Sr. Specialist, Supplier Management

The Sr. Specialist, Supplier Management, is responsible for managing the vendor contract lifecycle, encompassing contract creation, amendments, interpretation, and service level management. This role ensures that all contractual deliverables and obligations are met while overseeing commercial arrangements with suppliers through regular audits of rate cards, service levels, performance adjustments and other duties, as assigned.

Key responsibilities include facilitating cross-functional reviews and approvals within the organization, cross-functional interaction with all levels of leadership, and administering activities for multiple third-party suppliers and agreements with minimal supervision.

The Sr. Specialist, Supplier Management is a full-time, remote, exempt position and reports to the Sr. Manager, Supplier Management.

Base Salary Range: $70,000 - $80,000 annually.

Specific Responsibilities

·       Manage the end-to-end contract lifecycle for new and existing supplier contracts, including negotiation, execution, and renewal.

·       Serve as the primary point of contact for suppliers, addressing inquiries, concerns, and escalations promptly.

·       Cultivate strong relationships with suppliers to foster collaboration, trust, and mutual understanding.

·       Resolve conflicts and disputes with suppliers through effective communication and negotiation.

·       Conduct regular supplier performance evaluations and facilitate performance improvement initiatives as needed.

·       Ensure contracts are aligned with organizational goals, legal requirements, and industry best practices.

·       Monitor contract performance, milestones, and deliverables to ensure compliance with terms and conditions.

·       Identify and manage contractual risks in collaboration with legal, security and business teams.

·       Identify and negotiate cost-saving and efficiency opportunities.

·       Secure favorable terms and service level agreements (SLAs) in supplier contracts.

·       Work with finance and business teams to monitor supplier spending and budgets.

·       Identify and evaluate potential new suppliers. Coordinate supplier selection based on quality, price, reliability, and sustainability.

·       Align supplier management strategies with organizational objectives by collaborating with internal stakeholders.

·       Provide support and guidance on supplier management to internal teams.

·       Perform special projects, as assigned.

Supervisor Responsibility

·       None.

Skills

·       Analytical/critical thinking regarding vendor contracts and the ability to exercise sound judgment.

·       Strong negotiation and problem-solving skills, including an ability to develop creative solutions and compromises.

·       Excellent written and oral communication skills with an ability to communicate effectively at all levels within the company, including Sr. management, as well as with internal stakeholders and vendors.

·       Ability to take direction, and work/resolve issues independently with a high degree of flexibility and adaptability.

·       Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate with peers.

·       Excellent organizational skills and ability to multi-task, prioritize, and meet deadlines in a high-volume, fast-paced environment.

·       High level of initiative, self-motivation, and attention to detail with an emphasis on accuracy and quality.

·       Effective project management skills to ensure seamless coordination, timely delivery of work and successful relationship management with internal/external customers. 

·       Advanced skillset in the MS Office Suite (e.g., Word, Excel, Office 365, PowerPoint, and SharePoint).

Experience

·       3+ years’ experience in contract management, supplier management, procurement, or related roles, preferably in a corporate or organizational setting.

·       Knowledge of healthcare desired.

·       Experience using SRM systems or contract life-cycle management systems a plus.

·       Experience negotiating third-party and vendor contracts preferred.

Education

·       Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience in Business Administration, Procurement, Finance, or a related field.

·       Certification in relevant supplier management or procurement methodologies (e.g., CSCP, CPPM), desired.