Vendor Performance Specialist

Utilities One; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance plans

401k Plan

PTO/Paid Holidays

Great Work Environment

Career Advancement Opportunities

Job summary

Utilities One is seeking a Vendor Performance Specialist – Telecom to support our Telecommunications Division. You will manage vendor performance, compliance, and relationships, ensuring qualified subcontractors and rate structures align with project goals.

You will develop, monitor, and report on KPIs, SLAs, safety, and quality; lead performance reviews; and coordinate with Operations, Engineering, Construction, and Business Development to forecast capacity and optimize allocation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree preferred in business administration, supply chain, operations, or related field.
• 5+ years in vendor performance, vendor management, or related operations.
• Strong understanding of telecom construction environments (OSP, fiber, civil, etc.).
• Experience developing and monitoring vendor KPIs, SLAs, and compliance standards.
• Proven ability to evaluate vendor performance and drive improvements.

Responsibilities

• Own the end-to-end vendor lifecycle: onboarding, compliance, performance management, and offboarding.
• Develop and report on vendor KPIs, SLAs, quality, safety, and responsiveness.
• Maintain vendor records and performance data for reporting and decision making.
• Forecast vendor capacity needs and optimize allocation across markets.
• Ensure compliance with insurance, licensing, safety, and regulatory requirements.
• Collaborate across Operations, Engineering, Construction, and Business Development.
• Serve as primary point of contact for vendor inquiries and escalations.

Skills

Vendor management

Relationship management

Data analysis

Communication

Project coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in business or related field

Tools

Excel

CRM systems

Contract management software

Job description

Vendor Performance Specialist

Department: Vendor Management

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: United States

Reporting To: Chuck Houser

Description

At Utilities One, we are driven by innovation, operational excellence, and a commitment to building the future of critical infrastructure. As a trusted turnkey solutions provider across telecom, power, water, renewable energy, and data center sectors, we deliver high-quality services that connect and empower communities. In addition to our core operations, we offer specialized consulting services that help our clients design, optimize, and execute complex infrastructure projects with confidence and precision. We believe our greatest strength is our people — a team of dedicated professionals who bring expertise, collaboration, and integrity to everything they do. Join us and become part of a growing organization where your contributions make a meaningful impact.

We are looking for a qualified, local Vendor Performance Specialist – Telecom.

The Vendor Performance Specialist – Telecom will support our Telecommunications Division by managing vendor performance, compliance, and ongoing vendor relationships. This role is responsible for monitoring vendor performance against established KPIs and service expectations, ensuring the availability of qualified subcontractors and vendors, maintaining compliance and rate structures, and supporting project execution across multiple markets in alignment with company goals, quality standards, and operational timelines.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the end-to-end vendor lifecycle, including onboarding, compliance, performance management, and offboarding;
• Build and maintain strong relationships with telecom subcontractors, construction vendors, and service providers to drive operational excellence;
• Develop, monitor, and report on vendor KPIs, SLAs, quality, safety, and responsiveness to ensure performance expectations are met;
• Conduct regular vendor performance reviews, identify improvement opportunities, and drive corrective action plans when needed;
• Partner with Operations, Engineering, Construction, and Business Development teams to forecast vendor capacity needs and optimize vendor allocation;
• Ensure vendor compliance with contractual terms, insurance, licensing, safety, and regulatory requirements;
• Maintain accurate vendor records, documentation, and performance data to support reporting and decision-making;
• Develop and maintain vendor rate cards by geography, scope of work, and client requirements, while monitoring market pricing trends;
• Collaborate with Risk, Legal, and Compliance teams to resolve vendor-related issues, mitigate risks, and support continuous process improvement;
• Serve as the primary point of contact for vendor inquiries, escalations, and performance-related operational coordination.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain, Operations, or a related field preferred;
• 5+ years of experience in vendor performance, vendor management, subcontractor management, or operations within the telecommunications or infrastructure industry;
• Strong understanding of telecom construction environments (OSP, wireless, fiber, civil, engineering, or related scopes);
• Experience developing and monitoring vendor KPIs, SLAs, performance metrics, and compliance standards;
• Proven ability to evaluate vendor performance, drive continuous improvement, and manage multiple vendors across different regions and project types;
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, communication, and relationship management skills;
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and results-driven with the ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.

Benefits

• Health Insurance plans (health, dental, vision);
• Whole Life Insurance;
• 401k Plan;
• PTO/Paid Holidays;
• Great Work Environment;
• Career Advancement Opportunities.