General Description
The Vendor Relationship Officer role (or VRO), is responsible for managing vendor relationships through the full life-cycle of the commercial relationship with Popular; including onboarding, development, monitoring and off-boarding, if required. This role helps to coordinate and understand vendor management activities across the enterprise. Additionally, the VRO will serve as the main liaison between Vendors, Popular’s Strategic Sourcing & Procurement Team (SS&P) and Popular’s Business Units who procure goods and services. VRO’s will also facilitate Ariba onboarding; perform vendor segmentation and support Engagement Owners in the monitoring and management of vendor performance. This position will report to the Vendor Management Program Lead.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Manage vendor relationships through the full life-cycle of commercial relationship with Popular
Coordinate vendor management activities across the bank
Serve as the main liaison between Vendors, the SS&P team and the Business Units Engagement Owners procuring goods and services
Facilitate Ariba registration and onboarding of vendors
Perform vendor segmentation according to defined criteria in vendor management program
Work closely with Vendor Risk team to develop vendor relationship model according to segmentation
Support Engagement Owners in the monitoring and management of vendor performance
Ensure vendor performance management is executed according to plan
Work closely with Category /Sourcing advisors, contract managers, vendor risk team and Legal and FORM groups to ensure appropriate actions are taken implemented to mitigate vendor risk
Ensure vendor compliance with all of Popular’s policies
Further develop relationships with key vendors; understand their capabilities, and identify opportunities to increase supplier effectiveness and ability to support critical activities for Popular
Gather performance feedback from Engagement Owners and provide performance feedback as needed
Identify and escalate persistent performance issues, facilitate development of improvement plans
Develop and manage vendor performance scorecards
Facilitate preparation and execution of strategic business reviews with key vendors
Execute and coordinate key vendor communications, support in the process of doing business with Popular, and manage vendor inquiries
Education
Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited university is required. Degree concentration in Finance, Accounting, Business Administration, Industrial Engineering or related field is preferred.
Experience
Experience interacting with vendors and/or managing 3rd party contracts, both strong pluses. Must be bilingual (English and Spanish) and be able to speak and write both languages fluently. At least 5 years of professional experience.
Other Qualifications
Knowledge of the nature of commercial relationships with vendors
Strong negotiation and conflict resolution abilities
Strong commercial analytical skills
Ability to work with procurement technology and processes
Ability to monitor compliance with policy, procedures, and processes
Contract Management- ability to resolve contract related issues
Ability to develop and manage vendor relationships
Understanding of Vendor Performance Management and scorecards
Leadership and people skills
Project management capabilities
Ability to establish strong relationships with business unit stakeholders and vendors
Understand and abide by business ethical standards
Very strong business writing and verbal communication (and presentation) skills; in both Spanish and English (strong must)
Confident presence - Viewed as an authority
Customer service oriented
Results oriented with sound decision making ability
Strong research skills
Popular Inc., is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Job Segment:
Compliance, Performance Management, Contract Manager, Legal, Human Resources
