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 identify the appropriate vendors and contracting options based on those needs.
• Perform periodic reviews with Supplemental Staffing group (SSCOE) to continuously advocate for TO contingent work needs through preferred providers and roles
• Work closely with TO stakeholders in each portfolio to identify key suppliers and contracts that require close supervision and risk management based on complexity and/or visibility of the contract.
• Partner with TO portfolios and SCM to support Request for Proposal (RFP/RFX) activities including identification of requirements, suppliers, and vendor selection

Cost Efficiencies

• Deliver, track and report on cost savings achieved through vendor management initiatives, demonstrating consistent cost discipline and the financial benefits delivered to the organization.
• Track performance and take proactive actions on discount programs (volume, early payment, others) to ensure the programs are delivering maximum benefit against TO spend.
• Actively partner with TO portfolios to identify cost savings opportunities on new or existing contracts while balancing risk and service quality.

Team Development

• Lead the recruitment process to attract and hire top talent for the Strategic Supplier Management (SSM), ensuring that the team has the necessary skills and expertise to achieve organizational goals.
• Develop and implement training and development programs to enhance the skills and capabilities of the SSM team, fostering a culture of continuous learning and professional growth.
• Establish clear performance expectations and conduct regular performance reviews to provide feedback, recognize achievements, and identify areas for improvement.
• Foster a collaborative and inclusive team environment that encourages open communication, teamwork, and a shared commitment to excellence.

Continuous Improvements

• Use data to measure, track, and report key metrics and status for vendor engagements to build transparency with TO leaders and help with data-driven decisions.
• Constantly evangelize the use of automation to reduce manual toil and administrative tasks including the use of industry-standard tooling including the use of AI for various tasks.
• Review and optimize vendor processes across onboarding, offboarding, SOW creation, PR requests, PO approvals, invoicing to ensure optimal experience for suppliers and portfolio
• Evaluate tooling and process improvements that help reduce processing and execution time for contracts including eliminating processes that do not add value.

Qualifications:

• 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 and other related fields, with at least 5 years in a leadership role.
• Proven experience in managing large-scale vendor relationships and contracts, preferably 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.
• Knowledge of vendor management, sourcing, and procurement processes and best practices.
• Experience with data analysis and reporting tools such as Power BI to drive improvements

Southern Company (NYSE: SO) is a leading energy provider serving 9 million residential and commercial customers across the Southeast and beyond through its family of companies. Providing clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy with excellent service is our mission. The company has electric operating companies in three states, natural gas distribution companies in four states, a competitive generation company, a leading distributed energy infrastructure company with national capabilities, a fiber optics network, and telecommunications services. Through an industry-leading commitment to innovation, resilience, and sustainability, we are taking action to meet our customers’ and communities’ needs while advancing our commitment to net zero emissions by 2050. Our uncompromising values ensure we put the needs of those we serve at the center of everything we do and are the key to our sustained success. We are transforming energy into economic, environmental and social progress for tomorrow. Our corporate culture and hiring practices have earned the company national awards and recognition from numerous organizations, including Forbes, Military Times, DiversityInc, Black Enterprise, J.D. Power, Fortune, Human Rights Campaign and more. To learn more, visit www.southerncompany.com .

Southern Company invests in the well-being of its employees and their families through a comprehensive total rewards strategy that includes competitive base salary, annual incentive awards for eligible employees and health, welfare and retirement benefits designed to support physical, financial, and emotional/social well-being. This position may also be eligible for additional compensation, such as an incentive program, with the amount of any bonus/awards subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable incentive plan(s). A summary of the benefits offered for this position can be found here https://seo.nlx.org/southernco/pdf/SOCO-Benefits.pdf . Additional and specific details about total compensation and bene?ts will also be provided during the hiring process.

Southern Company is an equal opportunity employer where an applicant's qualifications are considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other basis prohibited by law.

Job Identification: 11717

Job Category: Information Technology

Job Schedule: Full time

Company: Southern Company Services

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