Manager, Strategic Supplier Management (SSM)

Job Title: Manager, Strategic Supplier Management (SSM) 

 The Strategic Supplier Management (SSM) function is part of the broader Technology Services organization within Technology Organization (TO) and is responsible for centrally managing all vendor management activities within TO. The SSM Manager role is responsible for developing and executing a cohesive vendor management strategy, vision, and roadmap for the Technology Organization. This role will lead a team of vendor management analysts and oversee an annual spend of up to $500 million across hardware, software, labor programs (professional services, contingent worker), Value added resellers (VAR) and software renewals. The SSM Manager will focus on maximizing value from vendor relationships, ensuring cost-effective solutions, and driving service excellence to meet the needs of the Technology Organization. This includes but not limited to optimizing vendor performance, effective risk management, developing governance framework, managing preferred programs, fostering strategic partnerships, and implementing best practices in vendor management to support the organization’s goals and objectives. 

 

JOB REQUIREMENTS: (Education, Experience, Knowledge, Skills) 

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, engineering, technology, or a related field. A master’s degree is a plus.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in Technology, vendor management, procurement, sourcing and other related fields, with at least 5 years in a leadership role.
• Proven experience in managing large-scale vendor relationships and contracts within a technology organization.
• Strong understanding of vendor governance, contract management, and procurement processes.
• Excellent negotiation, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to analyze data and build insights to drive decision-making.
• Strong leadership and team-building skills.
• Experience with customer satisfaction (CSAT) management and issue resolution.
• Proficiency in using vendor management and procurement software tools.
• Experience in managing hardware, software, professional services, staff augmentation, and renewals programs
• Knowledge of vendor management, sourcing, and procurement best practices.
• Experience with data analysis and reporting tools such as Power BI to drive improvements

 

MAJOR JOB RESPONSIBILITIES: 

Strategic Planning 

• Develop and implement comprehensive vendor management strategy to enhance vendor relationships and performance, ensuring alignment with the Technology Organization’s long-term goals and objectives
• Perform annual planning working with TO portfolio leads to understand TO goals and key priorities and create a vendor engagement plan to meet those priorities.
• Conduct periodic market analysis to identify potential new vendors, assess the competitiveness of existing vendors, and stay informed about industry trends and best practices.
• Manage and optimize Preferred Programs (General, Niche, and Specialized) to drive continuous efficiencies and economies of scale that meet TO needs.
• Continuously optimize the vendor portfolio aligned with strategic, tactical, niche, and emerging needs of TO portfolios along with industry best practices. 

Vendor Governance, Risk, and Performance Management

• Identify, assess, and mitigate risks associated with key vendor relationships, ensuring that potential issues are proactively addressed to minimize impact to the portfolios and TO.
• Drive and enable cross portfolio vendor governance focused on actively managing ongoing vendor performance through business reviews, customer satisfaction surveys (CSAT), vendor scorecards, escalation management, and conflict resolution.
• Provide support for internal and external audits related to software asset management including license counts, entitlements, and optimization opportunities ensuring that all documentation and processes are transparent and compliant with audit requirements.
• Ensure purchases follow the Tech acquisition standard by working with the Technology Validation Process (TVP) committee on potential improvements
• Define and report key performance measurement criteria (KPIs) and vendor scorecards to evaluate and report vendor performance regularly.

TO Portfolio Support and Contract Enablement

• Evangelize and mature new constructs including managed services, output, or outcome driven that supports TO needs and ensure the risk is shared proportionately with vendors on contracts.
• Partner with TO stakeholders to identify requirements, scope, timelines, service levels, and expected deliverables to ident