Torchora
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Vendor Program Director

💰 $150,000 - $220,000+

ProcurementOperationsSupply ChainProgram ManagementLeadership

🎯 Role Definition

The Vendor Program Director is a strategic leadership role responsible for architecting and overseeing the entire vendor management ecosystem of the organization. This individual goes beyond traditional procurement to build and nurture a network of external partners that function as a seamless extension of the company. The Director establishes the governance, strategy, and relationship frameworks necessary to maximize vendor value, mitigate risks, and drive innovation. By leading a dedicated team and collaborating with executive stakeholders across all business units, this role ensures that our vendor portfolio is not just a cost center, but a powerful engine for achieving our strategic and financial objectives.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Senior Vendor Manager
  • Strategic Sourcing Director
  • Senior Program Manager (with a heavy procurement/operations focus)

Advancement To:

  • Vice President (VP) of Global Procurement
  • Head of Strategic Sourcing & Operations
  • Chief Procurement Officer (CPO)

Lateral Moves:

  • Director of Strategic Partnerships & Alliances
  • Director of Supply Chain Operations

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Develop and execute a comprehensive, enterprise-wide vendor management strategy that aligns with the company's long-term business objectives, market dynamics, and growth initiatives.
  • Design, implement, and govern the end-to-end vendor lifecycle management process, from initial sourcing and onboarding to performance monitoring, offboarding, and renewal.
  • Establish and chair a Vendor Management Office (VMO) or Center of Excellence (CoE) to standardize processes, create best practices, and provide centralized oversight.
  • Cultivate and maintain strong, strategic C-level relationships with critical vendors, serving as the primary executive point of contact and escalation path for complex issues.
  • Lead high-stakes, high-value contract negotiations and renegotiations, partnering with Legal and Finance to secure optimal commercial terms, pricing structures, and service level agreements.
  • Implement a robust vendor performance management framework, utilizing balanced scorecards, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), and business reviews to drive accountability and continuous improvement.
  • Direct a proactive third-party risk management program to identify, assess, and mitigate financial, operational, cybersecurity, reputational, and compliance risks across the vendor landscape.
  • Drive significant cost optimization and value creation initiatives through strategic sourcing, demand management, vendor consolidation, and identifying opportunities for innovation.
  • Lead, mentor, and develop a team of vendor management professionals, fostering a culture of high performance, strategic thinking, and strong business partnership.
  • Act as the central liaison between internal business stakeholders (IT, Finance, HR, Marketing, etc.) and external vendors to ensure alignment, clear communication, and effective service delivery.
  • Oversee the selection, implementation, and optimization of Vendor Management Systems (VMS) and other procurement technologies to enhance efficiency, data visibility, and reporting.
  • Prepare and present executive-level reports and dashboards on vendor portfolio performance, risk exposure, cost savings, and strategic program updates to senior leadership.
  • Develop and manage the vendor segmentation strategy, classifying vendors based on their criticality, spend, and risk to tailor management and oversight approaches accordingly.
  • Champion change management initiatives related to new vendor policies, processes, and systems to ensure smooth adoption and compliance across the organization.
  • Analyze market trends, industry benchmarks, and emerging technologies to inform sourcing strategies and identify potential new partners that can provide a competitive advantage.
  • Resolve complex, high-impact vendor-related disputes and service escalations, mediating between internal teams and suppliers to find mutually acceptable solutions.
  • Ensure all vendor engagements and contracts are in strict compliance with internal policies and external regulations, including data privacy (GDPR, CCPA), information security, and labor laws.
  • Conduct regular strategic business reviews with top-tier partners to review performance, discuss roadmaps, and explore opportunities for deeper collaboration and joint innovation.
  • Develop and manage the operational and strategic budgets for the vendor management function, ensuring resources are allocated effectively to meet program goals.
  • Facilitate vendor rationalization programs to streamline the supplier base, reduce complexity, and leverage purchasing power more effectively.
  • Partner with the finance and accounting teams to ensure accurate and timely vendor payment processes, resolve invoicing discrepancies, and manage financial accruals.

Secondary Functions

  • Mentor and coach junior members of the broader procurement and operations teams.
  • Represent the organization at industry events, supplier conferences, and professional forums to maintain a strong professional network and stay abreast of best practices.
  • Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis to inform strategic decisions.
  • Contribute to the organization's broader data governance and operational excellence strategies.
  • Collaborate with business units to translate future business needs into long-term vendor and sourcing requirements.
  • Participate in or lead cross-functional special projects and task forces as assigned by executive leadership.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Strategic Sourcing & Category Management: Deep expertise in developing and executing strategies for major spend categories.
  • Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM): Mastery of the entire contract process, from drafting and negotiation to compliance and renewal.
  • Supplier Relationship Management (SRM): Proven ability to build and manage strategic, long-term partnerships with key suppliers.
  • Advanced Negotiation & Deal Structuring: Skill in leading complex, high-value negotiations and structuring creative, win-win deals.
  • Financial Acumen & Cost Modeling: Ability to analyze financial statements, build total cost of ownership (TCO) models, and track budget performance.
  • Vendor Performance Management: Expertise in defining and tracking KPIs, Service Level Agreements (SLAs), and performance scorecards.
  • Procurement & Vendor Management Systems: Proficiency with enterprise tools such as SAP Ariba, Coupa, Beeline, or similar VMS/P2P platforms.
  • Third-Party Risk Management (TPRM): In-depth knowledge of frameworks for identifying and mitigating vendor-related risks.
  • Data Analysis & Business Intelligence: Ability to interpret complex data and use reporting tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI) to drive insights.
  • Program Management Methodologies: Strong understanding of principles for managing large-scale, cross-functional programs.

Soft Skills

  • Executive Presence & Communication: Confidently and clearly articulating strategy, performance, and recommendations to C-level audiences.
  • Inspirational Leadership: Ability to lead, motivate, and develop a high-performing team of professionals.
  • Strategic & Critical Thinking: Capacity to see the big picture, anticipate future trends, and develop long-range plans.
  • Influence & Persuasion: Skillfully gaining buy-in and building consensus among diverse stakeholders without direct authority.
  • Complex Problem-Solving: A knack for dissecting intricate issues, identifying root causes, and implementing robust solutions.
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration: A natural ability to work effectively with partners across different departments and levels of the organization.
  • Stakeholder Management: Proactively managing expectations and building strong, trust-based relationships with internal clients and leaders.
  • Resilience & Adaptability: Thriving in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and effectively managing ambiguity and change.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor's Degree

Preferred Education:

  • Master of Business Administration (MBA) or a Master's degree in a related field.
  • Professional certifications such as Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) or Project Management Professional (PMP) are highly regarded.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Business Administration
  • Supply Chain Management
  • Finance
  • Operations Management

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 10-15 years of progressive experience in vendor management, procurement, strategic sourcing, or a related field.

Preferred:

  • A minimum of 5-7 years in a formal leadership role, with direct responsibility for managing a team.
  • Demonstrable track record of managing a large, complex portfolio of vendors (>$100M in spend) within a global enterprise environment.
  • Proven success in leading major contract negotiations and delivering multi-million dollar cost savings and value-add initiatives.
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