Vendor Relationship Manager - Supply Chain - Full-time / Part-time

Administrative support roles are critical to the success of every function at Verizon. Enjoy the challenge of bringing organization and efficiency to a variety of global, cross-functional projects.

Responsibilities

Job Description

The Vendor Relationship Manager will identify, scope, and lead improvement opportunities related to Capital Management for key strategic vendors within the Network (cell tower, switch, and data center) supply chain.  The Vendor Relationship Manager will be responsible for establishing and managing processes that ensure alignment between vendor performance and Verizon Wireless network needs and requirements as well as alignment with other strategic initiatives.  The Vendor Relationship Manager will perform detailed data and process analysis to identify and understand supply chain issues stemming from current processes and interactions with the strategic vendors.  The Vendor Relationship Manager will identify and lead supply chain improvement efforts and inform supply chain strategy for continuing partnership with the vendor.  The Vendor Relationship Manager will also oversee supplier compliance and performance management/measurement including key process indicator (KPI) reporting and analysis. 

Additional responsibilities include benchmark and leverage leading practices, develop new processes, provide thought leadership, and lead specific programs.  Primary objectives will be to drive Supply Chain efficiencies, increase customer focus, reduce working capital, and reduce costs.  The Vendor Relationship Manager will also partner with other Supply Chain team members along with Network Asset Management and the Verizon Sourcing Organization to develop and implement a coordinated, consistent, and proactive supplier relationship program.

The successful candidate will have expertise in supply chain domains such as inventory management, demand and supply planning, logistics, and supply chain metrics/KPI’s.  He or she will also have demonstrated successes applying analytic and process improvement techniques to solve real world problems. 

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

Performance Improvement and Project Leadership

• Responsible for identifying and leading performance improvement initiatives with critical suppliers, focused on creating opportunities for innovation and continuous improvement.
• Lead data and process analysis to identify and understand underlying supply chain issues related to interactions with critical vendors. 
• Lead cross-functional teams to improve supply chain performance in sourcing equipment, software, and/or services from these strategic vendors.  Improvements could include establishing new processes, re-engineering existing processes, improving data flows, and implementing operating and governance frameworks.
• Role will require interaction and negotiations with outside vendors.  The role also interacts with/influences internal and external senior management.
• Role will also partner closely with the Network Asset Management team and Verizon Sourcing Organization (VSO).  Role will also require coordination with regions/areas, Supply Chain, other functions, and partners to lead new and existing objectives. 
• Develop data driven business cases to support improvement efforts
• Drive comprehensive change management, ensuring successful implementation, adoption, and application of new capabilities
• Successfully train and handoff new capabilities to functional teams
• Develop performance management systems to track on-going performance including identifying and implementing relevant metrics and KPI’s
• Facilitate development of value-based relationships with suppliers that align to long-term value creation.

KPI Management

• Own measurement and management of supplier performance, value delivery, and compliance to shared goals and agreed upon processes.  Encourage constructive dialogue and relationships and utilize the performance management process to determine needs and areas of focus.
• Manage weekly and monthly KPI’s related to the vendor.  Partner with Network Asset Management and VSO to develop, implement, and own supplier scorecard.
• Develop the knowledge and expertise to serve as a subject matter expert on vendor’s supply chain data and performance.
• Utilize data trends to hypothesize process cause and effect and validate with detailed analysis
• Identify opportunities to improve KPI and data management and reporting.
• Plan and host quarterly management reviews with key vendors.

Continuous Improvement and Thought Leadership Development

• Drive and support continuous improvement efforts across Capital Management
• Document and help proliferate best practices for Capital Management
• Interface with IT to identify and drive system improvements to support supply chain strategy.  Create business requirements and drive implementation of required systems and tools to support improvements.
• Assess the Network Supply Chain against industry best-practices and advanced thought leadership for long-term, high impact opportunities.

Qualifications

Qualifications

Experience:

• 6-8 years of industry experience with strong competency in supply chain management
• Deep understanding of supply chain processes and issues including inventory optimization, demand and supply planning, transportation and logistics, and supply chain metrics
• Experience analyzing large data sets with a focus on identifying supply chain issues and trends
• Extensive experience with process and value stream mapping
• Knowledge of Lean tools and techniques; Green or Black Belt preferred
• Development and/or implementation of continuous improvement and best practice processes and techniques
• Strategy, business process or systems consulting experience preferred.
• Strong analytical and technical skills are required, as well as excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Familiarity with ERP systems is required; experience with supply chain systems, such as planning, transportation, and warehouse, is preferred.
• Financial and strategic business case justification
• Demonstrated project management excellence, proven success in project delivery through utilizing influencing and persuasive skill sets
• Strong leadership abilities
• Proficient in engaging and influencing large teams
• Strong relationship building skills
• Attention to detail, data accuracy and quality of output
• Results oriented and deadline driven
• Development and delivery of executive communication
• Wireless, mobile industry knowledge preferred

Other: 

• Proven ability to balance analytical analysis with pragmatic problem solving skills, and a track record of developing and applying business process improvements to solve real world problems

Education:  Bachelor's degree in supply chain or another technical field required.  Master's degree preferred.

Other:

• Proficiency with Word and advanced knowledge of Excel, PowerPoint, and Visio is required.
• Experience with Access and statistical software packages is desired.
• Change management skills
• Team facilitation skills
• Excellent writing and verbal skills, including presentation skills

Equal Employment Opportunity

• Verizon is a Federal Contractor
• Verizon requests veteran priority referrals
• Verizon is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer M/F/Disability/Vet.