Vendor Manager

ThinkHQ; City of Melbourne; Hybrid; AUD 60,000 - 90,000; Part time

Job summary

Think HQ in Melbourne, Victoria, is seeking a Vendor Manager to grow our network of freelance translators and linguists for our Language Services team. This part-time, hybrid role focuses on onboarding, supplier management and ensuring ISO 17100 compliance.

You’ll recruit translators across languages, maintain vendor records, monitor performance and support NAATI certification workflows, with opportunities for professional development and community engagement projects.

Qualifications

• Strong administration, coordination or vendor/supplier management experience.
• Excellent organisation and attention to detail.
• Clear, thoughtful written and verbal communication.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and follow things through.
• Confidence working with systems, databases and operational processes.
• Experience in translation, localisation, language services, NAATI or ISO 17100 is valued.

Responsibilities

• Recruit translators and linguists across languages and specialisations.
• Manage supplier onboarding, including competency testing and contracts.
• Maintain vendor records covering language pairs and availability.
• Monitor translator performance, quality and capacity.
• Provide feedback and support continuous improvement.
• Build strong relationships with the freelance translator community.
• Act as a key contact between translators and internal teams.
• Coordinate professional development opportunities and events.
• Support NAATI recertification and ISO 17100 compliance.
• Raise and reconcile purchase orders; assist with invoicing queries.

Skills

Vendor management

Administration

Organization

Communication

Stakeholder management

Job description

As our Vendor Manager, you’ll manage and grow the network of freelance translators and linguists that supports our Language Services team.

You’ll be responsible for finding and onboarding the right suppliers, maintaining strong relationships, keeping our vendor data and certifications in good shape, and supporting quality and compliance with ISO 17100.

You’ll also work closely with our broader teams, including Audience Insights & Engagement, to support research and community engagement projects where language and cultural expertise are needed.

Key responsibilities include:

• Recruit translators and linguists across different languages, specialisations and subject areas.
• Manage supplier onboarding, including competency testing, contracts, qualifications and NAATI certification records.
• Maintain accurate vendor records covering language pairs, specialisations, availability and other key information.
• Monitor translator performance, quality, availability and capacity.
• Provide clear, constructive feedback and support continuous improvement.
• Build strong, trusted relationships with our freelance translator community.
• Act as a key point of contact between translators and our internal teams, resolving questions and issues as they arise.
• Coordinate professional development opportunities, webinars, training and translator events.
• Support initiatives contributing to translator engagement and NAATI recertification.
• Help maintain our ISO 17100 framework, workflows, documentation, internal training and audit readiness.
• Maintain our vendor registry and support systems including Monday.com and Smartcat.
• Raise and reconcile purchase orders and help ensure supplier invoices are submitted and processed correctly.
• Work with translators and our Finance team to resolve payment, invoicing or reconciliation queries.
• Support other operational activities across the Language Services team as needed.

You’ll be someone who enjoys working with people and detail. You’re organised, responsive and comfortable keeping lots of moving pieces on track without losing sight of the relationships behind them.

You’ll ideally bring:

• Strong administration, coordination or vendor/supplier management experience.
• Excellent organisation and attention to detail.
• Confidence building relationships with a diverse network of external suppliers.
• Clear, thoughtful written and verbal communication.
• The ability to manage competing priorities and follow things through.
• Confidence working with systems, databases and operational processes.
• A practical, collaborative approach to solving problems.

Experience in translation, localisation, language services, NAATI or ISO 17100 would be highly regarded, but you don’t need to know everything on day one. Curiosity, good judgement and a willingness to learn matter too.

Part-time and flexible work arrangements can be considered. Think HQ is a family-friendly, hybrid workplace.

Think HQ values inclusion and diversity. We welcome and actively encourage applications from people of all ages, abilities and cultures, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, LGBTQIA+ people, people from multicultural communities, people who speak a language other than English, people with disabilities, older Australians and parents returning to the workforce.