Vendor Relationship Specialist, NA

Site Operations Department

The Site Operations Department is responsible for the overall health and wellbeing of all mechanical and electrical systems, building maintenance, customer service and performance of all data modules at each campus. The teams are staffed 24 x 7 on site with Critical Facilities Engineers (CFEs) on each shift. These teams are the face of Vantage to our customers and the first line of defense regarding the uptime of our campus as well as the general health of our customer installations. Using a Critical Maintenance Management System (CMMS) to plan and track needed work, each campus Site Operations department manages all preventative and corrective maintenance on-site for our campuses located throughout North America. Our culture expects and rewards operations teams that engage directly with the customers and the facility infrastructure. These teams do most of the work themselves versus calling out constantly to vendors. As a result, we provide superior service that is faster and more cost effective. We prove that service through transparent reporting on all key performance metrics giving the customers the ability to focus on their operations without having to manage the performance of the facilities.

Position Overview

This role can be based in Atlanta, GA. in alignment with our flexible work policy (3 days in, 2 days flexible).

Great business requires great partners. The Vendor Relationship Specialist will collaborate with operations leadership OEMs, vendors, and contractors to improve our vendor experience. In this role, you will be responsible for developing RFPs and KPIs to establish consistency in service delivery, while leveraging scale to reduce overall expenses while simultaneously improving responsiveness and completion. Providing internal metrics to leadership on vendor performance and key areas of improvement that deliver results. This position interacts with internal team members in Canada and the US as well as vendors in both countries. The Vendor Relationship Specialist position will contribute to the efficiency and success of our vendor relations processes and procedures. This position supports the Vendor Relationship Manager for North America to carry out daily operations and use strategic thinking to execute a successful vendor relations program.

Essential Job Functions

• Responsible for developing, managing, and maintaining relationships with internal team members as well as vendors in North America

• Ensure on-time execution of projects by close cooperation with Suppliers, Operations, and Procurement teams

• Ensure daily operations run smoothly and efficiently by enforcing policies and procedures with all members of the staff

• Identify and mitigate risk from a delivery standpoint and ensure compliance with all internal policies

• Create and validate vendor contracts and new vendor set-up documentation

• Prepare and produce reports tracking vendor spending.

• Effective communication and negotiation skills with the ability to work effectively & independently

• Establish KPIs for assigned vendors and report on them to operations leadership

• Create purchase orders

• Make recommendations on vendors using an analytical approach that includes performance and cost

• Additional duties as assigned by Management

Job Requirements

• Bachelor of Science degree in Business, related field, or equivalent experience, required.

• 3 years' experience in procurement or vendor management required

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Negotiating and networking experience a plus.

• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

• Must be proficient in MS Excel (advanced)

• Strong data analysis and analytical skills.

• Strong ethical judgment and decision-making skills.

• Cares about small details and accuracy of reporting.

• Data Center, high-tech, or rapid growth industry experience is strongly preferred, but not required.

Physical Demands and Special Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use hands to handle, or feel objects; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop or kneel; talk and hear. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Additional Details

• This position is eligible for company benefits including but not limited to medical, dental, and vision coverage, life and AD&D, short and long-term disability coverage, paid time off, employee assistance, participation in a 401k program that includes company match, and many other additional voluntary benefits.

• Compensation for the role will depend on a number of factors, including your qualifications, skills, competencies, and experience and may fall outside of the range shown.