Lead Vendor Management Specialist

American Family Insurance; Boston (MA); Hybrid; USD 86,000 - 142,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company is seeking a professional for a vendor management role in Boston. This position involves collaboration with internal stakeholders to optimize vendor performance, develop strategies, and manage contracts across several departments. The ideal candidate will possess strong project management skills and a solid understanding of the insurance industry, contributing to data-driven decisions that enhance supplier value.

Benefits

Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision benefits

401(k) contribution and pension plan

Annual incentive and paid time off program

Student loan repayment program

Paid family leave

Qualifications

• Experience providing customer-driven solutions.
• Knowledge of project management practices.
• Understanding of the insurance industry.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with internal teams to coordinate vendor needs.
• Develop vendor strategies and performance metrics.
• Manage contract execution and supplier relations.

Skills

Customer-driven solutions

Project management methodologies

Insurance industry knowledge

Contract negotiation

Tools

Contract Management Systems

Job description

You will partner and collaborate with the sourcing department to coordinate product management needs, strategy, and vendor interactions. You will track vendor budgets/spend and monitor vendor performance analytics to identify areas of opportunity. The role will support supplier and contract strategy for Claims, Product Underwriting, Legal, and Contact Centers.

Position Compensation Range:

$86,000.00 - $142,000.00

Pay Rate Type:

Salary

Compensation may vary based on the job level and your geographic work location. Relocation support is offered for eligible candidates.

Primary Accountabilities:

• Internal Collaboration: Partners with internal business partners to plan, coordinate, and prioritize vendor needs.

• Vendor Strategy Development: Serves as a resource and collaborates with leadership to establish vendor strategy and needs, working with sourcing to implement solutions.

• RFP Development: Participates in the development of vendor selection requests for proposals.

• Performance Feedback: Partners with leadership and operations to solicit feedback on vendor performance; monitors and reports on vendor performance issues to ensure service level agreements are met.

• Metrics and Reporting: Establishes appropriate vendor solution metrics and develops reports and communications for leadership to understand ROI.

• Analysis and Recommendations: Provides analysis on vendor solution metrics, makes recommendations for changes and improvements, and understands budgeted vs. actual performance.

• Optimization Opportunities: Analyzes and identifies opportunities to optimize

• Supplier Collaboration: Embedded with suppliers to drive business strategies and foster innovation.

• Contract Management: Executes contracts, leads RFx events, conducts supplier risk assessments, and manages contracts.

• Category Strategy Development: Develops and implements category strategies in partnership with the business.

• Sourcing and Negotiation: Leads sourcing and negotiation strategies.

• Support Areas: Supports supplier and contract strategy for Claims, Product Underwriting, Legal, and Contact Centers.

• Data-Driven Optimization: Utilizes data-driven insights to optimize supplier value.

Specialized Knowledge & Skills Requirements:

• Demonstrated experience providing customer-driven solutions, support or service.

• Demonstrated experience in project management methodologies, practices, techniques and tools.

• Solid knowledge and understanding of processing systems and processes.

• Solid knowledge and understanding of the insurance industry and regulatory environment.

• Basic knowledge and understanding of contract negotiations.

In this flex office/home role, you will be expected to work a minimum of 10 days per month from one of the following office locations: Madison, WI 53783; Boston, MA 02110
Candidates must reside within a 50-mile radius of the office location (or 35-mile radius for Boston)

Travel Requirements
• Up to 10%.

Physical Requirements
• Work that primarily involves sitting/standing.

Working Conditions
• Not applicable.

Additional Requirements:

• Experience with Contract Management Systems

• Complex Negotiations: Experienced in complex negotiations and contract strategies.

• Senior Leadership Engagement: Experienced in presenting to, influencing, and strategizing with senior leadership.

• Supplier Relations: Proficient in managing supplier relationships.

We encourage you to apply even if you do not meet all of the requirements listed above. Skills can be used in many different ways, and your life and professional experience may be relevant beyond what a list of requirements will capture. We encourage those who are passionate about what we do to apply!

We provide benefits that support your physical, emotional, and financial wellbeing. You will have access to comprehensive medical, dental, vision and wellbeing benefits that enable you to take care of your health. We also offer a competitive 401(k) contribution, a pension plan, an annual incentive, 9 paid holidays and a paid time off program (23 days accrued annually for full-time employees). In addition, our student loan repayment program and paid-family leave are available to support our employees and their families. Interns and contingent workers are not eligible for American Family Insurance Group benefits.

We are an equal opportunity employer. It is our policy to comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws pertaining to non-discrimination, non-harassment and equal opportunity. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local law.

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