Senior Manager, Product Operations (8769)

Extreme Networks Named to Computerworld’s 2023 List of Best Places to Work in IT!Over 50,000 customers globally trust our end-to-end, cloud-driven networking solutions and rely on our top-rated services and support to accelerate their digital transformation efforts and deliver progress like never before and with double digit growth year over year, no provider is better positioned to deliver better outcomes on scale, than Extreme.We believe in “walking the walk” of our strong core values which enable us to successfully advance together. Diversity and Inclusion is a vital part of our values and beliefs, and we’re proud to foster an environment where every Extreme employee can thrive. Come become part of something big with us! We are a global leader, with hubs in North America, South America, Asia Pacific, Europe, and the Middle East.
Extreme Networks Named to Computerworld’s 2023 List of Best Places to Work in IT!  Over 50,000 customers globally trust our end-to-end, cloud-driven networking solutions and rely on our top-rated services and support to accelerate their digital transformation efforts and deliver progress than never before, and with double-digit growth year over year, no provider is better positioned to deliver better outcomes on a scale, than Extreme.  We believe in “walking the walk” of our strong core values, which enable us to advance together successfully. Diversity and inclusion are a vital part of our values and beliefs, and we’re proud to foster an environment where every Extreme employee can thrive.   Come become part of something big with us! We are a global leader with hubs in North America, South America, Asia Pacific, Europe, and the Middle East.   Join Extreme Networks’ Product organization to lead Vendor Operations, reporting to the VP of Product Operations.    You will be accountable for Vendor Operations & management for all technology service agreements partnering with appropriate stakeholders across Finance, Supply Chain, and Legal Operations organizations.  This role has ETE all accountable across the Pre-Award, Award, and Post-Award phases of Vendor Operations. 

Scope & Responsibilities for technical agreements within the product organization:

• ETE responsibilities: You will serve as the first line between vendor/partner and internal stakeholders to understand requirements, identify suitable vendors, lead the sourcing process, and negotiate with vendors to secure the best value, service delivery, and quality.  Across the entire vendor operations lifecycle, you are responsible for partnering with internal stakeholders to facilitate and lead vendor evaluation, selection, risk assessment, contract negotiations/execution, guide vendor onboarding/offboarding, and performance management. 

Pre-award:

• Develop and lead competitive assessment/RFX process in collaboration with internal stakeholders and manage the end-to-end process. 
• Own informal and formal benchmarking regarding pricing, value, and services. 

Award

• Directly lead and drive the contract management and negotiation process, interfacing with Legal, finance, product teams, and indirect procurement as needed. 
• Deliver tangible and measurable cost savings to the company by utilizing key sourcing strategies, including supplier consolidation, leveraged volume, competitive bidding, optimization, and fact-based negotiation techniques. 
• Support center-led vendor management program, including governance, policies, and procedures that accelerate and support the business and enhance spending transparency.

Post Award

• Utilize data to facilitate and support general contract consolidation and corporate cost reduction exercises. 
• Track the status of contract renewals to ensure timely completion and notify the management team about open/unresolved issues. 
• Negotiate technology deals with a passion for cost-benefit and long-term value-add. 
• Develop a team of professionals and create a robust cost-conscious culture 
• Manage the pricing structure from vendors and contractors. 
• Review the operational performance of the vendors. 
• Manage vendor onboarding and risk assessment process – conduct an initial and ongoing risk assessment, assess agreement data access, collect key onboarding documents, and work with AP to activate vendors. For high-risk/mission-critical vendors, proactively partner with internal stakeholders to manage third-party risks (e.g., business impact, operational risk, infosec access), and develop mitigation plans. 
• Lead analysis and reporting activities: develop reporting and analytical packages, providing decision support and analysis. 
• Manage, coach, and lead direct team members. 
• Additionally, support teams by assisting with various cross-departmental initiatives and projects and other duties as assigned.