Vendor Manager – Supplier Performance and Contracts

The Elite Job; Tempe (AZ); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote or hybrid work options

Professional development opportunities

Paid leave and holidays

Career advancement opportunities

Job summary

The Elite Job is seeking a Vendor Manager – Supplier Performance and Contracts to oversee supplier relationships, manage contracts, and ensure vendors meet quality, cost, delivery, and service expectations. You will drive cost optimization, risk management, and procurement efficiency across departments.

The ideal candidate has strong negotiation skills, excellent communication, and practical knowledge of vendor management, contract administration, and supplier performance measurement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent in a related field.
• Strong understanding of vendor management, supplier relationships, procurement processes, and contract administration.
• Excellent negotiation and influencing skills with positive supplier relationships.
• Clear written and verbal communication with vendors and stakeholders.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities using supplier data.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and procurement tools; ERP/CLM familiarity is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain productive supplier relationships and ensure accountability.
• Establish KPIs to evaluate quality, delivery, pricing, responsiveness, and service levels.
• Prepare and maintain vendor contracts and renewal schedules.
• Lead or support contract negotiations on pricing, terms, and SLAs.
• Conduct supplier performance reviews and develop improvement plans.
• Coordinate with procurement, finance, and operations to align with budgets.

Skills

Negotiation

Analytical thinking

Communication

Organization

Problem solving

Reporting

Technology

Education

Bachelors degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Procurement, Finance, Operations Management

Tools

ERP systems

Contract lifecycle management

Supplier management systems

Job description

1. Job Summary

The Elite Job is seeking a highly organized, analytical, and results-driven Vendor Manager – Supplier Performance and Contracts to oversee supplier relationships, manage contractual agreements, and ensure vendors consistently meet the organizations quality, cost, delivery, and service expectations. This role is essential to maintaining a reliable supplier network, improving procurement efficiency, reducing operational risks, and supporting the companys long‑term business objectives.

The successful candidate will be responsible for evaluating vendor performance, negotiating commercial terms, monitoring contractual obligations, resolving supplier‑related issues, and identifying opportunities for cost optimization. The Vendor Manager will collaborate closely with procurement, finance, operations, legal, and other internal departments to ensure that supplier partnerships deliver measurable value.

This position is ideal for a professional with strong negotiation skills, excellent communication abilities, and a practical understanding of vendor management, contract administration, and supplier performance measurement. The ideal candidate will take a proactive approach to relationship management, compliance monitoring, risk assessment, and continuous improvement.

2. Key Responsibilities

• Vendor Relationship Management: Develop and maintain productive relationships with existing and prospective suppliers, ensuring effective communication, mutual accountability, and long‑term collaboration.
• Supplier Performance Monitoring: Establish performance standards and key performance indicators (KPIs) to evaluate vendor quality, delivery timelines, pricing, responsiveness, reliability, and service levels.
• Contract Administration: Prepare, review, organize, and maintain vendor contracts, service agreements, purchase terms, renewal schedules, and related documentation in accordance with internal policies.
• Contract Negotiation: Support or lead negotiations involving pricing, payment terms, delivery schedules, service‑level agreements, warranties, and other commercial conditions.
• Performance Reviews: Conduct regular supplier performance assessments and business reviews to identify gaps, recognize strong performance, and establish improvement plans where necessary.
• Procurement Coordination: Work with procurement and purchasing teams to ensure supplier selection, onboarding, and contract execution align with business requirements and approved budgets.
• Risk Management: Identify potential supplier risks, including delivery disruptions, financial instability, compliance concerns, quality issues, and overdependence on individual vendors.
• Cost Optimization: Analyze supplier pricing, contract terms, and purchasing trends to identify cost‑saving opportunities without compromising product quality or service standards.
• Issue Resolution: Investigate vendor complaints, delayed deliveries, invoice discrepancies, contractual disputes, and service failures, coordinating timely corrective action.
• Compliance and Documentation: Ensure vendor agreements and supplier activities comply with applicable laws, company policies, confidentiality requirements, and relevant procurement standards.
• Vendor Onboarding: Coordinate supplier registration, due diligence, documentation verification, approval workflows, and communication of organizational expectations.
• Reporting and Analysis: Prepare reports on supplier performance, contract status, spending patterns, risk exposure, savings opportunities, and compliance outcomes.
• Cross‑Functional Collaboration: Partner with finance, legal, operations, quality assurance, and department leaders to resolve vendor‑related challenges and support business priorities.
• Contract Renewals: Track contract expiration dates, renewal conditions, notice periods, and price adjustments to prevent avoidable disruptions and unfavorable automatic renewals.
• Continuous Improvement: Recommend improvements to vendor selection processes, contract management systems, supplier scorecards, and procurement workflows.
• Confidentiality: Protect sensitive commercial information, contract details, supplier pricing, and company records throughout the vendor management process.

3. Required Skills and Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Procurement, Finance, Operations Management, or a related field.
• Demonstrated understanding of vendor management, supplier relationship management, procurement processes, and contract administration.
• Strong negotiation and influencing skills, with the ability to achieve favorable commercial outcomes while maintaining positive supplier relationships.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for interacting with vendors, internal stakeholders, and senior management.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving abilities, including the capacity to interpret supplier performance data and identify improvement opportunities.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and other commonly used business productivity tools.
• Familiarity with procurement platforms, enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, contract lifecycle management software, or supplier management systems is an advantage.
• Excellent organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple vendors, contracts, deadlines, and priorities simultaneously.
• Sound understanding of contract terms, service‑level agreements, performance metrics, and commercial risk management.
• Strong attention to detail when reviewing agreements, tracking renewal dates, checking invoices, and maintaining supplier records.
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion, integrity, and professionalism.
• A collaborative mindset, practical decision‑making skills, and a commitment to ethical business practices.

4. Experience

Candidates with approximately 3–6 years of relevant experience in vendor management, supplier relationship management, procurement, sourcing, contract administration, or supply chain operations are preferred.

Relevant experience may include:

• Managing supplier relationships across multiple categories or business functions.
• Reviewing and monitoring vendor contracts, purchase agreements, and service‑level commitments.
• Negotiating pricing, payment schedules, delivery terms, and contract renewals.
• Developing supplier scorecards and tracking performance against agreed KPIs.
• Managing vendor onboarding, documentation, compliance checks, and approval processes.
• Resolving supplier disputes, delivery delays, quality concerns, and contractual discrepancies.
• Preparing management reports, conducting spend analysis, and recommending cost‑saving initiatives.
• Coordinating with finance, legal, procurement, and operational teams to achieve business objectives.

Candidates with less experience may also be considered if they demonstrate strong analytical ability, relevant academic qualifications, excellent communication skills, and a genuine interest in procurement and supplier management.

Professional certifications in procurement, supply chain management, or contract management are an advantage but are not mandatory unless required by the specific position.

5. Working Hours

• Employment Type: Full‑time.
• Work Arrangement: Remote, hybrid, or office‑based, depending on the positions operational requirements.
• Typical Schedule: Approximately 40 hours per week, generally Monday through Friday.
• Working Hours: Standard business hours, with reasonable flexibility where business requirements permit.
• Vendor Meetings: Occasional meetings with suppliers and internal stakeholders may be required across different time zones.
• Additional Availability: Limited flexibility may be necessary during contract negotiations, supplier escalations, renewals, or urgent procurement situations.

The final working schedule, employment arrangement, and location requirements will be communicated during the recruitment process.

6. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge

• Vendor lifecycle management, supplier evaluation, procurement procedures, and sourcing practices.
• Contract fundamentals, including payment terms, renewal provisions, termination clauses, and service‑level agreements.
• Supplier performance management frameworks, KPI tracking, and performance improvement planning.
• Procurement budgeting, spend analysis, cost control, and commercial negotiations.
• Supplier risk assessment, compliance monitoring, and business continuity planning.
• Contract documentation, recordkeeping, and internal approval procedures.
• Ethical sourcing principles, confidentiality requirements, and responsible supplier relationship management.

Skills

• Negotiation: Secure commercially beneficial terms while supporting sustainable supplier partnerships.
• Analytical Thinking: Interpret supplier data, compare commercial proposals, and identify performance trends.
• Communication: Explain requirements clearly, manage difficult conversations, and maintain constructive working relationships.
• Organization: Coordinate multiple contracts, vendor records, performance reviews, and renewal deadlines.
• Problem‑Solving: Investigate issues, evaluate alternatives, and implement practical solutions.
• Reporting: Produce accurate vendor performance reports, dashboards, and management summaries.
• Technology: Use spreadsheets, procurement systems, digital contract repositories, and collaboration tools effectively.

Abilities

• Build trust‑based relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Balance cost efficiency, quality, service delivery, and risk considerations.
• Make informed decisions using data, commercial judgment, and organizational priorities.
• Identify potential contract or supplier issues before they become significant problems.
• Work independently while contributing effectively to cross‑functional teams.
• Adapt to changing business needs, supplier market conditions, and organizational priorities.
• Maintain professionalism, fairness, accountability, and confidentiality in all vendor‑related activities.

7. Benefits

• The Elite Job aims to provide a professional environment that supports employee development, collaboration, and long‑term career growth. Depending on the final employment arrangement and applicable company policies, potential benefits may include:
• Competitive salary based on qualifications, relevant experience, and job responsibilities.
• Opportunities to work remotely or through a hybrid arrangement, where available.
• Paid leave and applicable public holidays in accordance with company policy and local employment regulations.
• Professional development opportunities, including training in procurement, supplier management, negotiation, and contract administration.
• Exposure to vendor management systems, procurement analytics, and business process improvement initiatives.
• Opportunities to collaborate with experienced professionals across procurement, finance, legal, and operations.
• Performance recognition based on measurable contributions and business outcomes.
• Opportunities for career advancement into senior vendor management, strategic sourcing, procurement leadership, or supply chain management roles.
• A collaborative workplace that values accountability, continuous improvement, and professional integrity.
• Specific benefits, compensation arrangements, and eligibility requirements will be confirmed by the employer during the hiring process.

8. Why Join The Elite Job?

Joining The Elite Job as a Vendor Manager – Supplier Performance and Contracts offers an opportunity to contribute directly to supplier reliability, commercial performance, operational efficiency, and business growth.

In this role, you will have the opportunity to strengthen supplier partnerships, improve contract governance, identify meaningful cost savings, and establish performance standards that support consistent business outcomes. Your work will help ensure that suppliers deliver the right quality, at the right cost, and within agreed timelines.

The position also provides an opportunity to develop valuable professional expertise across procurement strategy, contract negotiations, supplier risk management, performance analytics, and stakeholder engagement.

The Elite Job welcomes professionals who take ownership of their responsibilities, approach challenges with a solution‑oriented mindset, and believe in building business relationships based on transparency, fairness, and mutual value.

If you are motivated by measurable results, continuous learning, and the opportunity to make supplier relationships more effective, this role could be an excellent next step in your career.