Coditas - Strategic Vendor Manager

Description:

Coditas is an offshore product development organization comprised of passionate engineers, design thinkers, data scientists, cloud professionals, and other top industry professionals. We offer services spanning the entire length and breadth of software development, including cutting-edge technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, and Generating AI. With over 200 clients worldwide, we are partners with multi-billion dollar and Fortune 500 clients such as JPMorgan Chase, BCG, KPMG, Reliance, HDFC, IDFC, SunPharma, and many more. Coditas has experienced fast-paced growth thanks to an engineering-driven culture and steadfast philosophies around writing clean code, designing intuitive user experiences, and letting the work speak for itself.

Job Description:

We are seeking a strategic and operational Vendor Manager to oversee our external partner ecosystem and drive value through effective relationship management. This role will be responsible for the end-to-end vendor lifecycle, from selection and contracting to performance monitoring and risk mitigation. The ideal candidate will combine strong negotiation skills with operational expertise to ensure vendors deliver quality services that align with organizational goals.

Roles and Responsibilities:

Vendor Lifecycle Management:

- Oversee the end-to-end vendor lifecycle, including identification, selection, onboarding, and offboarding.

- Lead RFx (RFI, RFP, RFQ) processes to evaluate and select best-fit vendors based on capability, cost, and quality.

- Ensure seamless vendor onboarding by coordinating with legal, finance, and security teams for compliance.

Performance Management & Governance:

- Define and monitor Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and Service Level Agreements (SLAs) to ensure vendor accountability.

- Conduct regular Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs) and performance audits to drive continuous improvement.

- Resolve vendor disputes, escalations, and operational issues to minimize business disruption.

Contract Negotiation & Risk Optimization:

- Lead contract negotiations to secure favorable commercial terms and service guarantees.

- Identify and mitigate third-party risks (financial, operational, regulatory) throughout the partnership.

- Maintain a centralized repository of contracts and track renewals to prevent lapses in service.

Strategic Collaboration:

- Collaborate with cross-functional teams (Procurement, IT, Operations) to forecast needs and align vendor strategies.

- Analyze spend data to identify opportunities for cost consolidation and efficiency.

- Act as the primary point of contact for strategic vendor relationships.

Technical Skills:

- Strong expertise in vendor management frameworks, strategic sourcing, and procurement processes.

- Solid understanding of contract lifecycle management (CLM), legal terminology, and compliance standards.

- Proficiency in Excel, PowerPoint, and Vendor Management Systems (e.g., SAP Ariba, Coupa, or similar).

- Ability to translate performance data into actionable business insights.

- Exceptional communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.

- Strong problem-solving, strategic thinking, and project management abilities.

You Should Have:

- 6-9 years of experience in vendor management, procurement, or supply chain operations.

- Proven track record of managing complex vendor portfolios and driving cost optimization.

- Experience in working with cross-functional teams and senior leadership.