing, and services.
• Support Service Owners within their portfolios (ERP, Applications, Infrastructure, End User Computing, Cyber Security).
• Develop and update monthly management reports, and track financial progress against budgets.
• Assist with contract schedule development, negotiations, reviews, and terminations.
• Monitor and maintain financial forecasts, budgets, and Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).
• Manage contract lifecycle processes, including Statements of Work and Change Orders.

Key Competencies

• Builds Trust: Fulfills commitments and maintains integrity.
• Implementation/Execution: Skilled at organizing and managing multiple priorities using methodologies and tools.
• Innovation: Introduces ideas and processes that enhance VMO performance and productivity.
• Problem Solving: Analytical and collaborative, adept at engaging others in problem-solving.

Role Essentials

• 15+ years of experience in IT or Supply Chain Management.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, IT, Finance, or a related field.
• Expertise in IT contracts and negotiation of complex, multi-year agreements.

With over 90 years' combined experience, NES Fircroft (NES) is proud to be the world's leading engineering staffing provider spanning the Oil & Gas, Power & Renewables, Chemicals, Construction & Infrastructure, Life Sciences, Mining and Manufacturing sectors worldwide. With more than 80 offices in 45 countries, we are able to provide our clients with the engineering and technical expertise they need, wherever and whenever it is needed. We offer contractors far more than a traditional recruitment service, supporting with everything from securing visas and work permits, to providing market-leading benefits packages and accommodation, ensuring they are safely and compliantly able to support our clients.