What roles are essential for building a strong vendor management team?

1 Vendor Manager

The vendor manager is the leader of the vendor management team and the main point of contact for the vendors. The vendor manager is responsible for defining the vendor strategy, selecting the best vendors, negotiating contracts and service level agreements, managing vendor performance and compliance, resolving issues and disputes, and fostering long-term relationships. The vendor manager needs to have strong communication, negotiation, analytical, and project management skills, as well as a deep understanding of the IT operations needs and goals.

2 Vendor Analyst

The vendor analyst is the data expert of the vendor management team and the support for the vendor manager. The vendor analyst is responsible for collecting, processing, and analyzing data related to the vendors, such as costs, quality, risks, and opportunities. The vendor analyst also helps to monitor and measure vendor performance and compliance, identify issues and trends, and generate reports and recommendations. The vendor analyst needs to have strong technical, analytical, and problem-solving skills, as well as a good knowledge of the IT operations processes and metrics.

3 Vendor Coordinator

The vendor coordinator is the organizer of the vendor management team and the facilitator for the vendors. The vendor coordinator is responsible for coordinating and communicating with the vendors, as well as with the internal stakeholders, such as IT operations staff, project managers, and business users. The vendor coordinator also helps to plan and execute vendor activities, such as onboarding, training, invoicing, and auditing. The vendor coordinator needs to have strong interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills, as well as a keen attention to detail and customer service.

4 Vendor Specialist

The vendor specialist is the subject matter expert of the vendor management team and the advisor for the vendors. The vendor specialist is responsible for providing technical and functional guidance and support to the vendors, as well as to the IT operations staff, regarding the specific services, products, or solutions that the vendors provide. The vendor specialist also helps to evaluate and validate vendor deliverables, troubleshoot issues, and implement best practices. The vendor specialist needs to have strong technical, functional, and operational skills, as well as a solid experience and knowledge of the IT operations domain and the vendor's offerings.

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?