Lead IT Vendor Management Specialist (Hybrid)

As the Lead IT Vendor Management Specialist with American Family Insurance, you will be accountable for the strategic sourcing life cycle for IT tier 1 suppliers. This includes spend analytics, market and demand analysis, supplier evaluation and selection, negotiations, contracting, supplier risk and performance management, and supplier relationship management. You will perform these tasks in compliance with corporate policies. Develop relationships with IT leaders, knowledge of business operations and vendor requirements, and influence vendor strategies. Develop category strategies and build a sourcing project portfolio to allow your team to achieve its goals. You will report to the Director, Sourcing & Procurement. #LI-Hybrid Position Compensation Range: $88,000.00 - $145,000.00 Pay Rate Type: Salary Compensation may vary based on the job level and your geographic work location. Relocation support is offered for eligible candidates. Leverage expertise in strategic sourcing, procurement, and vendor management to manage and optimize a portfolio of large, complex and strategically important supplier relationships that deliver sustainable long-term value to the business. Develop and execute ongoing vendor management strategies to optimize vendor relationships, performance and risk. Develop and maintain category strategies aligned with long-term business needs and in anticipation of evolving market conditions. Establish relationships with main partners and executives to influence vendor strategies, improve vendor spend, and mitigate risk while promoting a partner experience. Serve as the primary relationship owner for Tier 1 suppliers. Define strategies to maximize the effectiveness of the relationship, mitigate risk, improve value, assure identification and resolution of performance issues and compliance with contract requirements through regular business and executive reviews. Align short and long-term needs of partners to our vendor capabilities, driving scale and progress. and ensuring vendor roadmaps align to our goals. Lead cross-functional teams through the strategic sourcing process for assigned categories. This process includes supplier selection (RFx), negotiations, establishing contract terms and conditions, facilitating contract renewals, and applying project and change management best practices. The goal is to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes aligned with business objectives. Use knowledge of business operations, spend analytics, market intelligence, internal demand forecasts, and financial analytics to evaluate complex vendor proposals and strategies. Present recommendations that are fact-based, data driven and enable effective decision making, developing them. Serve as a subject matter expert for assigned supplier contracts. Assure compliance with contract approval process and adherence to contract standards. Assist and support partners in the contract management lifecycle from award to termination. Develop executive summaries, business leader reporting that point out the strategy, health and effectiveness of the vendor ecosystem. Specialized Knowledge & Skills Requirements Demonstrated experience providing customer-driven solutions, support or service. Demonstrated experience in project management methodologies, practices, techniques and tools. Solid knowledge and understanding of processing systems and processes. Solid knowledge and understanding of the insurance industry and regulatory environment. Basic knowledge and understanding of contract negotiations. Additional Information Offer to selected candidate will be made contingent on the results of applicable background checks Offer to selected candidate is contingent on signing a non-disclosure agreement for proprietary information, trade secrets, and inventions Sponsorship will not be considered for this position unless specified in the posting In this hybrid role, you will be expected to work a minimum of 10 days per month out of either the Madison, WI or Boston, MA offices. We provide benefits that support your physical, emotional, and financial wellbeing. You will have access to comprehensive medical, dental, vision and wellbeing benefits that enable you to take care of your health. We also offer a competitive 401(k) contribution, a pension plan, an annual incentive, 9 paid holidays and a paid time off program (23 days accrued annually for full-time employees). In addition, our student loan repayment program and paid-family leave are available to support our employees and their families. Interns and contingent workers are not eligible for American Family Insurance Group benefits. We are an equal opportunity employer. It is our policy to comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws pertaining to non-discrimination, non-harassment and equal opportunity. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local law. American Family Insurance is committed to the full in Apply tot his job Apply To this Job