Vendor Manager, Global Telecom Expenses Management & Supplier Relationships
Reports To: Director, Global Procurement & Supplier Management
Location: Canada with global responsibilities
Role Overview
Telus is seeking an experienced Vendor Manager to lead our global telecom expenses management and supplier relationship strategy. This role is critical to optimizing our international expansion efforts, ensuring cost efficiency, managing vendor risk, and building sustainable supplier partnerships across multiple jurisdictions. In this position, you will manage vendor relationships with telecommunications service providers, and technology partners across North America, LATAM, APAC, EMEA, and emerging markets. You will oversee contract negotiations, performance management, and cost optimization initiatives while ensuring compliance with Telus procurement policies and international regulations.
Key Responsibilities:
Strategic Vendor Management (35%) ● Develop and execute global vendor strategy aligned with Telus international expansion roadmap ● Identify, evaluate, and onboard new telecom service providers ● Conduct vendor due diligence including financial stability, regulatory compliance, and capability assessments ● Build long-term strategic partnerships with key vendors to drive innovation and cost efficiency ● Manage vendor scorecards and performance metrics across service level, quality, delivery, and cost dimensions ● Lead quarterly business reviews with strategic vendors; escalate performance issues and drive improvement plans Contract Negotiation & Management (30%) ● Negotiate master service agreements, purchase agreements, and service level agreements with global suppliers ● Ensure contracts include favorable payment terms, prices, escalation clauses, liability protections, and dispute resolution mechanisms ● Manage contract lifecycle from procurement to renewal or termination ● Navigate multi-jurisdictional contract requirements (tax implications, currency, local regulations, data protection) ● Coordinate with Legal and Finance teams on contract terms, risk allocation, and compliance requirements ● Maintain centralized contract repository with version control and compliance tracking
Global Expenses Management (25%) ● Monitor and control telecom capital and operational expenses across international markets ● Identify cost reduction opportunities through vendor consolidation, renegotiation, and market benchmarking ● Implement spend visibility tools and analytics to track vendor expenses by category, region, and cost center ● Develop and manage vendor budgets; provide variance analysis and cost forecasting ● Lead procurement initiatives for major capex projects (network equipment, infrastructure deployment, technology upgrades) ● Optimize pricing through volume leverage, multi-year agreements, and competitive bidding processes ● Prepare spend reports and recommendations for senior leadership Supplier Relationship Management (10%) ● Serve as primary point of contact for key strategic vendors ● Manage vendor escalations and resolve disputes in a timely and professional manner ● Foster collaborative relationships to support business objectives and mutual growth ● Represent Telus at industry forums, vendor conferences, and trade shows ● Communicate vendor requirements, roadmap changes, and performance expectations clearly and consistently ● Build and maintain vendor communication protocols aligned with governance standards
Required Qualifications
● Education: Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Engineering, or related field
● Experience: ● Minimum 7 years in vendor management, procurement roles ● Minimum 5 years managing global vendors and cross-border sourcing ● Demonstrated experience in telecom, network infrastructure, or related technology industry ● Proven track record managing vendor relationships with multiple international suppliers
● Technical Skills: ● Advanced proficiency in procurement systems (SAP, Ariba, or equivalent) ● Strong financial acumen (P&L management, cost analysis, budgeting) ● Fluency in contract management and negotiation ● Proficiency in vendor scorecard and spend analysis tools ● Intermediate to advanced Excel and business intelligence tools ● Competencies: ● Exceptional negotiation and relationship management skills ● Strategic thinking with ability to align vendor strategy to business objectives ● Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities ● Excellent communication and stakeholder management ● Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities ● Cultural awareness and ability to work effectively across geographies and time zones
● Compliance: ● Strong understanding of international trade regulations, tariffs, and compliance requirements ● Knowledge of data protection and cybersecurity requirements in telecom (GDPR, local regulations) ● Familiarity with anti-corruption laws (FCPA, Bribery Act) and ethical procurement practices
Preferred Qualifications ● Previous experience in international expansion or geographic market entry ● Experience with strategic cost reduction programs ($10M+ impact)
Key Performance Indicators (Success Metrics)
Vendor Performance: Maintain 95%+ vendor scorecard compliance; reduce on-time delivery issues by 20% YoY ● Cost Management: Achieve 8-12% annual cost reduction targets through negotiations and optimization ● Contract Compliance: 100% contract compliance with Telus policy and regulatory requirements; zero compliance breaches ● Spend Visibility: Maintain 95%+ spend visibility in procurement systems; improve data accuracy for financial reporting ● Supplier Retention: Maintain strategic vendor relationships; achieve 90%+ renewal rate for key contracts ● Project Delivery: Support market entry timelines; deliver vendor requirements within 95% on-time, on-budget metrics ● Risk Management: Identify and mitigate vendor risks proactively; resolve escalations within 30 days
MUST HAVES:
Global Procurement Experience: 5+ years in vendor management/procurement, with at least 5 years specifically managing cross-border international suppliers.
Telecom Industry Domain Knowledge: Direct, proven experience in the telecommunications, network infrastructure, or related technology sectors.
End-to-End Contract Negotiation: Strong background negotiating complex international agreements (MSAs, SLAs) while navigating multi-jurisdictional regulations and data compliance (e.g., GDPR).
Financial & Expense Optimization: Robust financial acumen with experience managing telecom Capex/Opex, budgeting, and utilizing procurement systems like SAP or Ariba.
Supplier Relationship Management: Exceptional relationship building skills to manage vendor scorecards, lead quarterly business reviews, and resolve high-level disputes across global time zones.