We are seeking a highly organized and detail-oriented individual to join our team as a senior vendor manager specializing in circuits, hardware, software.

The vendor manager will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of circuits, hardware & software vendor management, including vendor engagement, cost optimization, vendor quality & KPIs and contract negotiations.

The vendor manager will work closely with the PMO and engineers to manage the circuits, hardware & software vendor relationships.

This is a proactive and strategic role and requires excellent communication skills, strong problem-solving abilities, and the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment.

Key Responsibilities

Proven experience as a senior vendor manager with a focus on circuits, hardware & software vendors Strong coordination, communication, and interpersonal skills. Detail-oriented with excellent organizational and multitasking abilities.

Knowledge of vendor management best practices

Conduct regular analyses and reporting for the circuits, hardware & software categories to include supply market and landscape. Stay informed of the industry. Prepare regular reports on circuits, hardware & software vendor activities, costs, and supplier performance. Analyze data to identify trends, cost-saving opportunities, and areas for improvement. Organize and host QBRs with the strategic circuits, hardware & software suppliers Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a team-oriented environment. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Build and manage relationships with internal stakeholders and leaders with the ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines. Cultivate and maintain relationships with circuits, hardware & software vendors. Identify new potential suppliers, negotiate contracts, and monitor supplier performance to ensure timely deliveries and adherence to quality standards. Drive for optimal value through the management of the vendor relationships by understanding the competitive landscape of the vendors within the circuits, hardware & software categories. Ensure the vendors meet the required quality standards. Address quality issues promptly and work with vendors to resolve any quality-related concerns. Maintain accurate and organized records including, RFx responses, bids, and correspondence, solutions proposals, and other correspondence.

Act as the stakeholder for category specific contracts

Prepare reports on vendor activities, costs, and vendor performance. Analyze data to identify trends, cost-saving opportunities, and areas for improvement. Help influence the creation and implementation of sourcing strategies, manage the development of RFx materials, detailed analysis of proposals and vendor capabilities, negotiations, and supplier selection. Leverage key metrics to identify problem areas and adopt current and emerging business models with an entrepreneurial mindset and creative approach to drive best practice. Demonstrate a strategic business mindset, organizational savvy, and balance multiple stakeholder interests simultaneously. Lead the development and negotiation of contracts with new suppliers and/or renegotiate existing contracts to accomplish the best value with solution and savings objectives Provide oversight and evaluate ethical vendor management practices of contracted goods and services which includes compliance with corporate policies and procedures as well as federal, state and local regulations.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s Degree in Business, (Supply Chain, Finance preferred)

10-15 years’ experience in a vendor management role with demonstrated success in influencing business strategy and vendor relations Vendor management experience in the circuits, hardware & software category Superior negotiation skills developed through corporate environment Experience writing/generating RFxs to suppliers and leading complex RFx projects Excellent quantitative, analytical and project management skills Strong influencing skills that can be used to build partnerships with internal resources and vendors

Attributes

The ideal candidate will be a team player with a positive customer service-oriented attitude. We look for a problem solver with a can-do attitude.

At Continent 8 Our Core Principles Are

Purposeful Creativity

Genuine Care Active Ownership

As a team member you will work collaboratively with others and be a contributing member of a thriving team dynamic.

Our Company

Continent 8 has powered a second digital revolution – a revolution defined by intense, instantaneous, and omnipresent computing power. We have built and secured the world’s most reliable and secure edge network. Our global footprint spans every inhabited continent, and our edge network is local to over 92% of the world’s population.

We regularly fend off some of the most sophisticated attacks in the world and our security solutions are known to provide unmatched protection. We have developed specialized expertise in regulatory environments. We help protect against cyber and political risk, ensuring that our world class network delivers high availability and throughput.

Our secure edge network is globally distributed and serves the world’s most demanding industries. The gaming and financial trading industries depend on us to process billions of dollars’ worth of transactions each day. The transportation and autonomous vehicle industries depend on us to move the world’s population. The energy and utility industries depend on us to power critical infrastructure. Organizations choose Continent 8 when they simply can’t afford to lose connectivity.

We are the Edge Infrastructure-as-a-Service provider of choice for the world’s most demanding customers