Sr. Vendor Manager

The Sr. Vendor Manager (SVM) is accountable for the evaluation, integration, oversight, and performance of all vendors that support Alimentiv’s clinical services, including a wide array of central lab vendors, central/local drug depots, and goods and technology vendors that support end-to-end clinical trial management.  In consultation with Quality Assurance (QA) and Senior Leadership, the SVM integrates new vendors into the clinical services’ portfolio by defining contractual requirements and performance expectations, overseeing timelines, budgets, adherence to service level agreements, and other risk management activities. The SVM coordinates with assigned Vendor Leads (VLs) who serve as primary vendor contact and channel for effective day-to-day vendor oversight and communication, and/or acts as the Vendor Lead, as required.

• Develop and/or support the development of vendor requirements.
• Lead vendor search activities.
• Provide support and oversight to VL’s in managing new and existing vendor relationships.
• Maintain an active understanding of new trends in the vendor landscape as it applies to clinical research service delivery.
• Track vendor capabilities/service offerings, costs, competitors.
• Collaborate with QA on vendor assessments.
• Collaborate with BD to solicit vendor bids and define and review vendor costing for proposals.
• Work with Legal to ensure specifications are in line with the bid request.
• Work with Legal to review, amend and negotiate Master Service Agreements and project orders.

• Promote a ‘One-Team’ Philosophy with Study Teams, Vendor Leads and Vendors.
• Participate, as required, in project meetings with sponsors to provide status updates on mitigation strategies, collect feedback and resolve conflicts to enable adherence to vendor service level agreements.
• Cost management - review agreements and change orders to ensure best value for services.
• Risk management - collaborate with QA and Project Managers (PM) on vendor risk assessments and risk mitigation plans.
• Compliance – ensure currency of audits and Corrective Action Preventative Action (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, periodic after-action reviews and collect, collate and communicate lessons learned to stakeholders.
• Change Management – e.g., process, technology, people, changes to new vendors – lead the effective implementation of improvements that minimize negative impact to vendor/Alimentiv/sponsor service level agreements.

• 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 all internal stakeholders and prepare/present/implement solutions to outsourcing issues or requirements.
• Coordinate processes and methods to improve vendor activities.

• Collaborate closely with a broad internal stakeholder group including 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 (when applicable).

• In consultation with the Line Manager, identify Vendor Leads for significant vendors.
• Provide feedback and coaching to Vendor Leads and provide input into performance review of Vendor Leads.
• Work with the relevant functional heads to identify Vendor Leads to act as the primary vendor contact and to manage the day-to-day interactions (as needed).
• Deliver training and support to assigned Vendor Leads.
• Provide regular vendor management update reports.
• Review and assess sponsor requests and business needs and work with vendors to ensure the sponsor’s needs are being met, as appropriate.
• Prioritize and evaluate project and/or vendor team issues and manage the implementation of the agreed upon solution.

• Minimum of a Post-graduate degree or undergraduate degree with professional certification(s) Level and 4-6 years related experience +substantial on-going job-related training.
• 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 the following skills: 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 continually foster teamwork. 

• Home-based