Strategic Sourcing & Vendor Management Specialist
Vanguard · Malvern, PA
- On site
- Full-time
- $95,000 / year
- Malvern, PA
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Strategic Sourcing & Vendor Management Specialist
Vanguard · Malvern, PA
Taylor Morgan
Hiring Manager · h•••••@vanguardjobs.com
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Job highlights
- Lead complex sourcing and vendor management initiatives.
- Negotiate contracts and manage vendor relationships.
- Analyze markets and optimize supplier performance.
- Collaborate across cross-functional teams.
- Ensure risk mitigation and contract compliance.
About the role
Strategic Sourcing and Vendor Management Specialist
Vanguard's Enterprise Supply Management team is seeking a Strategic Sourcing & Vendor Management Specialist to lead strategic sourcing initiatives and manage vendor relationships of moderate to high complexity. The goal is to drive optimal value, performance, and risk outcomes, ensuring alignment with business objectives through executing category strategies, conducting sourcing events, negotiating contracts, and overseeing vendor performance.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Sourcing (Primary Focus – 75%)
- Leads complex sourcing engagements, including supplier identification, evaluation, selection, and negotiations.
- Conducts supply market analysis and leverages industry trends to inform category strategies and sourcing decisions.
- Partners with business stakeholders, legal, and risk to execute sourcing initiatives and resolve escalations.
- Negotiates and interprets contract terms, ensuring risk mitigation and clear communication of obligations.
- Ensures adherence to sourcing governance, policies, and procedures; educates stakeholders on sourcing best practices.
- Maintains sourcing and contract data in enterprise systems to support reporting and transparency.
Vendor Management (Secondary Focus – 25%)
- Manages relationships with key vendors, serving as a primary point of contact for performance and issue resolution.
- Monitors vendor performance against contractual commitments and service expectations; recommends improvements as needed.
- Performs vendor analysis, pricing evaluations, and invoice reviews to ensure value realization and contract compliance.
- Supports development and execution of RFPs, including proposal evaluation and vendor selection.
- Resolves vendor-related issues and contributes to continuous improvement of vendor management practices.
Qualifications
- Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, or vendor management.
- Undergraduate degree or equivalent experience required; advanced degree preferred.
- Demonstrated experience in: Strategic sourcing and supplier negotiations, Contract development and risk management, Supplier and market analysis, Vendor performance management.
Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Effective negotiation and contract management capabilities
- Ability to influence and collaborate across cross-functional teams
- Strong communication and stakeholder management skills
- Understanding of procurement governance, risk, and compliance frameworks
Competencies
- Strategic Thinking
- Business Acumen
- Relationship Management
- Decision Making
- Risk Awareness
Additional Information
- Experience in HR, Benefits, Talent, or IT categories preferred.
- Experience working in a complex, matrixed organization.
Special Factors
- Sponsorship: Vanguard is not offering visa sponsorship for this position.
About Vanguard
At Vanguard, we are on a mission to work for the long-term financial wellbeing of our clients, lead through transformative products and services, and foster individual and team development. Our mission drives us to be our best.
How We Work
Vanguard has implemented a hybrid working model designed to capture the benefits of enhanced flexibility while enabling in-person learning, collaboration, and connection. We believe our mission-driven and highly collaborative culture is a critical enabler to support long-term client outcomes and enrich the employee experience.
Key skills/competency
- Strategic Sourcing
- Vendor Management
- Procurement
- Contract Negotiation
- Risk Management
- Supplier Analysis
- Stakeholder Management
- Category Strategy
- RFP Development
- Performance Monitoring
Skills & topics
- Strategic Sourcing
- Vendor Management
- Procurement Specialist
- Contract Negotiation
- Supplier Relationship Management
- Market Analysis
- RFP Management
- Risk Management
- Procurement Governance
- Supply Chain
How to get hired
- Tailor your resume: Highlight strategic sourcing, vendor management, and negotiation experience.
- Showcase analytical skills: Emphasize experience in market analysis and contract interpretation.
- Demonstrate collaboration: Provide examples of working with legal, risk, and business stakeholders.
- Prepare for interviews: Be ready to discuss complex sourcing scenarios and vendor issue resolution.
- Understand Vanguard's culture: Research their mission and hybrid work model to align your answers.
Technical preparation
Master sourcing and negotiation frameworks.,Practice market and supplier analysis techniques.,Familiarize with contract terms and risk mitigation.,Review procurement governance and compliance.
Behavioral questions
Describe a complex sourcing negotiation you led.,How do you manage difficult vendor relationships?,Share an experience influencing cross-functional teams.,How do you ensure contract compliance and risk mitigation?
Prefer to apply the usual way?
Not recommended alone — most applicants never hear back. Email the hiring manager first.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the primary focus of the Strategic Sourcing & Vendor Management Specialist role at Vanguard?
- The primary focus of this role at Vanguard is strategic sourcing, accounting for approximately 75% of the responsibilities. This includes leading complex sourcing engagements, market analysis, and contract negotiations.
- What experience is required for the Strategic Sourcing & Vendor Management Specialist position at Vanguard?
- A minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, or vendor management is required. An undergraduate degree or equivalent experience is necessary, with an advanced degree being preferred.
- Does Vanguard offer visa sponsorship for the Strategic Sourcing & Vendor Management Specialist role?
- No, Vanguard is not offering visa sponsorship for this Strategic Sourcing & Vendor Management Specialist position.
- What type of work arrangement does Vanguard offer for this role?
- Vanguard has implemented a hybrid working model for the majority of its roles, including this Strategic Sourcing & Vendor Management Specialist position, balancing flexibility with in-person collaboration.
- What are the key competencies for a Strategic Sourcing & Vendor Management Specialist at Vanguard?
- Key competencies for this role include Strategic Thinking, Business Acumen, Relationship Management, Decision Making, and Risk Awareness, crucial for driving value and managing complex vendor relationships.
- Are there specific categories preferred for the Strategic Sourcing & Vendor Management Specialist at Vanguard?
- Yes, experience in HR, Benefits, Talent, or IT categories is preferred for the Strategic Sourcing & Vendor Management Specialist role at Vanguard.
- How does Vanguard approach vendor management in this role?
- Vendor management involves managing key vendor relationships, monitoring performance against contracts, performing analysis, and resolving issues to ensure value realization and contract compliance.
- What skills are essential for a Strategic Sourcing & Vendor Management Specialist at Vanguard?
- Essential skills include strong analytical and problem-solving abilities, effective negotiation and contract management, cross-functional influence, and stakeholder management.