The IT Vendor Relations Manager is a front line employee who serves as the operational business unit contact for all IT vendor related services. Collaborates with internal business units to understand IT vendor services, needs and challenges. Ensures that vendor services meet expectations and drive the implementation of the IT operational sourcing strategy. In partnership with Supply Chain procurement organization, serve as business area representative for all contract and vendor engagement activities. Leads the resolution of complex, inter-related issues that require buy in across multiple stakeholders, finding suitable resolution quickly, within contractual boundaries.
Minimum Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in business, information systems administration or related field
- PLUS 8 years' experience managing vendor and supplier relationships in the area of licensing, procurement, and outsourcing agreements related to IT hardware, software, maintenance, services, or similar experience.
- Prior experience working with and negotiating with suppliers and strategic vendor initiatives.
- Demonstrated ability to build relationships with key suppliers and liaise between vendor and internal organizations to resolve conflicts.
- Demonstrated ability to track and negotiate contract requirements including Service Level Agreements (SLAs).
- Ability to lead using informal authority to driver organizational objectives.
Preferred Specialist Skills and Knowledge
- Full knowledge and experience with IT vendor relationship management as a discipline
- Ability to maintain composure in critical negotiations, communicating effectively with both internal and external clients.
- Perform advanced business and financial analysis of vendor engagements.
- Build strong relationships with key vendors and the internal IT organization to ensure delivery of IT services.
- Demonstrated ability to solve complex problems; Improve the effectiveness and efficiency of overall vendor relationships across the IT organization.
- Demonstrated ability to lead using informal authority and personal influence to drive organizational objectives.
Major Accountabilities
- Develop, implement, and manage IT vendor management processes aligned with Supply Chain best practises.
- Develop, implement IT strategic vendor strategies or programs necessary to meet IT operational goals.
- Act as business area representative and partner with Supply Chain and IT stakeholders to develop complex, multi-million dollar contracts;recommend and implement specific courses of action to meet internal and external customer needs.
- Establish and maintain strong partnerships with business units and vendors, participating in IT contract development and evaluations to identify potential issues and risks.
- Partner with Supply Chain and key IT stakeholders to deliver contracts in line with regulatory, risk, and strategic level requirements.
- Maintain the strategic relationship with key vendors. Serve as the IT primary escalation point for Development and Operations groups for ongoing or significant issues.
- Hold vendors accountable to providing continuous improvement opportunities that meet the needs of the Development and Operations groups.
- Ensure contract SLAs are well defined and monitored for strategic partners.
- Partner with Supply Chain to ensure the procurement of IT products and services align to Supply Chain best practices.
- Drive achievement of IT governance by tracking current progress toward goals and ensuring that IT is meeting its obligation and that vendors are meeting expectations.
- Define and lead opportunities for improvements and cost savings through better utilization and engagement of vendor resources.
APS
400 North 5th Street
Phoenix
Arizona États-Unis
www.aps.com
