Senior Vendor Manager
Job Description
Your Responsibilities:
Strategic IT Partner Ownership
- Own the Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) for a defined set of strategic IT services partners (e.g. cloud and infrastructure services, application services, managed services, development partners).
- Act as the counterpart to senior vendor leadership, driving long-term collaboration and continuous improvement.
- Contribute to define and steer partner strategies, including vendor positioning, consolidation and capability development.
Governance & Performance Management
- Design, run and continuously improve the vendor governance framework: - Operational reviews (service quality, incidents, delivery performance) - Tactical reviews (KPIs, SLAs, financials, demand outlook) - Strategic reviews (roadmaps, innovation, risk, transformation)
- Ensure transparent, data-driven performance management using KPIs, scorecards, and service reporting.
- Lead escalation management, conflict resolution and structured back-to-green plans when performance deviates.
Required key competencies and qualifications:
- 5+ years of professional experience in Vendor Management, IT Procurement, IT Service Management or a comparable role.
- Proven track record managing large, international, complex IT service providers in a global or enterprise environment.
- Extensive knowledge of IT service delivery models including managed services, time and materials (T&M) and outcome-based approaches. Certifications such as ITIL and SIAM along with practical experience in ServiceNow demonstrate a commitment to lifelong learning and maintaining knowledge.
- Strong experience with governance structures, SLAs, KPIs, and executive-level reviews.
- Ability to challenge vendors constructively and drive outcomes without formal authority.
Leadership & Mindset
- presence and confidence in interactions with executives—internally and externally.
- Structured, analytical and fact-based decision-maker.
- Comfortable navigating ambiguity, conflicts and high-stakes situations.
- Clear communicator who can translate complexity into actions.
Languages
- Fluent in English and German (both mandatory).
What we offer at METRO.digital?
- Hybrid and agile work: thrive in a flexible, multicultural environment.
At METRO.digital, we promote work-life balance through a hybrid working model. You’ll be part of self-organizing, multicultural teams that collaborate in an agile setup.
- People development: when you grow so do we!
We want you to become the best version of yourself with individual and company-wide programs and trainings for people development. Focused among other on development, leadership, appreciation ... it´s time to upskill your career.
- Support with individual solutions: we are people-caring!
We offer support whenever you need it - at every stage of your professional journey.
Want to know more about all our benefits? Discover more here.
Let´s connect soon. Apply for the role now!
Position grade within our career framework: Procurement Consultant Grade 4 (Md8).