Vendor Manager

Overview

The Vendor Manager (VM) is accountable for the evaluation, integration, oversight, and performance of vendors selected for Alimentiv clinical research and medical imaging services, from vendor identification to closeout. The VM defines contractual requirements and performance expectations, oversees timelines, budgets, and risk management activities, documents and ensures the implementation of Alimentiv standard processes and key performance measures, and reviews documentation to support adherence to vendor service level agreements. The VM provides support to assigned Vendor Leads (VLs) who serve as the primary vendor contact and channel for day-to-day vendor oversight and communication, and/or acts as the Vendor Lead, as required.

Vendor Selection

• Lead vendor search activities and maintain an ongoing understanding of new trends in the vendor landscape as it applies to clinical research or medical imaging service delivery
• Track vendor capabilities/service offerings and competitors
• Manage new and existing vendor relationships
• Collaborate with QA on vendor assessments
• Collaborate with BD to solicit vendor bids and define vendor costing for proposals
• Work with Contracts to ensure specifications are in line with the bid request
• Work with Legal to review, amend and negotiate Master Service Agreements
• Designate a Vendor Lead for a specific vendor (if applicable) and ensure that the VL and the vendor have been notified of the assignment
• Promote a ‘One-Team’ Philosophy with Study Teams, Vendor Leads and Vendors

Vendor Oversight

• Designate a Vendor Lead for a specific vendor (if applicable) and ensure that the VL and the vendor have been notified of the assignment
• Promote a ‘One-Team’ Philosophy with Study Teams, Vendor Leads and Vendors
• Participate, as required, in project meetings with sponsors to provide status updates and collect feedback that enable adherence to vendor service level agreements
• Cost management (drive value delivery) - review agreements and change orders to ensure best value for services
• Risk management - collaborate with QA and PMs on vendor risk assessments and risk mitigation plans
• Compliance - ensure currency of audits and CAPA management related to vendors
• Communication & collaboration - set expectations and ensure appropriate communication channels are established and operating that optimize mutual success
• Issue Management - troubleshoot all vendor problems and ensure mechanisms are in place for efficient escalation and effective resolution
• Performance management - establish vendor key performance measures and monitor vendor performance
• Continuous Improvement - conduct regular after-action reviews and communicate lessons learned to stakeholders
• Change Management - lead the effective implementation of improvements that minimize negative impact to vendor/Alimentiv/sponsor service level agreements

Vendor Process Management

• Develop and maintain a current vendor list
• Document, track, measure, report and evaluate vendor performance with respect to relevant guidelines and SOPs
• Ensure ability to adapt process to remain aligned with different sponsor needs and priorities
• Identify improvement areas in collaboration with internal stakeholders and prepare/present/implement solutions to outsourcing issues or requirements
• Coordinate processes and methods to improve vendor activities

Vendor Lead and Internal Stakeholder Support

• Collaborate with clinical research, medical imaging, medical research and development, business development, contracts, and quality assurance to ensure a coordinated environment in support of all vendor-related activities
• Define and communicate Vendor Lead capability requirements (if applicable)
• Identify Vendor Leads to act as the primary vendor contact and manage day-to-day interactions as needed
• Deliver training and support to assigned Vendor Leads
• Provide regular vendor management update reports
• Review and assess internal customer requests and business needs; prioritize and implement as feasible

Qualifications

• Minimum of a post-secondary certificate/diploma + 4-6 years of related experience
• Direct vendor or project management experience in a CRO, Biotech or Pharma organization preferred
• Clinical trial experience and experience overseeing vendor performance and risk management scenarios preferred
• Financial and contractual management of vendors experienced preferred
• The successful candidate must exhibit: self-motivation with strong communication skills and a commitment to achieving positive results; strong attention to detail and keenness to understand the importance of building collaborative relationships to achieve results; ability to engage in continuous learning and self-development; ability to foster teamwork

Working Conditions

• Home-based

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.