Sourcing & Vendor Manager

We are Athene. At Athene, we are driven to do more. We are a leading retirement services company that issues, reinsures and acquires retirement savings products designed for the increasing number of individuals and institutions seeking to fund retirement needs. We see every day as a new opportunity to measure ourselves against the best - and then we don't stop until we've set the bar even higher. We're ready to help you achieve more.

Purpose:

Athene is seeking a Sourcing & Vendor Manager to join the combined Vendor and Asset Management Department as a senior member. This role will lead ongoing department activities related to procurement, vendor risk management, and vendor performance management.

The Sourcing & Vendor Manager will oversee the procurement and vendor management of various information technology spending categories, including server hardware, network hardware, end-user technology, public/private cloud services, telecommunications, software, and managed services. This position requires an analytically minded professional capable of leading complex negotiations, optimizing procurement strategies, and establishing robust vendor partnerships to drive business value. The ideal candidate will possess strong expertise in IT, strategic sourcing, vendor management, and relationship building.

Accountabilities:

Strategic Sourcing:

• Develop and execute sourcing strategies for IT, cloud services,  telecommunications, IT services, and financial staffing services to meet business objectives.

• Identify and evaluate potential suppliers, ensuring alignment with company goals and compliance with procurement policies.

• Conduct spend analysis to identify cost-saving opportunities and implement category management practices.

Vendor Management:

• Establish and maintain strong relationships with key vendors to ensure service quality, compliance, and continuous improvement.

• Monitor vendor performance through KPIs, SLAs, and regular business reviews.

• Resolve vendor disputes and manage contract renewals, terminations, or renegotiations.

Negotiation and Contract Management:

• Lead complex contract negotiations to secure favorable terms, pricing, and service levels.

• Draft, review, and manage contracts to ensure compliance with legal and organizational standards.

• Collaborate with legal, finance, and IT teams to manage risk and ensure alignment with business goals.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Partner with internal stakeholders, including IT, finance, and HR, to align procurement strategies with business needs.

• Provide expertise and guidance on market trends, supplier capabilities, and technology advancements.

Process Optimization:

• Implement best practices in procurement processes and tools to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.

• Drive cost optimization initiatives while maintaining quality and service levels.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent work experience required. Military experience will be considered in lieu of formal degree. MBA or JD preferred.

• 5 years of procurement experience, with a focus on IT, specifically network infrastructure, cloud services, and telecommunications.

• Experience collaborating with executive leadership and developing strategic sourcing strategies.

• Proven experience negotiating complex agreements with vendors and suppliers.

• Experience leading strategic sourcing projects, including drafting scope of work requirements, RFx creation and management, and negotiating awards and contracting.

• Demonstrated success in leading cross-functional sourcing projects involving multiple departments.

• Strong track record of identifying and implementing cost-saving opportunities.

• Strong negotiation and business analysis capabilities.

• In-depth understanding of cloud infrastructure, Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS), and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) procurement and sales strategies.

• Excellent written and verbal communication abilities, with a strong emphasis on team collaboration.

• Knowledge of best practices for procurement, regulatory requirements, and market trends in IT, telecommunications, and professional services.

Drive. Discipline. Confidence. Focus. Commitment.  Learn more about working at Athene.

Athene is a Military Friendly Employer!  Learn more about how we support our Veterans.

Athene celebrates diversity, is committed to inclusion and is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.  We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, veteran status or any other status protected by federal, state or local law.