IT Vendor Manager

Our client is seeking an IT Vendor Manager to work with one of our major clients in the Oil & Gas industry located in Calgary, AB on a 1-year assignment.

Role Overview

The Vendor Manager position is an integral role within the Vendor Management Office (VMO) that supports Information Technology’s (IT) strategic relationship with vendors and service providers. A Vendor Manager is responsible for their respective portfolio to ensure the creation of successful, measurable, and sustainable business outcomes with valued vendors, while mitigating risk.

The professional will be responsible for the management of vendors providing Managed Services, Project Delivery, IT Software, Hardware, Cloud, SaaS, and Data Subscriptions. This includes facilitating IT’s end-to-end renewals process and new Product/Subscription Orders.

Role Description: The successful candidate will serve as a team member for the Core Optimization Program, reporting directly to the Senior Manager of the IT Vendor Management Office. The scope of Core involves the implementation of a full suite of products supporting our future ERP, alongside existing applications that connect to SAP, ensuring end-to-end business processes are supported.

This role will focus on proactively engaging with various program streams, capturing their requirements, and coordinating with IT and vendors to drive contract execution. Working within the established framework of the Vendor Management Office, this position involves close collaboration with team members in both IT and Supply Chain Management.

The Core Optimization Program follows tight timelines; therefore, adherence to schedule, activity requirements, and progress expectations is critical. This role ensures IT comprehends contract changes and supports planning for future sustainment costs, driving successful outcomes as expected from the Office.

Responsibilities include:

Governance & Relationship Management:

1. Manage vendor relationships and oversee the contracted governance process, including JMC, JEC, QBR, and Executive Briefings.
2. Facilitate vendor performance measurement on Managed Services and projects.
3. Maintain relationships with vendors regarding product/services roadmaps, capabilities, escalations, and inquiries.
4. Support IT & CPMO stakeholders with vendor proposals, new service offerings, and general support.

Engagement:

1. Act as the primary contact for existing and new vendor engagement on services, product orders, renewals, and project capabilities.
2. Facilitate engagement with Supply Chain Management (SCM) for demand planning and prioritization.
3. Manage the IT renewals process and coordinate with Business Partner and Service Owner inputs for software rationalization.
4. Address vendor escalations and performance issues on contracted services.
5. Collaborate with IT stakeholders on long-term planning and technology roadmaps by engaging vendors on capability.
6. Coordinate vendor demos to support technology selection.
7. Work with IT/CPMO/SCM on sourcing strategy decisions for managed services and project capability.

Commercials:

1. Support Supply Chain Management in commercial negotiations.
2. Consult with the Strategy & Planning office for IT budget inputs.
3. Advise IT stakeholders on purchasing strategies for projects, quotes, and pricing.
4. Provide guidance on sourcing/purchasing IT hardware and services.
5. Understand commercial implications of vendor software/service offerings.
6. Validate MSA rate cards for Statements of Work/Change Orders.
7. Coordinate audit and compliance initiatives with vendors and IT stakeholders.

Additional Responsibilities:

1. Ensure IT vendors meet contractual commitments and oversee vendor compliance and performance management.
2. Report on vendor compliance and performance based on SLAs; manage vendor scorecards and dashboards.
3. Develop and maintain price benchmarks to achieve the best value from vendors.
4. Identify savings opportunities for renewals, software licensing, and services, following up with vendors and stakeholders.
5. Support Service Owners in their portfolios, including Managed Services (ERP, Applications, Infrastructure, End User Computing, Cyber Security).
6. Prepare and update monthly management reports and financial tracking.
7. Assist with contract schedule development, negotiations, changes, reviews, and terminations.
8. Maintain financial forecasts, budgets, and Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).
9. Review and process Statements of Work, Change Orders, and other project documentation to support lifecycle contract management.
10. Oversee contracts and relationships to maximize value creation and reduce costs for software licensing, maintenance, and services.
11. Communicate effectively through emails, meetings, and presentations with end users, management, developers, and vendors.

Key Competencies:

1. Builds Trust: Honoring commitments by delivering on promises.
2. Implementation/Execution: Organizing and managing multiple priorities or projects effectively.
3. Innovate: Proposing innovative ideas and processes to improve VMO performance and productivity.
4. Problem Solving: Engaging in collaborative problem-solving and acting as a broker/consultant for resource management.

Role Essentials:

1. 15+ years of experience in IT or Supply Chain Management.
2. Strong written and verbal communication skills.
3. Proven researching ability.
4. Bachelor’s degree in Business, IT, Finance, or a related field.
5. Expert knowledge of IT contracts and experience negotiating complex, multi-year agreements.