Associate Director, Vendor Management Strategy and Operations

As the Associate Director of Vendor Management Operations, you will be responsible for managing and optimizing our vendor partnerships and application development for the Operations team. This role will oversee day-to-day vendor interactions, lead strategic planning for vendor engagement, conduct RFPs for potential new vendors, and negotiate terms to ensure alignment with our goals. Additionally, you will oversee our tooling engineering teams to guide the prioritization and development of application improvements that enhance vendor management and operational efficiency.

Key Responsibilities:

• Vendor Management & Optimization:
• Manage day-to-day vendor relationships, ensuring alignment with SLAs, quality standards, and operational goals.
• Conduct regular performance reviews with vendors, identifying opportunities for improvement and implementing corrective actions as needed.
• Collaborate with vendors to streamline workflows, enhance service quality, and reduce costs.
• Strategic Planning & Long-Term Vendor Strategy:
• Develop and execute a comprehensive vendor management strategy, aligning vendor partnerships with the organization’s growth and operational objectives.
• Identify and evaluate potential new vendors that could add value to our operations and enhance our capabilities.
• Lead RFP processes to assess, select, and onboard new vendors, ensuring alignment with company needs and budget.
• Contract Negotiations & Budget Management:
• Lead contract negotiations with vendors, securing favorable terms and ensuring compliance with company policies.
• Manage vendor budgets, optimizing costs while maintaining service quality and performance.
• Work with legal and finance teams to draft and finalize agreements, ensuring clear expectations and performance benchmarks.
• Tooling Strategy & Application Improvement Oversight:
• Oversee and prioritize initiatives for our tooling engineer teams, driving application improvements that support vendor management operations.
• Collaborate with engineering and tooling teams to identify and implement technical solutions that improve vendor management, performance tracking, and reporting.
• Ensure all improvements align with broader operational objectives and contribute to enhanced efficiency and data-driven decision-making.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration:
• Work closely with internal stakeholders across Operations, Product, Finance, and Legal teams to align vendor strategies and address cross-functional needs.
• Act as the primary point of contact for internal teams on vendor-related initiatives, ensuring transparency and consistent communication.
• Partner with the Operations team to identify operational challenges and develop vendor-based solutions.

Qualifications:

• Experience: 5+ years of experience in vendor management, procurement, or operations management, with at least 3 years in a leadership role. Previous experience managing vendors in a support or operations environment is highly desirable.
• Vendor Management Skills: Demonstrated expertise in managing vendor relationships, including negotiating contracts, conducting RFPs, and implementing performance improvement plans.
• Strategic Planning & Execution: Strong experience in developing and executing vendor management strategies that support long-term operational goals.
• Technical Proficiency: Familiarity with vendor management tools and the ability to work closely with tooling engineering teams to drive application improvements.
• Analytical Rigor: Strong analytical skills with the ability to use data to drive decision-making and optimize vendor performance.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Excellent communication skills and experience working across departments to drive alignment and achieve business objectives.
• Project Management: Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects and initiatives simultaneously, meeting deadlines and delivering quality results.

The target base salary range for this position is $126,740 - $158,425, and is part of a competitive total rewards package including stock options and benefits. Individual pay may vary from the target range and is determined by a number of factors including experience, location, internal pay equity, and other relevant business considerations. We review all employee pay and compensation programs annually using Radford Global Compensation Database at minimum to ensure competitive and fair pay. 

Benefits provided by Spring Health:

Note: We have even more benefits than listed here and below, your recruiter will provide more in-depth information as you continue in the interview process. All benefits are subject to individual plan requirements and eligibility criteria.

• Health, Dental, Vision benefits start on your first day at Spring Health. You and your dependents also receive an individual One Medical account which is valued at $199/year per user. HSA and FSA plans are also available.
• Employer sponsored 401(k) match of up to 2%
• A yearly allotment of no cost visits to the Spring Health network of therapists, coaches, and medication management providers for you and your dependents.
• Generous paid time off, 10 sick days, 12 paid holidays throughout the year, and a 1 month sabbatical leave granted at your 4 year anniversary
• We offer parental leave up to 18 weeks, depending on your eligibility including tenure and medical situation.
• Access to fertility care support through Carrot, in addition to $4,000 reimbursement for related fertility expenses.
• Access to Wellhub, an on-demand virtual benefit that provides wellbeing coaching, and budget management.
• Up to $1,000 Professional Development Reimbursement a year.
• $200 per year donation matching to support your favorite causes.