Senior Manager - Vendor Management - BFS/IT

Job Title: Senior Manager - Vendor Management

Location: India (Bangalore/Delhi NCR/Mumbai - as applicable)

Department: Supply Chain / Procurement / Operations

Reports To: Director / Head - Procurement / Operations

Job Summary:

- We are seeking an experienced and strategic Senior Manager - Vendor Management to oversee and optimise vendor relationships across India.

- This role is responsible for developing strong supplier partnerships, negotiating contracts, driving cost efficiencies, ensuring compliance, and aligning vendor performance with business objectives. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in procurement, operations, or supply chain, and excellent stakeholder and negotiation skills.

Key Responsibilities:

Vendor Strategy & Selection

- Develop and execute vendor management strategies aligned with organizational goals.

- Identify, evaluate, and onboard vendors across multiple categories.

- Manage RFP/RFQ processes and vendor due diligence.

Relationship Management

- Build long-term, value-driven relationships with key vendors and partners.

- Act as the primary point of contact for all critical vendor interactions and issue escalations.

- Conduct regular vendor review meetings and performance evaluations.

- Contract & Negotiation Management

- Negotiate commercial terms, SLAs, and pricing models.

- Ensure contracts are legally compliant and meet internal standards.

- Work closely with the legal and finance teams on vendor agreements.

Performance & Risk Management

- Define KPIs, monitor vendor performance, and ensure adherence to SLAs.

- Identify vendor-related risks and develop mitigation plans.

- Maintain updated vendor documentation, certifications, and compliance records.

- Cost Optimization & Innovation

- Drive cost savings through better negotiation, strategic sourcing, and vendor consolidation.

- Encourage vendors to innovate and improve service quality or delivery timelines.

Cross-functional Collaboration

- Partner with internal stakeholders such as operations, legal, finance, and compliance teams.

- Align vendor capabilities with business goals and expansion plans.

Qualifications & Skills:

- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business Administration, Engineering, or related field.

- MBA or relevant post-graduate qualification is preferred.

- 8-12 years of experience in vendor management, procurement (minimum 3 years in a leadership role).

- Proven track record in vendor negotiations, contract management, and performance evaluation.

- Excellent analytical, interpersonal, and stakeholder management skills.

- Strong knowledge of Indian supplier ecosystem and regulatory landscape.

- Proficiency in tools like SAP, Oracle, or other ERP platforms is a plus