Vendor Relationship Manager

Job Title: Vendor Relationship Manager
Location: Atlanta, GA-Hybrid
Duration: 12 Months
Job Description:
The following duties are normal for this position. The omission of specific statements of the duties does not exclude them from the classification if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment for this classification. Other duties may be required and assigned.

• Builds and manages relationships with vendors that supply products and services to the organization; develops and maintains a decision based, quality-driven preferred vendor list that is reviewed periodically and communicated with all departments; assists in setting selection criteria and potential suppliers evaluation; raises service improvements with the vendor when needed, and manages issue and disputes to resolution; must work with vendor to create cost effective ways to insure coverage and protection of client software/hardware assets.
• Acts as the primary point of commercial contact for vendors/suppliers with regards to contract negotiations, contract payments, service delivery, and contract renewals; works with Department Relations Assistant CIOs and department stakeholders to support negotiations of new or renewed contracts as appropriate; participates in supplier/partner selection and manages and negotiates the issue and renewal of all technology contracts; works with department stakeholders to define Service Level and Operational Level Agreements in contracts with vendors; works with the Procurement team to review and ensure services and invoices are consistent with the terms of the contract; works closely with the departments and IT Management Deputy CIO to define terms in new contracts that best align with department requirements and IT specifications; provides oversight during vendor audits where required and review audit results against existing contracts.
• Monitors and evaluates vendor performance and technology products and provide results to Purchasing and the user department; monitors system performance and review results with agency and vendor; review vendor performance against defined SLAs (Service Level Agreements), OLAs (Operational Level Agreements), and metrics with Department Relations Assistant CIOs and technical teams; works with Technology Innovation Manager to identify new vendors for transformational services, and establish contract terms that allow the organization to sufficiently prototype new solutions.
• Manages assigned department's AML (Annual Maintenance List); works with assigned departments to prepare AML list for budget cycle; works with departments to ensure all AML items are covered and PO's are in place; works with vendors to get estimates for annual maintenance costs; ensures that departments are in compliance with licensing, and support requirements.

Required Skills:

• Communication
• Compliance
• Relationship Management
• Vendor Management