Vendor Manager

IRIS Networks; Brentwood (TN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

IRIS Networks is seeking a Vendor Manager to collaborate across Sales, Operations, and Finance to source and manage third‑party network services. You will document pricing, negotiate terms, and maintain accurate contract records to support customer solutions.

The role involves working with vendor partners, updating Salesforce/VISION data, and driving process improvements to speed quoting and accuracy. A degree in a related field and 3+ years of vendor management are preferred.

Qualifications

• 3+ years in vendor management or related commercial role.
• Experience with telecom services and vendor negotiations.
• Familiarity with CRM/vendor-management systems.

Responsibilities

• Partner with Sales to obtain, validate, and document vendor pricing and service options for transport, Internet, dark fiber, wavelength, colocation, wireless, and other off-net services.
• Negotiate pricing, service offerings, SLAs, and contract terms to support commercial and operational needs.
• Administer vendor agreements, amendments, exhibits, service orders, and related records.
• Review proposals and contracts for accuracy, completeness, and alignment with standards.
• Maintain contract information including pricing, terms, renewal dates, and obligations.
• Maintain Vendor Management data and tools in Salesforce, including products, pricing resources, and reports.
• Monitor performance and escalate issues to drive service improvements.
• Keep internal stakeholders informed on quotes, negotiations, and escalations.

Skills

Vendor management

Negotiation

Relationship management

Sales collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business/Telecommunications/Finance/Supply Chain/Contract Management

Tools

Salesforce

Job description

IRIS Networks is looking for a Vendor Manager to join our team and play a key role in supporting our commercial, sales, and operational objectives.

This is a hands‑on role for someone who enjoys working across teams, building strong vendor relationships, negotiating commercially sound agreements, and helping turn complex telecommunications requirements into workable solutions for our customers.

The Vendor Manager will work closely with Sales, Operations, Finance, leadership, and our external vendor partners to source and manage third‑party network services, support competitive customer solutions, maintain accurate vendor and contract information, and continuously improve the processes behind our quoting and vendor‑management functions.

What You’ll Do

In this role, you will:

• Partner with Sales to obtain, validate, and document vendor pricing and service options for transport, Internet, dark fiber, wavelength, colocation, wireless, and other off‑net services.
• Negotiate vendor pricing, service offerings, service‑level commitments, and contract terms that support IRIS’s commercial and operational requirements.
• Administer vendor agreements, amendments, exhibits, service orders, and related contract records.
• Review vendor proposals, pricing, contracts, and other documentation for accuracy, completeness, commercial reasonableness, and alignment with company standards.
• Maintain accurate contract information, including pricing, key terms, renewal and notice requirements, expiration dates, and vendor obligations.
• Maintain Vendor Management information and tools within Salesforce/VISION, including products, service areas, pricing resources, PMT, contract records, and reports.
• Monitor vendor performance, recurring service issues, SLA performance, and potential service‑credit opportunities, coordinating escalations through resolution.
• Maintain vendor contacts, escalation paths, operating procedures, and supporting documentation.
• Partner with Sales and Operations to resolve vendor‑related quoting, ordering, service, and escalation issues.
• Identify opportunities to improve processes, data quality, automation, quoting speed, and overall operational efficiency.
• Keep internal stakeholders and management informed regarding contracts, quotes, negotiations, and vendor escalations.

What We’re Looking For

The ideal candidate brings a combination of commercial judgment, telecommunications knowledge, attention to detail, and strong relationship‑management skills.

Preferred qualifications include

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Telecommunications, Finance, Supply Chain, Contract Management, or a related field.
• At least 3 years of experience in vendor management, carrier relations, telecommunications, procurement, contract administration, or a related commercial role.
• Experience sourcing or managing telecommunications services such as transport, Internet, dark fiber, wavelength, colocation, or wireless services.
• Experience reviewing and negotiating pricing, service terms, SLAs, and commercial agreements.
• Experience with Salesforce or a similar CRM/vendor‑management system.
• Strong analytical, organizational, negotiation, communication, and problem‑solving skills.
• The ability to manage multiple priorities, maintain accurate records, meet deadlines, and work independently.
• The ability to build productive relationships across internal teams and external vendor organizations.
  

Why IRIS Networks?

At IRIS, this role is about more than managing contracts and vendor records. The Vendor Manager helps support the solutions we deliver to customers, works across multiple areas of the business, and has an opportunity to improve how we source, quote, negotiate, and manage third‑party services. We value people who are collaborative, accountable, customer‑focused, and willing to help make both their team and the organization better.