Critical Vendor Manager -Operational Readiness

Riot Platforms; Rockdale (TX); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Sign-on equity grant

401(k) with company match

Health coverage: comprehensive plans

Gym membership

Pet insurance

Childcare discounts

Job summary

Riot Platforms seeks a Critical Vendor Manager to own the vendor relationship program across Riot’s maintenance and repair critical vendors. You will design the framework, establish KPI tracking, and run scorecards for Riot and vendors, enabling continuous improvement and mutual feedback.

You will work with site Critical Operations Managers to qualify vendors, maintain the Approved Vendor List, and oversee contract renewals and governance.

Qualifications

• 7+ years in vendor/supplier management within data center, industrial, or critical infra environments.
• Bachelor's degree preferred; equivalent experience considered.
• Ability to travel 50% of the time.
• CPSM or similar procurement/vendor management certification preferred.
• Experience building or running a vendor scorecard / KPI program with reciprocal feedback.
• Experience with critical infrastructure trade vendor categories (electrical, mechanical, fire/life safety, water treatment).
• Strong negotiation and relationship-management skills; escalation point between internal teams and vendors.
• Familiarity with vendor risk/compliance screening and SOC 2 or similar frameworks a plus.

Responsibilities

• Own the vendor relationship program for maintenance and repair critical vendors; set structure, governance, and performance metrics.
• Design and maintain vendor performance scorecards and KPI tracking, covering quality, safety, schedule adherence, and conformance to standards.
• Build and run reciprocal feedback with vendors and define paths for constructive feedback.
• Track continuous-improvement metrics in partnership with vendors.
• Serve as escalation intermediary for site teams on performance or coverage issues and drive resolution.
• Execute vendor selection evaluations and onboarding verification with site managers and standards.
• Own vendor qualification and Approved Vendor List administration with required data and evidence.
• Manage contract renewal timing and coverage-gap tracking; flag expirations early.
• Coordinate with Maintenance Strategy Manager on which scopes are vendor-performed and ensure SOW alignment.
• Maintain vendor performance and nonconformance records for SOC 2 scope evidence.

Skills

Vendor management

Contract management

Vendor scorecard / KPI program

Negotiation

SOC 2 / compliance familiarity

Travel 50%

CPSM certification

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business / Supply Chain / Engineering

Job description

About Riot Platforms

Riot’s (NASDAQ: RIOT) vision is to be the world’s most trusted platform for powering and buildingdigital infrastructure.Riot’s mission is to empower the future of digital infrastructure by positivelyimpactingthe sectors, networks, and communities that we touch. We believe that the combination of an innovative spirit and strong community partnership allows us to achieve best-in-class execution and create successful outcomes.

Who we are

At Riot,we’rebuilding the future of digital infrastructure. Our team members have unparalleled opportunities to work on groundbreaking initiatives. Through technical excellence and strategic execution, Riot has positioned itself as a leader in the industry driving advancements that continue to set new benchmarks in digital infrastructure.

Weare trailblazers. Problem solvers. People who thrive in fast pacedenvironments,communicate clearly, and bring relentless focus to efficiency and execution.

About the role

Riot is seeking a Critical Vendor Manager to own the vendor relationship program for Riot's maintenance and repair critical vendors — the trade vendors (electrical, mechanical, fire/life safety, water treatment, and similar categories) that perform maintenance and repair work across the data center portfolio.

You will design and run the vendor performance management program: KPI tracking and scorecarding in both directions — Riot's assessment of vendors, and a defined path for vendors to provide constructive feedback on Riot — continuous-improvement tracking, and program-level effectiveness evaluation. Day-to-day vendor relationship management sits with site teams; this role owns the program framework, standards, and metrics they operate within. You will execute and assure against the Vendor Management Standard, own vendor qualification, and maintain the Approved Vendor List.

This position is remote/hybrid, with regular travel to the Rockdale or and Riots sites.

What you'll do

• O wn the vendor relationship program for maintenance and repair critical vendors across the portfolio — setting program structure, governance, and performance metrics, and evaluating program effectiveness at the portfolio level
• Design and maintain vendor performance scorecards and KPI tracking for maintenance and repair critical vendors, covering quality, safety, schedule adherence, and conformance to the Vendor Management Standard
• Build and run the reciprocal feedback process — vendors formally scoring Riot's performance as a partner, with a defined path for vendors to provide constructive feedback
• Set and track continuous-improvement metrics in partnership with vendors, driving shared improvement initiatives rather than one-directional scorekeeping
• Serve as the escalation intermediary for site teams raising vendor performance or coverage issues, working the issue to resolution or to a documented corrective action
• Execute vendor selection evaluations and onboarding verification for maintenance and repair critical vendor scopes, in partnership with site Critical Operations Managers and per the Vendor Management Standard
• Own vendor qualification and Approved Vendor List administration by maintaining the performance data and evidence that qualification reviews depend on
• Own contract renewal timing and coverage-gap tracking for critical vendors — flagging warranty and contract expirations before they become coverage lapses
• Partner with the Maintenance Strategy Manager on which maintenance scopes are vendor-performed, ensuring vendor statements of work stay aligned to the governing equipment strategy
• Maintain vendor performance and nonconformance records as audit-ready evidence supporting SOC 2 scope

What you'll have

• 7 + years of experience in vendor/supplier management, contract management, or vendor performance management within data center, industrial, or other critical infrastructure environments
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Engineering, or a related field preferred; equivalent experience considered
• Ability to travel 50% of the time
• CPSM or a similar procurement/vendor management certification, strongly preferred
• Demonstrated experience building or running a vendor scorecard/KPI program, ideally with a reciprocal (two-way) feedback component
• Experience with critical infrastructure trade vendor categories — electrical, mechanical, fire/life safety, water treatment, or similar
• Strong negotiation and relationship-management skills; comfortable serving as an escalation point between internal teams and external vendors
• Familiarity with vendor risk/compliance screening (insurance, safety program review) and SOC 2 or similar compliance frameworks a plus

Compensation and Benefits

• Competitive Salary: Base range (commensuratewith experience) + bonus + sign-on equity grant.
• Long-Term Growth: Eligible toparticipatein Riot’s equity incentive programs and share in the success you help build.
• 401(k) Retirement Plan: Incudes a generous company match.
• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Multiple medical plan options, including 100% company-paid plans.
• Wellness & Lifestyle Perks: Enjoy free gymmemberships, pet insurance, childcare discounts, and more to support your life both in and out of work.

Riot is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.