Vendor Relationship Specialist

Canada Life; London; On-site; CAD 57,000 - 86,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Career development

Health & Wellness benefits

Volunteer day

Pension plan

Employee discounts

Job summary

Canada Life is seeking a Vendor Specialist in London, Ontario. The role acts as the primary liaison with external vendors to resolve invoicing issues, complaints, and contract or system concerns. You will oversee governance, vendor performance, and escalate senior leadership when needed.

You will build strong relationships with vendor contacts, lead governance forums, monitor KPIs, and enforce contract obligations while ensuring compliance and risk controls.

Qualifications

• 5-7 years of relevant related experience.
• Post-secondary degree or equivalent.
• Strong customer service background with external and internal clients.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Liaise with vendors and manage escalations.
• Oversee invoicing, billing issues, and vendor financials.
• Provide concierge customer service and handle ad-hoc requests.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate governance, risk and compliance concerns.

Skills

Vendor management

Customer service

Communication

Relationship building

Project management

Education

Post-secondary degree

Tools

Vendor software

Job description

Permanent Full Time

The Vendor Specialist will act as the primary liaison between the business area and our outside vendors to resolve issues relating to invoicing, client complaints, vendor contracts or system issues.

The Specialist is accountable for the end-to-end governance and performance of strategic vendors. This role ensures vendor delivery aligns to contractual commitments, service levels, financial expectations, and risk/compliance requirements, while acting as the primary escalation point and executive relationship lead.

The Specialist will help to maintain strong working relationships with our external vendors.

What you will do

Liaison with vendors

• Owns relationship with identified vendor/s
• Responsible for resolution of escalated vendor issues
• Build and develop relationships with contacts from outside vendors in order to maintain good business partnerships
• Leads monthly/quarterly governance forums
• Drives continuous improvement
• Interfaces with business and vendor leadership
• Manages KPI's and contractual obligations
• Enforces performance and remediation
• May provide day-to-day operational oversight to on-site vendor staff, including monitoring service delivery, identifying performance or conduct concerns, and communicating feedback or issues to the vendor's management team for resolution.

Invoicing and Reporting

• Responsible for working with vendors on any billing issues or discrepancies
• Oversee vendor financials and invoicing
• Provides reporting and insight to executives

Concierge Customer Service

• Work with our vendors to facilitate any ad-hoc requests
• Intermediary for client complaints
• Supporting administrative tasks for the team

Risk and Compliance

• Identifies and mitigates risks
• Ensures regulatory and audit alignment

What you will bring

• 5-7 years of relevant related experience
• Education/skills acquired through completion of a post-secondary degree or equivalent (e.g. non-specialized bachelor degree or business-related community college diploma).
• Fluent in the use of a PC and related software (including vendor software)
• Proven strength in a customer service position providing services to multiple external and internal clients
• Excellent communication skills (both oral and written)
• Proven ability to maintain strong business relationships and work collaboratively
• Ability to work with all levels of management
• Proven organizational skills
• Demonstrated ability to establish priorities, problem solve and meet deadlines
• Self-motivated and innovative with high level of initiative
• Reliability Status Security Clearance - this can only be completed with candidates who receive an offer of employment. This is a personal security status that is required as a condition of employment before an employee can gain access to Protected B information, assets or work sites as outlined by the Government of Canada website. The cost of submitting these checks will be covered by Canada Life.

The base salary for this position is between $57,100 - $85,600 annually. This represents base salary only and does not represent other variable compensation components of our total compensation ( i.e. annual bonus, commission etc). If you are selected to move forward in our recruitment process, your recruiter will be able to discuss additional details of our total rewards program with you.

Career opportunities will be open a minimum of 5 business days from the date of posting, closing dates will vary depending on the search activity. All applications received will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

Grow with Canada Life

We're united by a shared purpose: to improve the financial, physical and mental well-being of Canadians. Our company is trusted by 1 in 3 Canadians and contributes to the strength of communities across the country.

We're looking for people who live our values everyday: we step up, we do the right thing, and we deliver - for our customers, communities and each other. Are you someone who always strives to do the right thing, who steps up for themselves and others, and who delivers with impact? Then we want to hear from you!

What we offer

• Career Development: Opportunities for career advancement, access to industry-leading learning programs and up to$2,000 annually towards education reimbursement.
• Health & Wellness:Flexible health and dental benefits, plus a $5,000 mental health benefit to support your well-being.
• Time Off:In addition to regular vacation and personal days, we support community involvement with a volunteer day.
• Financial Security:Company-matching pension plan,share ownership program and additionalinvestment options.
• Rewards and Recognition: Employee recognition programs, service milestone celebrations, employee discounts and more!
• Emphasis on Community: We provide a workplace where employees feel connected and supported through Employee Resource Groups (ERGs), mentorship programs, social clubs and events.

Learn more about Canada Life.

We're committed to removing barriers and ensuring equal access to employment. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodation during the application process may contact [e-mail]. All information provided will be handled in accordance with applicable laws and Canada Life policies.

Canada Life would like to thank all applicants, however only those who qualify for an interview will be contacted.