VENDOR RELATIONSHIP MANAGER - REMOTE IN CALIFORNIA

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Job ID

73234

Location

Oakland

Full / Part Time

Full Time

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UC OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

At the University of California (UC), your contributions make a difference. A world leader producing Nobel and Pulitzer Prize recipients with over 150 years of groundbreaking research transforming the world.

Choose a career where you can leverage your knowledge, skills and aspirations to inspire and support some of the greatest minds in the world, and those who will follow in their footsteps.

Working at the University of California is being part of a unique institution, and a vibrant and diverse community. At the University of California, Office of the President, we propel our mission through impactful work locally, in government centers and systemwide.

We are passionate people, serving the greater good.

The University of California, one of the largest and most acclaimed institutions of higher learning in the world, is dedicated to excellence in teaching, research and public service.

The University of California Office of the President is the headquarters to the 10 campuses, six academic medical centers and three national laboratories and enrolls premier students from California, the nation and the world.

Learn more about the UC Office of the President

Department Overview

The Information Technology (IT) Department is a security first organization. We deliver data and technology services and through collaboration with partners, transform the role of Information Technology to advance the UC mission.

We maintain an innovative, inclusive and supportive work environment.

Position Summary

The Vendor Relationship Manager is responsible for overseeing and enhancing relationships with Information Technology's vendors and suppliers.

This role involves negotiating contracts, managing vendor performance, resolving issues, and ensuring that vendor services align with organizational goals.

The Vendor Relationship Manager aims to foster strong, productive partnerships that contribute to the department's success.

This role owns and must understand contractual, commercial and operational working relationships with vendors to ensure effective delivery of committed goods and services.

Key Responsibilities

30% RELATIONSHIP MANAGEMENT : Manage vendor relationships as the key point of contact between specified vendors and the department.

Serve as a point of escalation for all IT vendor issues and disputes, and drive those issues to resolution. Manage the communication process with vendors, including what information should be communicated, when and by whom, to ensure that appropriate leverage is preserved.

Identify and execute value opportunities with key vendor relationships. Oversee the onboarding process for new vendors, ensuring they meet organizational standards and requirements.

30% CONTRACT MANAGEMENT : Review and oversee the maintenance of agreements with vendors. Independently analyze, negotiate and / or assist procurement with negotiations and implement operational agreements with assigned vendors to ensure efficient delivery of services and financial improvements.

Draft complex or highly specialized exceptions to agreement terms and conditions as required by business needs, rules, regulations, etc.

Manage the creation and maintenance of a repository of vendors in a contract management database or similar solution to track key dates (expirations, renewals) and assess demand.

Classify, rationalize and optimize the vendor portfolio, and concentrate efforts on managing the most strategic vendors.

Coordinate full procurement life cycle for key systemwide IT agreements.

20% PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT : Ensure there are clear metrics across all key performance indicators (KPIs) to ensure strong performance management.

Oversee the measurement and reporting of vendor performance, including the development of evaluation tools based on constituent requirements, and the creation of scorecards and dashboards that will accurately present this data.

Ensure that the metrics used to evaluate performance are properly tied to business outcomes and bias-free, and that the associated communications around these metrics are clear.

Define and hold strategic vendors to higher performance standards and drive continuous improvement. Negotiate with vendors to resolve high-level operational issues, establish service level agreements, and administer performance penalties.

10% POLICY & REPORTING : Provides guidance to managers and supervisors on formulation of policy to support effective vendor relationships.

Serve as program resource to constituents on vendor contracts and services, as well as related policies. Serve as the point of contact between the vendor organization and internal customers consuming vendor services and solutions.

Collect, consolidate, and communicate detailed reports and key vendor data to stakeholders on vendor performance, risk, and relationships.

Foster analytics-driven decisions based on this data.

10% COLLABORATION : Collaborate with internal stakeholders, including IT and business resources, sourcing and procurement to optimize the cost-effectiveness of negotiations and ensure compliance of negotiated agreements to established vendor management policies and practices (such as articulation of service levels and deliverables, etc.

Recommend standards and supporting operational procedures to ensure and enhance overall service quality. Provide appropriate support / training to internal staff that manage individual vendor accounts and relationships.

Experience

Required Qualifications

Min 7 years of proven experience in vendor management, procurement, or related field.

Preferred Qualifications

Min 5 years of vendor management experience in higher education.

Skills and Abilities

Required Qualifications

• Strong negotiation and contract management skills.
• Advanced knowledge of applicable policies, practices and procedures for the organization / client groups.
• Highly developed verbal and written communication skills.
• In depth ability to analyze, interpret and research essential information from multiple sources.
• Advanced interpersonal communication skills to establish and maintain credibility and working relationships with vendors, colleagues and client groups.
• Customer service orientation as demonstrated by the ability to respond proactively and positively to customer service needs and problems.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.

Preferred Qualifications

Advanced knowledge of office and web-based applications.

Education

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, or a related field.

Licenses and Certifications

Preferred Qualifications

• Certified Professional in Supply Management
• Certified Purchasing Professional

Job Title

Vendor Relations Specialist 4

Job Code

005930

Salary Grade

Grade 24

Payscale : $133,000 - $153,000

$133,000 - $153,000

The University of California, Office of the President, is required to provide a reasonable estimate of the compensation range for this role.

This range takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to experience, skills, knowledge, abilities, education, licensure and certifications, and other business and organizational needs.

It is not typical for an individual to be offered a salary at or near the top of the range for a position. Salary offers are determined based on final candidate qualifications and experience.

The full salary range shows the growth potential for this position and the pay scale is the budgeted salary or hourly range that the University reasonably expects to pay for this position.

Benefits : For information on the comprehensive benefits package offered by the University visit : Benefits of Belonging

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

HOW TO APPLY

Please be prepared to attach a cover letter and resume with your application.

APPLICATION REVIEW DATE

The first review date for this job is ( 10 / 15 / 2024 ). The position will be open until filled.

CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Background Check Process : Successful completion of a background check is required for this critical position. Background check process at UCOP

Smoke Free Work Environment : The University of California, Office of the President, is smoke & tobacco-free as of January 1, 2014.

UC Smoke & Tobacco Free Policy

As a condition of employment, you will be required to comply with the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs , as may be amended or revised from time to time.

Federal, state, or local public health directives may impose additional requirements.

EEO STATEMENT

The University of California, Office of the President, is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or protected veteran status.

For the University of California's Affirmative Action Policy please visit : https : / / policy.ucop.edu / doc / 4010393 / PPSM-20 .

For the University of California's Anti-Discrimination Policy, please visit : https : / / policy.ucop.edu / doc / 1001004 / Anti-Discrimination .

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