Senior Manager of Procurement and Vendor Operations

Who are we?

Our mission is to scale intelligence to serve humanity. We’re training and deploying frontier models for developers and enterprises who are building AI systems to power magical experiences like content generation, semantic search, RAG, and agents. We believe that our work is instrumental to the widespread adoption of AI.

We obsess over what we build. Each one of us is responsible for contributing to increasing the capabilities of our models and the value they drive for our customers. We like to work hard and move fast to do what’s best for our customers.

Cohere is a team of researchers, engineers, designers, and more, who are passionate about their craft. Each person is one of the best in the world at what they do. We believe that a diverse range of perspectives is a requirement for building great products.

Join us on our mission and shape the future!

Why this role?

We are looking for a detail-oriented and tenured Procurement and Vendor Operations manager with experience in startup environments, and proficiency in process management. In this role, you will be responsible for managing and optimizing all aspects of vendor operations, including relationships, performance, and strategy. The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of negotiation tactics and key contract terms, plus exceptional analytical skills and the ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with strong teamwork skills.

• Develop and implement strategies to optimize vendor performance and achieve company goals
• Build and maintain strong relationships with vendors, negotiating contracts and resolving issues
• Analyze data and trends to identify areas for improvement and develop action plans
• Ensure timely and accurate processing of all vendor-related transactions
• Monitor vendor performance and conduct regular reviews to ensure compliance with contracts and SLAs
• Collaborate with internal teams, such as finance, security/IT, and legal, to ensure smooth vendor onboarding and management
• Stay up-to-date on industry trends and best practices, identifying opportunities to improve vendor operations
• Participate in special projects and initiatives as needed, including system upgrades and process improvements
• Drive budget vs. actual discussion for areas of the business with large vendor & contractor spend

• Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field
• Minimum of 10 years of relevant experience
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a high level of attention to detail
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment

• Experience in the SaaS and technology industry
• MBA or advanced degree in finance, business administration, negotiations, operations

If some of the above doesn’t line up perfectly with your experience, we still encourage you to apply! If you consider yourself a thoughtful worker, a lifelong learner, and a kind and playful team member, Cohere is the place for you.

We value and celebrate diversity and strive to create an inclusive work environment for all. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and are committed to providing equal opportunities. Should you require any accommodations during the recruitment process, please submit an Accommodations Request Form, and we will work together to meet your needs.

Our Perks:

🤝 An open and inclusive culture and work environment 

🧑‍💻 Work closely with a team on the cutting edge of AI research 

🍽 Weekly lunch stipend, in-office lunches & snacks

🦷 Full health and dental benefits, including a separate budget to take care of your mental health 

🐣 100% Parental Leave top-up for 6 months for employees based in Canada, the US, and the UK

🎨 Personal enrichment benefits towards arts and culture, fitness and well-being, quality time, and workspace improvement

🏙 Remote-flexible, offices in Toronto, New York, San Francisco and London and co-working stipend

✈️ 6 weeks of vacation

Note: This post is co-authored by both Cohere humans and Cohere technology.