Supplier Relationship Manager (Salt Lake City, Utah)

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The salary range for this position takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs.

At WGU, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their position, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is:

Job Description

Job Duties

• Provides supplier management lifecycle oversight of critical and complex third-party relationships. Monitors and manages the performance of their supplier portfolio to ensure agreed upon deliverables and service level commitments are met.
• Establishes clear expectations, defines key performance indicators (KPIs), and regularly evaluates supplier performance against these benchmarks. Maintains open communication lines with suppliers to address any issues or discrepancies promptly.
• Tracks and reports supplier deliverables and service level agreements, ensures accountability, mitigates potential risks, and upholds the organizations standards of quality and timeliness.
• Performs as a functional bridge amongst external suppliers as well as internal stakeholders, collaborating across the organization to coordinate the planning and execution of short- and long-term outcomes and projects to meet client and company current and future needs.
• Creates, documents, and facilitates internal change management processes and routines to introduce and drive adherence to supplier management operational rigor and routines, creating conditions for success by removing obstacles, and championing evolution of how work is delivered.
• Proactively assesses and analyzes supplier operations to identify any potential risks that may impact the organization's performance, business continuity, brand, reputation, and security.
• Uses quantitative and qualitative data to identify trends in issues and create strategies and recommendations for improvement and resolution.
• Identifies process improvements that will result in positive outcomes for all stakeholders.
• Fosters partnerships with suppliers, the broader Procurement team members, and internal business stakeholders to foster collaboration and to identify and recommend improvement opportunities.
• Researches business strategies and recommends best practices and changes in technology related to the performance of Academic Program initiatives.
• Ensures overall quality, consistency, and functionality of all work by team members to ensure a high level of performance and engagement from all team members in each functional group.
• Establishes appropriate performance metrics for direct reports and ensures accountability.
• Works with cross-functional teams regarding contract, billing, validity, and escalated issues.
• Ensures compliance with policies and procedures pertaining to supplier relations by Academic Program employees.
• Works with team members and other internal stakeholders to conduct regular supplier business reviews.
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

KSAs

• Exceptional relationship management skills and ability to influence decisions at executive leadership levels
• Demonstrated ability to lead strategic and organizational change delivering intended results and outcomes
• Strong executive-level communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively navigate and mediate conflict and foster direct dialog with suppliers, external clients, employees, account partners, and internal business teams.
• Strong analytical skillset and critical thinking (i.e., ability to compile, interpret and analyze data to make fact-based recommendations and decisions)
• Ability to organize, coordinate, and direct team activities and results
• Ability to recognize and execute on opportunities to leverage resources for better outcomes
• Ability to build relationships and influence at all levels
• Ability to be an agent of change in a rapidly changing environment
• Excellent organizational and project management skills, including the ability to effectively handle multiple tasks and pay attention to detail
• Sound judgment and decision-making skills in sometimes charged high stakes environments
• Communicates to improve and promote teamwork, decision-making, and problem solving. Listens and responds effectively to the reactions and positions of others and encourages the expression of diverse ideas and opinions. Adjusts message and style to fit the audience. Provides timely and helpful feedback. Communicates appropriately to win support with all audiences.
• Works cooperatively with others across the organization to achieve shared objectives. Represents own interests while being fair to others and their areas. Partners with others to get work done. Credits others for their contributions and accomplishments. Gains buy-in, trust, and support of others.
• Deals comfortably with the uncertainty of change. Effectively handles risk. Can decide to act without the total picture. Is calm and productive, even when things are up in the air. Deals constructively with problems that do not have clear solutions or outcomes.
• Is confident under pressure. Handles and manages crises effectively. Maintains a positive attitude despite adversity. Bounces back from obstacles and setbacks. Grows from hardships and negative experiences.
• Has a strong outcomes-based orientation. Persists in accomplishing objectives despite obstacles and setbacks. Has a track record of successfully succeeding goals. Pushes self and helps others to achieve results. Has a continuous improvement mindset.
• Forms teams with appropriate and diverse mixes of styles, perspectives, and experience. Establishes common objectives and a shared mind-set. Creates a feeling of belonging and strong team morale. Shares wins and rewards team efforts. Fosters open dialogue and collaboration among the team. Creates a team that works well cross-functionally.
• Learns quickly when facing new situations. Experiments to find new solutions. Takes on challenges of unfamiliar tasks. Extracts lessons learned from failures and mistakes. Expands knowledge base through ongoing curiosity.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in a related field
• 7 years of experience managing key, complex third-party supplier relationships
• Equivalent relevant experience performing the essential functions of this job may substitute for education degree requirements. Generally, equivalent relevant experience is defined as 1 year of experience for 1 year of education and is the discretion of the hiring manager.
• Must currently reside in, or be willing to relocate to Salt Lake City, Utah area within 60 days of offer acceptance.
• Ability to work on-site at theSalt Lake City, Utahoffice four (4) days per week with the option to work remotely on Fridays, as scheduled by the department.
• Ability to travel up to 25% or as needed to visit suppliers/conferences.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's Degree in a related field

Job Description Disclaimer: This position description provides the major duties/responsibilities, requirements and working conditions for the position. It is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current position, however management reserves the right to revise or change as necessary to meet organizational needs. Other responsibilities may be assigned when circumstances require.

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Position & Application Details

How to Apply: If interested, an application will need to be submitted online. Internal WGU employees will need to apply through the internal job board in Workday.

Additional Information

Disclaimer: The job posting highlights the most critical responsibilities and requirements of the job. It's not all-inclusive.

Accommodations: Applicants with disabilities who require assistance or accommodation during the application or interview process should contact our Talent Acquisition team at recruiting@wgu.edu.

Equal Employment Opportunity: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected characteristic as required by law.