Manager Vendor Management
Blue Cross Blue Shield Kansas

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas is looking to add to our leadership team and has a new opportunity for a Manager, Vendor Management. This position is responsible for overseeing, optimizing and managing relationships with strategic suppliers, ensuring they meet performance expectations, resolving issues, and driving continuous improvement initiatives. This position requires strong supplier relationship management skills, attention to detail, and the ability to collaborate effectively with internal and external stakeholders to achieve organizational goals. This role works on projects related to strategic sourcing and revenue enablement to provide sizable cost savings to the organization, but also total value including sustainability and supplier innovation. It directly impacts the corporate strategic initiative of affordability in healthcare.

"This position is eligible to work hybrid (9 or more days a month onsite) in accordance with our Telecommuting Policy. Applicants must reside in Kansas or Missouri or be willing to relocate as a condition of employment."

Are you ready to make a difference? Choose to work for one of the most trusted companies in Kansas.

Why Join Us?

• Family Comes First: Total rewards package that promotes the idea of family first for all employees; including paid time off and family first leave.
• Professional Growth Opportunities: Advance your career with ongoing training and development programs both through our internal Blue University and external opportunities.
• Dynamic Work Environment: Collaborate with a team of passionate and driven individuals.
• Trust: Work for one of the most trusted companies in Kansas.
• Lead and Inspire: Guide and mentor your team to achieve their full potential and success.

Compensation

$117,000 - $134,000
Exempt Grade 18

• Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas offers excellent competitive compensation with the goal of retaining and growing talented team members. The compensation range for this role is a good faith estimate, it is estimated based on what a successful candidate might be paid. All offers presented to candidates are carefully reviewed to ensure fair, equitable pay by offering competitive wages that align with the individual's skills, education, experience, and training. The range may vary above or below the stated amounts.

What you'll do

• Develop and implement VMO strategies, policies, and procedures to streamline vendor management process.
• Chair a cross-functional, interdivisional team to ensure governance of and provide practical, coordinated, and consistent oversight of third-party firms.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with internal and external key stakeholders. Serve as the primary point of contact for vendor communications, escalations, and conflict resolution. Foster collaboration and align vendor solutions with business objectives.
• Establish and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) and metrics to evaluate vendor performance and drive continuous improvement. Conduct regular performance audits and assessment of vendor performance to address performance issues, drive improvements, and achieve service level agreements (SLAs).
• Assess and mitigate risks associated with vendor relationships. Identify potential risks, develop risk mitigation strategies, and ensure vendors adhere to regulatory requirements, ethical standards, and company policies.
• Review and analyze vendor performance data, prepare reports, and provide insights to support decision-making within the VMO and across the organization. Maintain accurate vendor records and documentation. Implement and monitor any corrective action plans for non-compliance.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives within the vendor management process. Identify opportunities to streamline operations, reduce costs, innovations, and enhance vendor relationships to achieve business objectives.
• Conduct comprehensive benchmarking of market data to evaluate vendor management processes and procedures compared with industry standards and practices.
• Lead and develop Vendor Management training efforts.
• Accountable for performance monitoring, policy enforcement, termination process, disciplinary action, hiring, compliance and team development. Maintaining accurate records of all hiring, firing and disciplinary actions.

What you need

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, supply chain management, finance, or a related field
• Five to seven (5-7) years' experience in vendor management, procurement, contract management, or contract negotiation
• One to three years' experience in a managerial and/or leadership role
• Ability to use influence to build and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong foundation in information navigation, enabling them to efficiently find, evaluate, and synthesize information from various sources. This role requires a proactive approach to research, critical thinking, and the ability to present findings in a clear and actionable manner.
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements, ethical standards, and best practices in supplier relationship management.
• Demonstrate digital dexterity by quickly adapting to new technologies, tools, and platforms to enhance efficiency and effectiveness.
• Apply extensive knowledge of Supplier, Procurement, Vendor, and Management (SPVM) protocols, policies, and procedures to ensure compliance and accuracy in activities.
• Skilled in negotiation and conflict resolution.
• Ability to read and comprehend legal contracting language, including redlining and negotiating contract terms and conditions.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, meet deadlines and work under pressure, while maintaining attention to detail and accuracy.

Bonus if you have

• Relevant certifications (e.g., Certified Professional in Supplier Diversity, Certified Professional in Supply Management) preferred.

Benefits & Perks

• Base pay is only one component of your competitive Total Rewards package:
  • Incentive pay program (EPIP)
  • Health/Vision/Dental insurance
  • 6 weeks paid parental leave for new mothers and fathers
  • Fertility/Adoption assistance
  • 2 weeks paid caregiver leave
  • 5% 401(k) plan matching
  • Tuition reimbursement
  • Health & fitness benefits, discounts and resources

Posting Close Date

Pay Rate Type
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