Vendor Manager III

Department:                  Treasurer’s Office                                                                  

SUMMARY

The Vendor Manager is a part of a team of engaged professionals supporting the diverse activities of a worldwide Church with a mission to bless humanity. This position is an integral part of the Church’s Procurement Services group focused on sourcing products and services needed by all areas of the Church. This position supports the vendor lifecycle by researching and supporting selection of vendors, managing the relationships of selected vendors from onboarding through service delivery, renewals, evaluation of performance, and escalating issues where identified in order to mitigate risk.

They will work with and manage third party vendors through different stages of the RASCIF, in alignment with relevant frameworks, policies, and standards. Vendor Managers are experts in their understanding and maintenance of Business arrangement terms, technology concepts, procurement practices, and the activities produced through the engagement of business segments and church functionality.

This position is responsible for providing vendor management guidance throughout the lifecycle to the organization. The management of these relationships leads the organization in controlling costs, driving service excellence, and mitigating risks to gain increased value from our vendors throughout the life of the relationship.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Vendor Management

• Vendor Research and Selection
  • Conduct industry research, leverage existing relationships, and vet potential vendors
  • Lead the vendor selection process, including interviews, RFPs, reference checks, etc.
  • Supports technology procurement by working closely with the Office of the CIO (OCIO) and relevant subject matter experts to understand their procurement timeline and to gather technical requirements
  • Participates in sourcing lodging and procurement of other services for group events
  • Professional level role requiring knowledge of vendor engagement, product discovery against requirements, and negotiations with potential vendors.
  • Recommends course of action and best practices to improve products, processes, or services.
  • Interprets internal challenges to external vendors and reverse communicates services, processes, or products into presentation of recommended best approaches or solutions.
  • Supports advanced methods to contribute new solutions, recommendations, or operational goals.
  • Works autonomously as a lead and guides others within area of expertise
  • Knowledge of Risk Management practices, standards, and regulations
  • Coordinate with the Procurement team, financial analysts, legal, technology, and Information Security departments to complete the contracting process for new vendors.
  • Review, Understand, and Compare multiple contractual terms when working with internal legal staff on behalf of internal client departments when representing the Church.
• Vendor Onboarding
  • Ability to negotiate, influence, collaborate and effectively communicate to build relationships
  • Educate new vendors on Church culture and historical context including thorough explanations of how their work fits into the broader mission of the Church
• Vendor Relationship Governance
  • Manage contract renewals and negotiations
  • Maintain regular communication with strategic vendors
  • Conduct regular assessments of all existing vendors
  • Serve as an escalation point for delivery and relationship issues
• Department Relations
  • Meet regularly with OCIO managers and subject matter experts to stay informed of their current and upcoming procurement needs and the overall timeline for scheduled maintenance projects and new initiatives.
  • Advise client departments on best practices for working with strategic vendors
  • Leverage industry knowledge to support the Church’s annual budget process

STAFF MANAGEMENT AND JOB CONTACTS

Reporting Relationships

Supervisor:   Procurement Services Manager

Supervises:   None 

Regular Contacts

This position has regular contact with fellow Procurement Services staff members, Office of the CIO managers, as well as all staff and managers of the Church. This position has regular contact with current, potential and prior vendors of the products and services provided by the Church.

JOB REQUIREMENTS

Education/Experience

A Bachelor’s degree or equivalent work experience is required.  The incumbent should have 3-5 years in vendor management, a thorough understanding of the procurement process as it relates to third-party management lifecycle, 2 years of project management and negotiation experience, former experience with an emphasis on technology-related procurement and client/vendor relationships; experience in working in a technology-based organization is preferred.

Knowledge/Skills

Excellent oral and written communication skills are essential.  This position requires strong leadership experience, the ability to diffuse issues and the ability to motivate a team towards a resolution.  Must have the ability to resolve issues in a manner that coincides with the practice of Christian Science. Must be diplomatic in approach and engender confidence in his/her ability as a results-oriented individual.  Must remain calm and effective in stressful or deadline-driven situations. 

Technology Skills

Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Publisher) and Google Docs skills are required.

Work Environment

This position regularly works in an office environment. This is a Boston-based position that will be required to be in the Boston office for the regular onsite work schedule.

Engagement with Christian Science

Membership in The Mother Church and Primary Class instruction preferred.

Background Checks

This position is required to complete a background check to be hired and annual background checks thereafter.

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.