Lead Vendor Performance Manager

WHO WE ARE LOOKING FOR

We’re looking for a Lead Vendor Performance Manager to join our Vendor Strategy & Business Management organization in Global Technology and be part of a team of dynamic, high-performing professionals supporting Nike’s strategic technology initiatives. Your skills will include:

• Proven skills successfully managing suppliers and technology operations in large, complex, multi-national environments through all phases of the vendor management lifecycle. 
• Managing industry-leading vendors from multiple domains, including Staffing, Services, App support/development, Hardware, Software, IaaS, Saas, PaaS, Security services, etc.
• Extensive experience in building trusting and meaningful relationships with internal and external technology executives.
• Experience assessing and leading resolution of complex operational challenges.
• The ability to confidently interact, present, and influence key initiatives and strategies across multiple organizational levels.
• Driving supplier innovation and delivering value above and beyond contracted terms.

WHAT WILL YOU WORK ON

The Lead Vendor Performance Manager will execute key vendor lifecycle components for Nike’s top Technology suppliers, ensuring the execution of vendor governance activities to the highest standards. You will monitor, manage, and achieve expected service levels and return on investments with our most strategic suppliers. In leading governance initiatives, you will influence Nike leaders, stakeholders, and external partners across multiple business functions and organizational levels to maximize the value achieved from vendor relationships. You will:

• Conceive and aggressively drive continuous cost and performance improvement initiatives across cross-functional teams.
• Organize and execute Annual and Quarterly Business reviews, perform monthly management meetings, perform periodic performance reporting, etc.
• Drive continual process improvement in vendor management operations and tools 
• Influence vendor strategies, conduct spend analysis, manage projects, evaluate and mitigate operational risks.
• Resolve complex relationship challenges and manage supplier improvement activities to correct underperformance
• Establish governance process and activity alignment across Nike functions and geographies.
• Ensure strategic supplier relationship objectives are met.
• Train internal and external staff in supplier management processes.

   
WHO WILL YOU WORK WITH
This role provides the unique opportunity to work with and influence leaders across a broad set of Nike business functions.  You will report directly to the Director of Vendor Performance Management under the leader of Vendor Strategy & Business Management for Global Technology.  You will work closely with Vendor Performance Management peers, vendor strategy and business management staff, Global Technology organization stakeholders, and Nike and vendor leaders. You will also collaborate frequently across other Nike functions such as Procurement, Legal, Finance, Risk, Communications, and others.  
 
WHAT YOU BRING 

• Bachelor's degree in business, supply chain, finance, pre-law or related field with 7+ years of relevant work experience in Vendor Strategy, Vendor Management, Technology Procurement, or Technology Business Operations Management.
• 5+ yrs work experience directly with Hardware, Software, Cloud/IaaS, and Security (HW and SW) suppliers including experience managing strategic multi-year contracts with Tier 1 technology and labor suppliers (examples include Microsoft, Salesforce, Adobe, Amazon, Cognizant, Infosys, etc.).
• Proven history of strategic thinking and influencing decisions
• Actively research market trends and utilize best practices to support activities
• Excellent communication and influencing skills
• Ability to drive insights from unstructured data
• Proven ability to work globally with culturally diverse teams
• Demonstrated ability to analyze and interpret spending and cost data
• Understanding of Total Cost of Ownership
• Experience and understanding of negotiation tactics
• Knowledge of standard contract structures and key terms
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft applications, including advanced-level PowerPoint and Excel
• An ability to think globally and work with an international, culturally diverse team
• Proven history of strategic thinking and influencing decisions

We offer a number of accommodations to complete our interview process including screen readers, sign language interpreters, accessible and single location for in-person interviews, closed captioning, and other reasonable modifications as needed. If you