Vendor Management Director

Recruiting for Good; Oakland (CA); Hybrid; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Recruiting for Good seeks a senior Vendor Management Director to lead strategy, governance, and performance of external partnerships. Based in the Bay Area, you will coordinate with procurement, legal, finance, and operations to ensure contracts are well-managed and aligned with business goals.

You will build a high-performing vendor function, drive value, mitigate risk, and deliver insights to executives. A senior leader with strategic execution skills is a fit.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in vendor management or related procurement functions.
• Proven success leading vendor programs and complex supplier relationships.
• Experience developing governance frameworks and performance metrics.
• Ability to negotiate with senior stakeholders and manage contractual terms.
• Cross-functional collaboration with legal, finance, procurement, and operations.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead the vendor management strategy, framework, and governance model.
• Oversee lifecycle of vendor relationships from selection through offboarding.
• Establish metrics, scorecards, and reporting for service quality and impact.
• Build relationships with key vendors and act as escalation point for issues.
• Align vendor services with business needs and long-term goals.
• Lead contract performance reviews with legal, procurement, and finance.
• Identify opportunities to improve value, reduce costs, and raise service levels.
• Monitor vendor risk, continuity plans, and ensure controls are in place.
• Drive resolution of performance concerns with structured improvement plans.
• Provide leadership and mentorship to the vendor management team.

Skills

Vendor management

Contract negotiation

Stakeholder management

Cross-functional collaboration

Analytical thinking

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Communication skills

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience

Job description

Must live in the Bay Area

Be a US Citizen or US Resident

Vendor Management Director

Overview

Recruiting for Good is seeking a senior-level Vendor Management Director to lead the strategy, performance, and governance of vendor relationships across the organization. This role is responsible for building a high-performing vendor management function that supports business goals, reduces risk, improves service quality, and drives long-term value from external partnerships.

The Vendor Management Director will work cross-functionally with procurement, legal, finance, operations, and business leaders to ensure vendors deliver against expectations, contracts are effectively managed, and relationships are aligned with company priorities. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced leader who can combine strategic thinking with operational execution in a flexible remote/hybrid environment based in Oakland, United States.

Responsibilities

• Develop and lead the company’s vendor management strategy, framework, and governance model

• Oversee the full lifecycle of vendor relationships, including selection support, onboarding, performance management, renewals, and offboarding

• Establish vendor performance metrics, scorecards, and reporting processes to evaluate service quality, delivery, compliance, and business impact

• Build strong relationships with key vendors and serve as the primary escalation point for strategic supplier issues

• Partner with internal stakeholders to align vendor services with business needs, operational requirements, and long-term organizational goals

• Lead contract performance reviews and collaborate with legal, procurement, and finance teams to ensure commercial terms are understood and managed effectively

• Identify opportunities to improve vendor value, optimize costs, strengthen service levels, and streamline vendor-related processes

• Monitor vendor risk, compliance, and business continuity considerations, and ensure appropriate controls are in place

• Drive resolution of vendor performance concerns through structured improvement plans, issue tracking, and stakeholder communication

• Create and maintain vendor policies, standards, and documentation to support consistency and accountability across the organization

• Provide leadership, guidance, and mentorship to team members involved in vendor management and supplier oversight

• Deliver regular updates and insights to senior leadership on vendor performance, trends, risks, and opportunities

Requirements

Required

• Significant experience in vendor management, supplier management, procurement, strategic sourcing, or a related function

• Proven success leading vendor management programs and overseeing complex, high-value supplier relationships

• Strong experience developing vendor governance frameworks, performance metrics, and service review processes

• Demonstrated ability to negotiate, influence, and manage relationships with senior internal and external stakeholders

• Strong understanding of contracts, service level agreements, vendor risk management, and compliance considerations

• Experience working cross-functionally with legal, finance, procurement, operations, and business leadership

• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills

• Strong communication and presentation skills, with the ability to translate vendor performance data into clear business insights

• Experience leading teams, driving process improvements, and managing change across functions

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional experience

Nice to Have

• Experience in a multi-vendor, highly regulated, or complex operational environment

• Familiarity with vendor management systems, procurement platforms, or contract lifecycle management tools

• Advanced degree or relevant professional certification in procurement, supply chain, contract management, or vendor risk

• Experience building or transforming a vendor management office or centralized supplier governance function

What Success Looks Like

• Vendor relationships are managed consistently through a clear governance structure and measurable performance standards

• Strategic vendors deliver reliable service, strong business value, and improved alignment with organizational goals

• Risks, performance issues, and contract obligations are proactively identified and addressed

• Internal stakeholders have confidence in vendor oversight, reporting, and decision-making processes

• The vendor management function operates as a trusted strategic partner to the business

Work Environment

This role is based in Oakland, United States, with a flexible remote/hybrid working model. The position offers the opportunity to collaborate with cross-functional teams while maintaining flexibility in how and where work is performed.

Growth Opportunity

This role offers the opportunity to shape and elevate the vendor management function at a strategic level. The Vendor Management Director will play a visible leadership role, influence key business decisions, and help build scalable practices that support organizational growth and operational excellence.