Vendor Management Specialist

The Vendor Management Specialist plays a critical role in supporting IT Service Management by managing complex, strategically important supplier relationships. This role partners closely with senior business and technology leaders to establish, maintain, and evolve vendor partnerships that support operational stability, service quality, and long-term IT objectives.

The successful candidate brings strong strategic thinking, excellent communication skills, and the confidence to navigate challenging conversations when needed. Acting as both an advocate for the business and a firm steward of contractual and performance expectations, the Vendor Management Specialist helps ensure vendors are aligned to priorities, accountable for results, and positioned to support what's next on the organization's agenda.

Responsibilities

• Leads the management of complex vendor relationships in support of IT Service Management, including suppliers with high impact to service delivery and business operations.
• Serves as a primary vendor interface for senior business and technology leaders, providing guidance on vendor strategy, partnership opportunities, and actions required to support short- and long-term objectives.
• Establishes and maintains strong working relationships with vendors at the appropriate levels, effectively balancing collaboration and accountability to resolve issues, manage escalations, and drive performance.
• Partners with stakeholders to understand upcoming priorities and initiatives, proactively assessing how vendor capabilities, contracts, and engagement models can best support business needs.
• Supports pricing discussions and negotiations, and monitors vendor performance against contractual commitments, service-level expectations, and key performance indicators.
• Analyzes vendor and service performance data to conduct comparative evaluations, both prior to contract execution and throughout the vendor lifecycle, to ensure strong value and return on investment.
• Develops Requests for Proposal (RFPs) for products or services, coordinates vendor responses, evaluates proposals for compliance, and requests additional information as required.
• Evaluates vendors' financial strength, operational maturity, and performance reputation to assess their suitability as strategic partners. Monitors post-contract performance and recommends adjustments or corrective actions when expectations are not being met.
• Reviews vendor invoices to ensure compliance with contract terms and service agreements prior to approval for payment.
• Assists in resolving vendor-related conflicts and escalations and provides guidance to less experienced team members to support consistent execution of vendor management practices.
• Participates in special projects and performs other duties as assigned.

• Minimum of five years of related experience; three or more years of vendor management experience preferred, ideally within an IT or service management environment.
• Demonstrated experience managing moderate to high-complexity suppliers and supporting vendor relationships with senior business or technology stakeholders.
• Undergraduate degree or equivalent combination of education, training, and experience.
• Graduate degree preferred.
• Strong strategic thinking and communication skills, with the ability to influence outcomes, navigate difficult conversations.
• Proven ability to balance relationship management with contract enforcement and performance accountability.