Job Description

At Northwestern Mutual, we are strong, innovative and growing. We invest in our people. We care and make a positive difference.

What's the role?

Lead the vendor performance and relationship management capabilities and be the contact for specified vendor(s). Provide processes, guidance, and oversight to operational teams and facilitate governance internally and externally. Build a seamless relationship between the vendor, Client Advocacy operational areas, and our enterprise corporate partners.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities:

* Develop vendor engagement strategy, in partnership with internal teams, based on business needs, supply market dynamics, and changes in marketplace
* Align with the sourcing strategy and communicate to the business; develop and manage the relationship with the key stakeholders
* Execute vendor governance, relationship, communication, on-boarding & exit activities and multi-service provider integration (if needed) processes
* Responsible for agreeing and implementing vendor scorecards; ensures vendors are working in accordance with these and are supplying appropriate reporting
* Facilitate governance meetings between the vendor, and internal operational teams
* Leverage relationships to address current problems and work towards business objectives
* Measure internal customer satisfaction to ensure ongoing business value creation through vendor management
* Serves as the subject matter expert on vendor trends and behaviors as well as operational resource needs and performance

Performance Management:

* Defines, negotiates and reviews vendor performance metrics (KPIs, SLAs and OLAs)
* Analyzes vendor metrics and produces reporting templates tailored to the needs of the technology teams operational monitoring, strategic vendor management assessment, and for executive stakeholders
* Effectively manages performance governance forums, providing support to the technology operations team to run the periodic performance review meetings (including monthly and quarterly performance review meetings)
* Reviews performance against service levels and agrees on service improvement plans with vendors; Designs and manages improvement initiatives in collaboration with the technology teams
* Addresses and/or escalates issues and risks associated with vendor performance as appropriate
* Schedules governance review meetings and creates/coordinates meeting deliverables.

Bring your best! What this ro

* Education: Bachelor's Degree with an emphasis in Business, Operations or related field preferred OR a significant amount of directly related work experience beyond the minimum required for the position.
* 6+ years of previous experience in sourcing and procurement or related tech operations role
* Prior experience in vendor management preferred
* Strong and broad understanding of technology functions (software dev and support, infrastructure, data, information security, etc.) and various delivery methods (agile, waterfall, devops, etc.).
* Strong communication skills
* Good financial / analytical skills
* Strong decision making skills
* Strong category and general procurement background
* Knowledge of ITIL and other Performance Management standards
* Demonstrated ability to effectively work with internal and external stakeholders
* Demonstrated ability to organize and prioritize workload

This job is not covered by the existing Collective Bargaining Agreement.

Required Certifications:

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We are an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age or status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law.