Vendor Relationships Manager

Clinilabs; Northern (KY); Hybrid; USD 115,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Clinilabs seeks a Vendor Relationships Manager to lead vendor strategy and contracts across its clinical trial portfolio. You will align partnerships with study requirements, budgets, and timelines while collaborating with Clinical Operations, Finance and Business Development.

You will oversee RFPs, vendor onboarding, performance tracking, and governance to support both ongoing studies and new opportunities. Travel to corporate offices in New Jersey is required as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred.
• 6–10+ years of clinical research/vendor management experience.
• Experience with CNS trials and CRO environments.
• Strong negotiation and financial acumen.

Responsibilities

• Develop and align vendor strategy with study requirements and sponsor budgets.
• Lead vendor contracting, MSAs, SOWs, and renewals.
• Manage vendor performance, KPIs, and governance across studies.
• Collaborate with Clinical Operations, Finance, Legal, and Business Development.

Job description

The Vendor Relationships Manager is responsible for leading vendor strategy, selection, contracting, and oversight across Clinilabs’ clinical trial portfolio. This role ensures that vendor partnerships are aligned with study requirements, financial targets, and operational timelines, supporting both ongoing studies and new business opportunities.

This position partners closely with Clinical Operations, Business Development, Finance, Legal, and functional leadership to support efficient study start-up, execution, and organizational scalability.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Develop and maintain Clinilabs’ vendor strategy aligned with CNS study requirements (e.g., imaging, eCOA, central labs, biomarkers, specialty vendors)
• Build and manage a preferred vendor network to support both current studies and future pipeline opportunities
• Identify and onboard new vendors based on study needs, geographic expansion, and emerging capabilities
• Ensure vendor readiness to support rapid study start-up and execution
• Partner with Business Development and Proposals teams to support RFP responses and bid defenses
• Identify appropriate vendors for new opportunities based on protocol and sponsor requirements
• Lead vendor outreach, including request for proposals (RFPs), bid collection, and comparative analysis
• Provide vendor cost assumptions, timelines, and strategic input to ensure competitive and accurate proposals
• Lead negotiation and execution of vendor agreements, including MSAs, SOWs, and Work Orders
• Ensure alignment with sponsor budgets, internal financial targets, and study scope
• Manage and negotiate vendor change orders, ensuring appropriate documentation and sponsor alignment where applicable
• Partner with Finance and Legal to ensure compliance with Clinilabs policies and contractual standards
• Track vendor budgets vs. actuals, proactively identifying risks and mitigation strategies
• Establish and monitor vendor KPIs, SLAs, and performance metrics across studies
• Lead vendor governance activities, including regular performance reviews and issue resolution
• Partner with Clinical Operations to ensure vendor deliverables align with study timelines and milestones
• Escalate and resolve vendor-related risks and issues in a timely manner
• Ensure vendor compliance with GxP, regulatory requirements, and audit/inspection readiness
• Provide cross-study oversight of vendor activities across the Clinilabs portfolio
• Collaborate with Clinical Operations leads to support study start-up, enrollment, and close-out activities
• Ensure consistency in vendor management practices across studies
• Support documentation and reporting requirements for sponsors and internal stakeholders

Salary range between $115,000 - $125,000. Final compensation is based on skills, experience, location, and overall expertise.

TRAVELING

Travel to corporate offices in New Jersey as required for meetings.

Attend client meetings and other locations as required by the role when necessary.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree (e.g., MHA, MBA, or related field) preferred
• 6–10+ years of experience in clinical research, including vendor management within a CRO environment
• Experience supporting CNS clinical trials strongly preferred
• Demonstrated experience in vendor contracting, negotiation, and financial management
• Experience supporting business development and proposal processes
• Strong negotiation and financial acumen
• Strategic and analytical mindset with strong attention to detail
• Collaborative leadership and cross-functional influence
• Proactive, solution-oriented approach to problem-solving
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced CRO environment