Vendor Account Manager (VAM) – Strategic Vendor Relations

About the role

We are seeking a Vendor Account Manager (VAM) to lead strategic vendor relationships, ensuring coverage, capabilities, operational performance and compliance across our business units. The role blends vendor management, commercial negotiation, operational coordination and analytical problem‑solving while working closely with internal teams, vendors, finance and executive leadership.

Key responsibilities

• Manage and maintain strong relationships with assigned vendors and subcontractors.
• Own vendor coverage and capability planning, ensuring required skills, certifications and resources are available by zone and business unit.
• Lead onboarding of new vendors, including registration, training, system access and engineering certifications.
• Negotiate vendor costs, deliverables, payment terms and commercial conditions.
• Prepare, review and negotiate Statements of Work (SOWs) and support updates to existing agreements.
• Support launch of new business unit projects by evaluating subcontractor proposals, requesting quotes and negotiating costs.
• Coordinate operational review meetings with vendors and internal stakeholders.
• Monitor training and certification requirements to ensure vendors maintain necessary qualifications.
• Partner with Supplier Operations to resolve issues related to automated case assignment (BOT), shipment and parts assignment (S4) and other service processes.
• Provide input for PO renewals, including scope definition and cost negotiations.
• Monitor escalations, service performance and process compliance, ensuring timely resolution.
• Identify opportunities to improve vendor performance, coverage, cost efficiency and operational processes.

Required profile

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain, Operations, Engineering or a related field.
• Previous experience in vendor management, supplier management, account management, procurement or operations.
• Strong vendor management, relationship‑building and negotiation skills.
• Advanced English proficiency, both written and verbal.
• Excellent analytical, problem‑solving and stakeholder‑management abilities.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, especially Excel and PowerPoint.
• Experience working with contracts, SOWs, POs, pricing or commercial agreements is highly desirable.
• Ability to manage multiple projects, stakeholders and priorities simultaneously.

Required skills

• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft PowerPoint