Vendor Management Coordinator

Rkon Inc; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Flexible time off

401(k) Plan with employer match

Job summary

Rkon Inc in Chicago is seeking a Vendor Management Associate to establish and maintain effective relationships with vendors. This role offers a hybrid working environment and emphasizes collaboration across various departments.

The ideal candidate should have a Bachelor's degree, at least 2 years of relevant experience, and a strong analytical mindset. Compensation ranges from $60,000 to $70,000, plus benefits including health insurance and flexible time off.

Qualifications

• 2+ years of experience in vendor management or supply chain management.
• Hands-on expertise in cost reduction and vendor relationship management.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to interpret data.

Responsibilities

• Establish and maintain vendor relationships.
• Ensure effective vendor management processes.
• Conduct regular vendor performance reviews.

Skills

Vendor management

Technology procurement

Analytical mindset

Strong MS Office skills

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in relevant field

Tools

MS Excel

Job description

Since 1998, RKON has delivered IT transformation that helps private equity and enterprise firms achieve seamless security—from strategy to execution to managed services. We believe IT should serve the business strategy, not stand in the way of execution. Headquartered in Chicago, our team has developed a refined approach that delivers a clear vision of a scalable, agile, secure, cost-optimized, and low-risk end state.

RKON is growing fast, and that growth means incredible opportunities for our team members. We pride ourselves on fostering a culture of creative thinking and collaboration, where ideas are valued, contributions are recognized, and professional development is a priority. Our people are at the heart of everything we do, and this commitment drives the extraordinary level of service we deliver to our customers. If you’re looking for a place where growth creates new possibilities and your potential is truly valued, RKON is the place for you.

About the Position

The Vendor Management Associate will be responsible for establishing and maintaining effective relationships with RKON’s vendors and distributors. This individual will collaborate cross-functionally with various departments within the organization to ensure that vendor performance meets or exceeds our expectations and contributes to the overall success of the company.

This position is based in Chicago offering flexibility and a hybrid environment.

Responsibilities

• Ensures the end-to-end vendor management processes and sales operations procurement policies are implemented efficiently.
• Build and maintain vendor and distributor relationships with the objectives of eliminating inefficiencies, reducing total costs, and increasing productivity.
• Build optimized processes for vendor identification, selection (RFP/RFIs when appropriate), onboarding, and change management.
• Procuring and processing internal company orders related to software and equipment.
• Support contract reviews and renewals and make recommendations to mitigate business and contractual risk, while ensuring favorable terms and conditions that align with business objectives.
• Collaborate with and support Accounting with activities that include invoice validation, billing dispute resolution, cost analysis, and benchmarking.
• Conduct regular vendor performance reviews and provide feedback to vendors as necessary.
• Serve as the point of contact to resolve any issues or disputes that may arise with vendors in a timely and effective manner.
• Work toward the standardization of vendor management processes that achieve compliance standards and enable practical, efficient business functions.
• Participates in special projects and performs other duties as assigned.

Ideal Candidate Profile

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field: information technology, business, supply chain, finance, or relevant work experience.
• 2+ years of experience in vendor management, technology procurement, or supply chain management; experience purchasing software and cloud services, a plus.
• Expertise in the IT supplier market: major suppliers, trends, threats/cyber security, terms, etc.
• Hands-on expertise developing and implementing programs for cost reduction, vendor relationship management, asset tagging and tracking, supplier performance management, and well-versed in all stages of IT procurement.
• Understanding vendor contract language.
• Strong MS Office (Word/Excel/Outlook) skills, including data analytics.
• Analytical mindset with the ability to interpret data and make data-driven decisions.
• Must be energetic, self-motivated, and work well in a team environment with the ability to operate independently.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Adapts and thrives in a fast-paced environment; periodically reevaluates processes for business process improvement and modernization.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams.
• Possesses a high level of critical thinking to determine the best vendor prices, process, and products available.
• Demonstrated ability to identify and resolve complex issues, effectively and with minimal supervision.
• Operates with a high level of professionalism and integrity, including dealing with confidential information.

Compensation

The base salary range for this position is $60,000- $70,000. This is an estimated range based on the circumstances at the time of posting, however, may change based on a combination of factors, including but not limited to skills, experience, education, market factors, geographical location, budget, and demand. This position is also eligible for a bonus component that would be dependent on pre-defined performance factors. As part of our total compensation package, RKON provides a benefits package that includes health insurance (medical, dental, vision, life, and long and short-term disability insurance); flexible time off; and a 401(k) Plan with employer match to qualifying employees.

What RKON offers

• Competitive pay
• Flexible hours
• Flexible working option
• Vacation/Sick/Personal time
• Training programs
• A team of highly skilled peers available to help