Vendor Manager

Southwest Power Pool (SPP) is about more than power. We’re about the power of relationships. Our employees have the opportunity to work together to ensure electricity is delivered reliably and affordably to the millions of people living in our service territory. We have been voted one of Arkansas’ Best Places to work by Arkansas Business and we are looking for a member of our team who is passionate about our mission to keep the lights on!

We have a core ideology here at SPP that we stand by: Do the right thing, for the right reason, in the right way.

We believe in supporting our employees through a fantastic benefits package:

• Competitive pay with bonus opportunities
• Excellent insurance package including three great medical plans to choose from, employer-paid short term disability, long term disability, and life insurance
• Relocation assistance
• Flexible working environment for positions that are eligible where employees have the flexibility to work from home and come in where collaborative in person work is needed.
• Fantastic contributions to your retirement through a 401(k) savings plan with employer-match benefits and a defined benefit plan fully funded by SPP

COMPENSATION INFORMATION
The salary range(s) represents our good faith estimate for the role at this time. While we strive to provide competitive and transparent compensation, there may be circumstances where an offer is above or outside of the listed range. We are open to discussing salary expectations with qualified candidates considering factors such as the candidate's qualifications, skills, competencies, experience and geographic location will all be considered during the hiring process.

Vendor Manager Pay Range: $68,600.00 - $85,750.00

Join our Enterprise Sourcing Team!

At SPP, we’re looking for a Vendor Manager who is curious, driven, and ready to engage with both internal teams and external partners to support business growth. This role offers a unique opportunity to gain a broad view of our company by collaborating across departments and with vendors across the industry. If you’re eager to learn, grow, and be part of a team that values innovation and collaboration—this is your next step.

What You'll Be Doing: A Day in the Life

• Partnering with SPP staff to create, modify, and approve vendor contracts that include clear, measurable deliverables

• Drafting RFQs and evaluating vendor proposals to ensure competitive pricing and alignment with our procurement policies

• Supporting contract negotiations to secure cost-effective, risk-conscious, value-driven agreements

• Assisting with onboarding new vendors into SPP’s financial systems

• Managing renewal processes for vendor products/services to ensure continuous support and service delivery

• Facilitating review and execution of vendor governing agreements

• Documenting key procurement activities—cost savings, RFQ results, contract expirations, and more

• Supporting compliance tasks and internal/external audits related to vendor engagements

• Building strong working relationships across departments and with vendors at every level

• Navigating multiple priorities and projects with agility and problem-solving finesse

To be successful as Vendor Manager, we're looking for:

• A bachelor’s degree in a business-related field, or equivalent work experience

• At least three (3) years of relevant experience in vendor management or similar roles

• Strong verbal and written communication skills

• Confidence communicating across all levels of the organization—from executives and business stakeholders to technical teams

• Proven ability to navigate and resolve complex challenges involving multiple stakeholders

• Familiarity with and commitment to following SPP’s policies and procedures

• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to manage competing priorities

• A proactive, adaptable approach to work in a dynamic environment

• A collaborative spirit with the ability to work independently when needed

• A naturally curious mindset and a passion for continuous learning and growth

Preferred:

• Two (2) years of experience in vendor management, procurement, or contract negotiation is a plus

Work Environment:

This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines

Position Type, Location, and Hours:

This is a full-time, onsite hybrid position based in Little Rock, Arkansas. The standard workweek is Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with extended hours potentially required.

Travel Requirement:

This position requires minimal (15%) travel

SPP is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer of individuals with disabilities and protected veterans and is committed to excellence. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact us at HR@spp.org and let us know the nature of your request. We will only respond to messages left that involve a request for a reasonable accommodation in the application process. We will accommodate the needs of any qualified candidate who requests a reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

At SPP we believe in a culture of belonging. Learn more here: Culture of Belonging - Southwest Power Pool.

Full job descriptions will be made available to those selected for an interview.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.