Senior Manager, IT Strategic Vendor Management

The Senior Manager, IT Strategic Vendor Management advances the Global Technology vendor management strategy by strengthening strategic partnerships, optimizing vendor performance and value, governing supplier risk and compliance, and enabling effective sourcing, contracting, and stakeholder engagement aligned to IT strategy and business objectives.

Reporting to the Director, Vendor Management, Optimization, and Governance, this role collaborates with IT leaders and Sourcing to establish vendor governance structures and processes, support vendor evaluation, monitor performance, optimize costs, and manage supplier risk. 

This position is hybrid, 3 times in the week at the office in Northbrook, IL. 

Responsibilities

Vendor Strategy & Stakeholder Alignment

•  Evolve the design and execution of the vendor management strategy framework to evaluate partnerships, identify upcoming renewals, surface optimization opportunities, and communicate overall vendor performance.

•  Evaluate potential vendors and service providers to ensure alignment with IT strategy and goals.

•  Build and manage relationships with internal stakeholders to understand business and technology needs and ensure vendor services meet those needs.

•  Implement and coordinate a vendor engagement model with strategic vendors and internal stakeholders to support performance, accountability, and alignment with IT strategy.

Sourcing, Selection & Contract Lifecycle Management

•  Partner with IT stakeholders and Sourcing to manage and negotiate supplier agreements.

•  Oversee strategic and large vendor contract renewals and support negotiation of extensions or terminations as needed.

•  Support the vendor selection process, including RFPs, RFIs, and vendor assessments, in partnership with IT stakeholders and UL Solutions’ Sourcing organization.

Vendor Performance, Risk & Compliance

•  Establish and implement vendor performance metrics and KPIs, and create and publish IT metrics to support quality, timely, consistent delivery and progress against strategy.

•  Organize and conduct regular performance reviews and audits to ensure vendors meet or exceed expectations.

•  Address and resolve vendor performance risks and issues, implement corrective actions, and ensure vendors comply with regulatory requirements and company policies.

•  Develop and maintain a vendor risk management framework.

Asset, Entitlement & Value Optimization

•  Manage, in conjunction with asset management resources, the tracking of software and hardware assets and consumption of on-premises and cloud-based entitlements.

•  Lead initiatives to optimize vendor performance and value.

Governance, Standards & Continuous Improvement

•  Establish and/or approve internal and external policies, standards, and processes for vendor interaction.

•  Stay current with industry trends and best practices in vendor management.

•  Identify opportunities for process improvements and implement changes to enhance vendor management practices.

Team Leadership & People Management

•  Lead, mentor, and foster a collaborative global team to deliver vendor management services and meet organizational objectives.

•  Manage performance of direct reports by developing accountabilities, establishing performance objectives, providing career counseling, feedback, and guidance, and ensuring all policies are understood and adhered to.

•  Read and follow the Underwriters Laboratories Code of Conduct and follow all physical and digital security practices.

•  Perform other duties as directed. 

Qualifications

•  University Degree Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Information Systems, Computer Science, or a related discipline  
• 10 years of experience in the IT field or related business area  
• Proven experience in vendor management, contract negotiation, and performance monitoring
• Strong knowledge of IT procurement processes and vendor management best practices
• Excellent leadership, communication, and negotiation skills
• Ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams and manage multiple priorities
• Exposure to multiple, diverse technologies and processing environments required
• Broad experience in a wide variety of sub-functions within IT  
• Experience as a global leader with the ability to communicate/influence culturally diverse people 

What we offer:

• Total Rewards:  We understand compensation is an important factor as you consider the next step in your career. The estimated salary range for this position is $150,000-$180,000 and is based on multiple factors, including job-related knowledge/skills, experience, geographical location, as well as other factors. This position is eligible for annual bonus compensation with a target payout of 20% of the base salary. This position also provides health benefits such as medical, dental and vision; wellness benefits such as mental and financial health; and retirement savings (401K) commensurate with the standard rewards offered in each individual location or country. We also provide full-time employees with paid time off including vacation (15 days), holiday including floating holidays (12 days) and sick time off (72 hours). 

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