Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Vendor Research Manager

🎯 Role Definition

As our Vendor Research Manager, you will be the central intelligence hub for all vendor-related activities. You will be responsible for developing and executing comprehensive research strategies to identify best-in-class suppliers that align with our company's quality, cost, and strategic goals. This role requires a unique blend of analytical rigor, market savvy, and interpersonal finesse. You will work cross-functionally with leaders in IT, Finance, Legal, and Operations to understand business needs, manage the entire vendor lifecycle from discovery to performance management, and ultimately ensure our vendor partnerships are a key competitive advantage.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Senior Procurement Analyst
Strategic Sourcing Specialist
Contracts Manager
Category Specialist

Advancement To:

Director of Strategic Sourcing
Head of Procurement
Senior Manager of Vendor Relations

Lateral Moves:

Supply Chain Manager
Category Manager
Operations Manager

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Lead comprehensive market research and competitive analysis to identify, evaluate, and qualify new vendors, suppliers, and technology partners across various spend categories.
Develop and manage the end-to-end Request for Proposal (RFP), Request for Information (RFI), and Request for Quotation (RFQ) processes, including criteria development, vendor communication, and proposal evaluation.
Establish and maintain a centralized vendor intelligence repository, including detailed profiles, capabilities, performance history, and risk assessments.
Conduct deep-dive financial health assessments and due diligence on potential vendors to mitigate supply chain and partnership risks.
Spearhead complex contract and pricing negotiations, partnering with Legal and Finance teams to secure favorable terms, service level agreements (SLAs), and master service agreements (MSAs).
Develop and implement sophisticated vendor scorecards and key performance indicators (KPIs) to systematically monitor, measure, and report on vendor performance.
Build and cultivate strong, strategic relationships with key vendors, acting as a primary point of contact for escalations and performance reviews.
Collaborate closely with internal department heads and stakeholders to understand their business requirements, challenges, and upcoming needs for third-party support.
Formulate and execute category-specific sourcing strategies that align with long-term business objectives and drive cost optimization and value creation.
Analyze total cost of ownership (TCO) for various solutions and services to provide data-driven recommendations for build vs. buy decisions.
Stay at the forefront of industry trends, emerging technologies, and market dynamics to proactively identify opportunities and risks within the vendor landscape.
Lead cross-functional project teams through the vendor selection and onboarding process, ensuring a smooth and efficient transition for new partners.
Develop and present executive-level summaries and business cases for vendor selection, renewal, or termination.
Manage the vendor lifecycle, including onboarding, integration, performance management, and offboarding procedures.

Secondary Functions

Champion the continuous improvement of vendor research and management processes, tools, and policies within the organization.
Conduct regular business reviews (QBRs) with strategic partners to review performance, address challenges, and explore opportunities for innovation and deeper collaboration.
Serve as a subject matter expert on vendor capabilities and market conditions, providing guidance and insights to teams across the company.
Support the annual budgeting and forecasting process by providing accurate data and insights on vendor spend and potential savings opportunities.
Ensure all vendor engagements adhere to corporate compliance, security, privacy, and ethical standards.
Resolve complex vendor-related disputes and performance issues, mediating between internal teams and external partners to find effective solutions.
Create and maintain detailed documentation on sourcing decisions, negotiation outcomes, and vendor relationship histories.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Strategic Sourcing & Category Management
Contract Negotiation & Lifecycle Management (CLM)
Market Research & Competitive Intelligence Analysis
Procurement Software (e.g., Coupa, SAP Ariba, GEP)
Advanced Data Analysis (Excel, SQL, Tableau/Power BI)
Financial Acumen & Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) Modeling
RFP/RFQ/RFI Process Management
Risk Assessment & Mitigation Methodologies
Vendor Performance Management (KPIs & Scorecards)
Supply Chain Principles

Soft Skills

Exceptional Negotiation and Influencing Skills
Stakeholder Management & Cross-Functional Collaboration
Superior Written and Verbal Communication
Strategic and Analytical Thinking
Advanced Problem-Solving and Decision-Making
Relationship Building & Interpersonal Skills
Project Management and Organization
Business Acumen
Adaptability and Resilience
Attention to Detail

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's Degree

Preferred Education:

Master of Business Administration (MBA) or a professional certification (e.g., CPSM, CIPS).

Relevant Fields of Study:

Supply Chain Management
Business Administration
Finance
Economics
Data Analytics

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 7-10 years of progressive experience in procurement, strategic sourcing, or vendor management.

Preferred: Demonstrated experience managing a significant spend category (e.g., IT, Marketing, Professional Services) and leading high-stakes negotiations from start to finish. Proven track record of delivering measurable cost savings and process improvements.