Vendor Manager- FTTH

Position Summary: 

The Vendor Manager – FTTH is responsible for overseeing vendor relationships, contracts, and performance across fiber engineering, network construction, field operations, network maintenance, offnet circuits, and/or hardware procurement. This role ensures that vendors deliver on FTTH network deployments, customer installations, and network maintenance efficiently, within budget, and in compliance with technical and regulatory standards. The Vendor Manager works closely with internal stakeholders to drive operational efficiency, mitigate risks, and optimize vendor performance. 

Vendor Manager Critical Responsibilities:  

Vendor Strategy & Selection 

• Develop and execute a comprehensive vendor management strategy for FTTH network engineering, construction, installation, operations, and maintenance. 

• Identify, prequalify, and onboard vendors for engineering design, construction, materials supply, offnet circuits, installation services, and network maintenance. 

• Lead the RFP (Request for Proposal) process, ensuring thorough evaluation, cost analysis, and contract negotiations with selected vendors. 

• Align vendor selection with company growth plans, scalability requirements, and interoperability goals. 

Contract & Relationship Management 

• Negotiate contracts, Master Service Agreements (MSAs), and Service Level Agreements (SLAs) with engineering firms, construction contractors, and material suppliers. 

• Act as the primary liaison between internal teams and vendors to address contract execution, scope changes, and issue resolution. 

• Work closely with legal, procurement, and finance teams to ensure contract compliance with industry regulations, safety standards, and company policies. 

• Develop long-term partnerships with vendors to ensure stable supply chains and consistent service delivery. 

Performance & Risk Management 

• Define Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for vendor performance, including on-time delivery, quality of work, adherence to safety regulations, and cost control. 

• Conduct regular vendor audits, performance reviews, and site inspections to ensure contractual compliance. 

• Identify and mitigate risks related to vendor delays, material shortages, subcontractor management, and compliance issues. 

• Implement vendor scorecards and reporting tools to track and improve vendor performance over time. 

Stakeholder Collaboration 

• Work closely with stakeholder teams to ensure vendor deliverables align with project milestones. 

• Support vendor coordination for various teams to ensure alignment with operational goals and objectives. 

• Ensure vendor-provided materials (fiber optic cables, cabinets, handholes, poles, etc.) meet technical specifications and deployment requirements. 

• Help resolve on-the-ground challenges related to vendor execution, delays quality, and emergent issues. 

• Maintain vendor contingency plans to address market fluctuations, material price increases, and supplier failures. 

Qualifications & Experience: 

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, or a related field. 

• 5 years of experience in vendor management, procurement, or contract negotiations within telecommunications, FTTH, or network infrastructure. 

• Proven experience managing engineering and construction vendors for fiber network builds. 

• Knowledge of industry regulations, safety standards (OSHA, NESC), and construction best practices. 

• Strong analytical skills to assess vendor bids, performance metrics, and project costs. 

• Excellent negotiation, stakeholder management, and problem-solving skills.