Head of Vendor Management

Overview The Head of Vendor Management is responsible for the strategic leadership, optimization, and evolution of Translate.One's global vendor ecosystem. This role goes beyond day-to-day resource acquisition and focuses on building a sustainable, engaged, cost-effective, and future-ready supply chain that supports the company's growth and margin objectives. This position plays a critical role in shaping how linguists, editors, and specialist vendors partner with Translate.One—driving innovation, loyalty, productivity, and mutual value creation. The Head of Vendor Management is expected to operate proactively at a strategic level, generating initiatives that reduce cost, improve quality, increase capacity reliability, and strengthen vendor engagement. Reports to: VP of Operations Key Responsibilities: Strategic Vendor Leadership Define and execute a global vendor management strategy aligned with Translate.One's commercial goals, AI roadmap, and margin targets. Actively identify and propose innovative vendor engagement models, including: Retainer-based or capacity-commitment agreements Preferred vendor programs Long-term partnerships tied to rate stability and availability Serve as a strategic advisor to senior leadership on supply-chain risks, opportunities, and market trends. Cost Optimization & Commercial Impact Proactively drive cost-reduction initiatives without compromising quality or scalability. Establish clear rate strategies by language, vertical, and service type. Monitor vendor cost trends Improve gross margin performance Identify underperforming or high-risk cost areas Introduce data-driven decision-making around vendor pricing, productivity, and ROI. Vendor Engagement & Ecosystem Development Build strong, trust-based relationships with key vendors and linguists. Develop programs that create buy-in and loyalty across the supply chain, such as: AI and MT-post-editing enablement initiatives Training pathways to transition translators into editors/reviewers Clear progression models and quality recognition frameworks Position Translate.One as a preferred partner, not just a buyer of services. Innovation, AI & Future Readiness Lead vendor transformation initiatives aligned with AI adoption, including: Upskilling linguists for AI-assisted workflows Supporting the shift from pure translation to editing and quality oversight roles Collaborate with the Product team to ensure vendors are prepared for evolving tools, platforms, and workflows. Actively benchmark competitors and industry leaders to introduce best-in-class vendor programs. Operational Oversight & Performance Management Oversee vendor onboarding, qualification, and lifecycle management. Define and monitor vendor KPIs, including: Quality performance Turnaround times Cost efficiency Engagement and retention Address performance issues proactively and restructure vendor pools as needed. Reporting, Insights & Executive Communication Establish robust reporting and analytics for vendor performance and cost management. Provide regular, insight-driven reports to senior leadership covering: Vendor capacity and risk Cost trends and savings initiatives Progress on strategic programs Move beyond activity reporting to strategic insight and recommendations. Cross-Functional Collaboration Work closely with Operations to ensure seamless delivery and scalability. Partner with Product on workflow and tooling changes that impact vendors. Support Sales by ensuring vendor capabilities align with customer promises and vertical requirements. Collaborate with Quality to maintain and continuously improve linguistic standards. Qualifications: Proven experience managing a team of more than 6 vendor managers Proven experience leading vendor management, supply chain, or resource management in localization, language services, or a related services industry. Demonstrated ability to operate at a strategic and commercial level, not purely operational. Strong understanding of: Localization workflows AI-enabled translation models MT post-editing and evolving linguist roles Strong communications skills Excellent stakeholder management and executive communication skills. Experience guiding conversations and influencing outcomes in a way that encourages collaboration, alignment, and shared ownership. Experience driving cost-reduction and margin-improvement initiatives. Strong analytical and reporting capability. Bachelor's degree required. Key Competencies: Strategic Thinking & Initiative Ownership Commercial Acumen & Cost Management Vendor Relationship & Ecosystem Building Innovation & Change Leadership Data-Driven Decision MakingCross-Functional Collaboration Executive-Level Communication #J-18808-Ljbffr