Senior Vendor Relations & Contract Strategy Leader

McDonald's; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 146,000 - 182,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Bonus eligible

Long-term incentive

Stock grants

Job summary

McDonald’s is seeking a Senior Manager of Vendor Relationship Management & Contract Relations to lead strategic U.S. Technology supplier relationships and guide the contract lifecycle.

You will ensure alignment with priorities, manage renewals, and drive governance across SLAs and commercial terms. The role requires deep experience in vendor/contract management, cross-functional collaboration with IS&P, Finance, Legal, and Business stakeholders, and a track record of improving supplier

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in vendor management, supplier management, or related disciplines.
• 3+ years of experience leading teams, complex supplier relationships, or enterprise-level cross-functional initiatives.
• Demonstrated experience managing strategic technology suppliers and complex commercial relationships.
• Strong understanding of contract lifecycle management, including RFPs, SOWs, amendments, change requests, renewals, SLAs, commercial terms, and contract governance.
• Experience partnering with Procurement/Sourcing, Legal, Finance, and Technology organizations.
• Proven ability to lead complex negotiations and resolve supplier or contractual escalations.
• Strong executive communication, stakeholder management, analytical, and influencing skills.
• Ability to translate contractual and commercial issues into clear business risks, options, and recommendations.

Responsibilities

• Own the U.S. Technology contract renewal strategy and provide visibility to upcoming renewals, amendments, change requests, and other significant commercial events.
• Lead across the contract lifecycle, from business requirements and sourcing through negotiation, execution, performance management, renewal, and exit.
• Partner with IS&P throughout sourcing, RFP, negotiation, and contracting activities while representing U.S. Technology's business and operational requirements.
• Establish and continuously improve U.S. Technology contracting standards, including terms, SLA expectations, commercial requirements, and governance principles.
• Ensure new contracts, renewals, amendments, and Statements of Work align with approved U.S. Technology standards and strategic objectives.
• Serve as a senior escalation point when contractual interpretation, supplier obligations, commercial terms, or business expectations require resolution.
• Act as an SME for U.S. Technology's SOW approval and contract governance processes.
• Liaison with IS&P, contract negotiations, standard terms and SLAs, SOW approvals, contract renewals, and contract process improvement.

Skills

Vendor management

Contract management

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

Executive communication

Cross-functional leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher in Business/Tech/Supply Chain/Finance

Job description

McDonald’s is seeking a Senior Manager of Vendor Relationship Management & Contract Relations to lead strategic U.S. Technology supplier relationships and guide the contract lifecycle.

You will ensure alignment with priorities, manage renewals, and drive governance across SLAs and commercial terms. The role requires deep experience in vendor/contract management, cross-functional collaboration with IS&P, Finance, Legal, and Business stakeholders, and a track record of improving supplier