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Vendor Management Lead Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Eliassen Group

Vendor Management Lead

Merrimack, NH · On-site

$45 - $48/hr

Hybrid Every other week onsite/5 days in either Merrimac, NH or Smithfield, RI or Westlake, TX Our client seeks a vendor management professional to lead a portfolio of medium-to-high complexity ...

BBQ Holdings

IT Vendor Management Lead

Minnetonka, MN · On-site

MTY is seeking an experienced IT Vendor Management Lead to develop and lead strategic sourcing, vendor management, and cost optimization across the IT department. This role will serve as the subject ...

BBQ Holdings

IT Vendor Management Lead

Minnetonka, MN · On-site

MTY is seeking an experienced IT Vendor Management Lead to develop and lead strategic sourcing, vendor management, and cost optimization across the IT department. This role will serve as the subject ...

Genentech

PX Vendor Management Lead

South San Francisco, CA · Hybrid

$127K - $236K/yr

The Opportunity As the PX Vendor Management Lead (SE7) within PX Delivery, you will lead the day-to-day operational performance of third-party vendors (such telephony, call center, and other services ...

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Vendor Management Lead information

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$12

$46

$78

How much do vendor management lead jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 28, 2026, the average hourly pay for vendor management lead in the United States is $46.21, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $29.09 and $57.21 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a vendor management lead?

A Vendor Management Lead is a professional responsible for overseeing and managing relationships with third-party suppliers or vendors. Their main duties include selecting vendors, negotiating contracts, ensuring compliance with company policies, and monitoring vendor performance to optimize value and minimize risk. They act as a liaison between the company and its vendors to ensure business needs are met efficiently and cost-effectively. Vendor Management Leads often work closely with procurement, legal, and operations teams to align vendor services with organizational goals.

What are some common challenges faced by a vendor management lead, and how can they be effectively addressed?

Vendor Management Leads often encounter challenges such as ensuring consistent vendor performance, managing contractual compliance, and navigating communication across diverse suppliers. To address these, it's important to establish clear performance metrics, maintain regular review meetings, and foster strong relationships with vendors and internal stakeholders. Proactive risk assessment and transparent communication are key strategies for overcoming these challenges and ensuring successful partnerships.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a vendor management lead, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Vendor Management Lead, you need expertise in procurement, contract negotiation, and supplier relationship management, usually backed by a degree in business or supply chain management. Proficiency with vendor management systems (VMS), procurement software, and knowledge of compliance standards or relevant certifications like CPM or CPSM are highly valued. Strong communication, analytical thinking, and problem-solving skills help foster productive partnerships and resolve issues efficiently. These skills and qualifications are critical for optimizing vendor performance, ensuring compliance, and supporting organizational goals through effective supplier collaboration.

What is the difference between Vendor Management Lead vs Vendor Relationship Manager?

AspectVendor Management LeadVendor Relationship Manager
CredentialsTypically requires procurement, supply chain, or business management certificationsOften holds certifications in vendor management or client relationship management
Work EnvironmentWorks within procurement or supply chain teams, managing vendor strategiesFocuses on maintaining and enhancing vendor relationships, often in client-facing roles
Employer & Industry UsageCommon in large corporations, government agencies, and consulting firmsPrevalent in service industries, IT, and consulting sectors
Search & Comparison IntentPeople compare to understand leadership roles in vendor managementOften compared to grasp relationship management responsibilities

The Vendor Management Lead primarily oversees vendor strategies and procurement processes, focusing on managing vendor performance and compliance. In contrast, the Vendor Relationship Manager emphasizes building and maintaining strong vendor relationships to ensure service quality and client satisfaction. Both roles require strong communication and negotiation skills but differ in scope and focus within vendor management functions.

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What cities are hiring for Vendor Management Lead jobs?

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What job categories do people searching Vendor Management Lead jobs look for?

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Vendor Management Lead jobs near you
Infographic showing various Vendor Management Lead job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 84% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 83% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 15% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $96,121 per year, or $46.2 per hour.

Vendor Management Lead

Merrimack, NH • On-site

Eliassen Group
IT Services • 5 - 10K employees
Learn more about Eliassen Groupexternal

$45 - $48/hr

Contractor

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Re-posted 26 days ago

Job description

Description:

Hybrid Every other week onsite/5 days in either Merrimac, NH or Smithfield, RI or Westlake, TX

Our client seeks a vendor management professional to lead a portfolio of medium-to-high complexity technology vendors with a focus on risk, performance, and financial outcomes. The role will coordinate with cross-functional partners to align vendor strategy, enforce contract compliance, and drive continuous improvement. The position will measure service levels, manage risk profiles, and support procurement activities across a dynamic environment. The work will require strong communication, negotiation, and executive presence.

Due to client requirements, applicants must be willing and able to work on a w2 basis. For our w2 consultants, we offer a great benefits package that includes Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits, 401k with company matching, and life insurance.

Rate: $45.00 to $48.00/hr. w2

 JN -052026-106686

Responsibilities:
  • Provide oversight to a portfolio of vendors with strategic complexity.
  • Lead, measure, and report vendor performance relative to contracted expectations, including Service Level Agreements, and drive improvement and accountability.
  • Identify and implement cost reduction opportunities across the vendor portfolio.
  • Support funding processes including purchase order creation and tracking, reporting, and governance reviews.
  • Drive proactive vendor risk mitigation and collaborate with enterprise risk functions.
  • Maintain deep knowledge of each relationship’s overall risk profile and drive resolution of risk events.
  • Build partnerships across Procurement, Risk, and Finance.
  • Develop a full understanding of active contracts and ensure adherence to contract terms by vendors and our client.
  • Participate in procurement activities including market scans, RFPs/RFXs, contract and vendor negotiations, and coordinate approvals to timely completion.
  • Coordinate and lead business review meetings with vendors.
  • Complete responsibilities and compliance activities aligned to the Enterprise Vendor Management policy.
  • Provide analysis and recommendations to resolve complex issues.
  • Produce recurring dashboards and scorecards for internal and external stakeholders.
Experience Requirements:
  • 7 to 10 years of experience in vendor management, procurement, or risk-related roles.
  • Proven communication, facilitation, influencing, and negotiating skills with executive presence.
  • Ability to independently lead complex vendor engagements with minimal oversight.
  • Demonstrated organization skills to manage multiple projects or activities and deliver accurate, timely results.
  • Experience cultivating partnerships with peers, leaders, vendors, and stakeholders.
  • Background in vendor management and procurement processes.
  • Experience establishing processes, solutions, and standards in dynamic environments.
Education Requirements:
  • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent relevant experience.
Recruitment Transparency Notice
 
Eliassen Group values transparency in our recruitment practices. Please be advised that Eliassen Group utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) tools as part of its initial application screening and hiring process. You may receive email and SMS notifications from the Eliassen Virtual Recruiting Team (noreply@eliassen.com, 781-808-2924) inviting you to complete a brief voice screening as part of your application process. These tools assist our hiring teams in different ways, including but not limited to, assistance in reviewing application materials to help identify candidates whose qualifications most closely match the requirements of the position. All AI-assisted evaluations and responses are reviewed by human recruiters before any hiring decisions are made. The use of AI in our process is intended to support fairness, efficiency, and consistency, and Eliassen Group takes measures to prevent bias or discrimination in connection with its hiring practices. By proceeding, you acknowledge, agree, and consent to Eliassen Group’s use of these tools, including AI tools, as part of the application and hiring process.
 

Skills, experience, and other compensable factors will be considered when determining pay rate. The pay range provided in this posting reflects a W2 hourly rate; other employment options may be available that may result in pay outside of the provided range.W2 employees of Eliassen Group who are regularly scheduled to work 30 or more hours per week are eligible for the following benefits: medical (choice of 3 plans), dental, vision, pre-tax accounts, other voluntary benefits including life and disability insurance, 401(k) with match, and sick time if required by law in the worked-in state/locality.If anyone reaches out to you about an open position connected with Eliassen Group, please ensure that you are working directly with us by confirming the following:

· When you work with Eliassen Group, all email communication will come from an Eliassen.com address, never Gmail, Yahoo, etc.

· Eliassen Group will never ask you for personal information (home address, bank account, or check routing number) until you have worked with someone clearly associated with Eliassen Group.

If you have any indication of fraudulent activity, please contact fraud@eliassen.com.

 
About Eliassen Group:
 
Eliassen Group is a strategic consulting firm that helps organizations reach further and achieve more through our technology, business advisory, and life sciences solutions. For nearly 40 years, we have combined exceptional people, deep domain expertise, and intelligent capabilities to expand our clients’ capacity and accelerate meaningful outcomes. We are driven by a purpose to positively impact the lives of our employees, clients, consultants, and the communities we serve.
 
Eliassen is committed to building a diverse and inclusive team from a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We are an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer and all employment decisions are based on merit, performance, and business needs. Eliassen does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender identity or expression, sexual preference or orientation, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), marital status, creed, religion, physical or mental disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, age, ancestry, national origin, citizenship status, prohibited criminal record inquiries of applicants and employees, or any other category protected by federal, state, or local laws.
 
Don’t miss out on our referral program! If we hire a candidate that you refer us to then you can be eligible for a $1,000 referral check!
 
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About Eliassen Group

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Eliassen Group provides strategic consulting and talent solutions to drive our clients' innovation and business results. Our purpose is to positively impact the lives of our employees, clients, consultants, and the communities in which we operate. Leveraging over 30 years of success, our expertise in talent solutions, life sciences consulting, Agile consulting, cloud services, risk management, business optimization, and managed services enables us to partner with our clients to execute their business strategy and scale effectively. Headquartered in Reading, MA, and with offices from coast to coast, Eliassen Group offers local community presence and deep networks, as well as national reach.

Industry

It services

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Reading, MA, US

Year founded

1989

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