Director, Technology (Vendor Management)

Job Description

About the Team

Within WSI Tech, we strive for a culture of "experts leading experts". The Vendor Management Office (VMO) is a critical pillar of the Technology organization, and we are looking for a strong, hands-on leader to drive and cultivate vendor partnerships and oversee WSI’s technology procurement, contracts management, and labor management functions.

About The Role

The Director of Technology Vendor Management will oversee the strategic direction, planning, and execution of the vendor management office and play a key role in driving operational excellence, cost optimization, and risk mitigation through effective vendor management practices. This position is instrumental to the execution of our strategic vendor management and delivery strategy.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coach a high performing vendor management and procurement team. Provide leadership and reset the strategic direction of the VMO team in alignment with best practices and industry standards around technology vendor management and procurement.
• Establish and drive procurement best practices, including processes, tools, templates and systems for use in vendor management.
• Define vendor evaluation criteria and lead the evaluation and selection of vendors through RFX negotiations and contracting.
• Monitor vendor performance and conduct regular vendor performance reviews to identify areas of improvement and ensure adherence to contractual obligations and WSI standards.
• Manage, build and effectively leverage vendor relationships. Partner with technology leaders to lead contract negotiations with strategic suppliers and ensure compliance of negotiated agreements to policies and practices.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for vendor communications, escalations, and dispute resolution.
• Manage the communication process with vendors, including what information should be communicated, when and by whom, to ensure that appropriate leverage is preserved. Lead the Quarterly Business Review (QBR) process for all strategic vendors.
• Provide oversight to vendor audits where required; arrange and direct departmental activities and schedules (often in cooperation with asset management teams where they exist).
• Review, draft, redline, and negotiate a variety of technology-related agreements, including MSA's, SOW's, POC's, NDAs, order forms, amendments, etc. Tight coordination with Legal, Finance, Accounting, Procurement, Tech management and vendors required.
  
  
  

Criteria

• Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, Business Administration, or a related field or equivalent work experience. Masters degree preferred.
• Minimum 12+ years of relevant experience in technology vendor management, procurement, or sourcing, with at least 5 years in a leadership/management role.
• Deep, relevant experience in negotiating SaaS, cloud, software, hardware, maintenance, labor and service contracts, and a thorough understanding of commercial terms and contracting.
• Strong leadership and management skills, with the ability to lead and inspire cross-functional teams and to bring passion and a winning attitude to your team and the workplace.
• Relationship-building skills that will facilitate positive vendor behaviors, establish healthy new engagements and deepen existing engagements.
• Resourceful self-starter with excellent problem-solving capabilities, judgment, negotiation skills, communication (written and verbal) and interpersonal skills.
• Proven ability to meet the needs of a fast-paced technology company, managing high-volume workloads, multiple stakeholder demands and ever-shifting priorities all while instilling confidence in your team and business partners.
• Strong attention to detail and highly organized.
• Advanced skills in business applications such as MS Office including Excel, Word and PowerPoint, Service Now, Adobe e-Sign, One Trust and other contract management tools.
• Ability to perform work onsite in the San Francisco office full-time pending state, local, and Company return-to-work guidance during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
  
  
  

We believe in People First

We firmly believe that working in a culture focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion spurs innovation, creates healthy and high-performing teams, and delivers superior customer experiences. Our DEI initiatives prompt associate participation and engagement, aligning with our core vision to reflect the communities where we do business and put people first.

Benefits Just For You

Depending on your position and your location, here are a few highlights of what you might be eligible for:

• A generous discount on all Williams-Sonoma, Inc. brands
• A 401(k) plan and other investment opportunities
• Paid vacations, holidays, and time off to volunteer
• Health benefits, dental and vision insurance, including same-sex domestic partner benefits
• Tax-free commuter benefits
• A wellness program that supports your physical, financial and emotional health
  
  
  

Your Journey in Continued Learning

• In-person and online learning opportunities through WSI University
• Cross-brand and cross-function career opportunities
• Resources for self-development
• Advisor (Mentor) program
• Career development workshops and learning programs
• Speaker series
  
  
  

WSI will not commence an immigration case or "sponsor" an individual for this position at this time (for example, H-1B or other employment-based immigration).

Williams-Sonoma, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Williams-Sonoma, Inc. will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, or other applicable state or local laws and ordinances.

The expected starting pay rate for this position is $195,000 - $215,000. Applicable pay ranges may differ across markets. Actual pay will be determined based on experience and other job-related factors permitted by law. In addition to competitive pay, compensation may include a variety of other components like benefits, paid time off, merit, and bonus opportunities.

About Us

Our Company

Founded in 1956, Williams-Sonoma, Inc. is the premier specialty retailer of high-quality products for the kitchen and home in the United States. Our family of brands are Williams Sonoma, Williams Sonoma Home, Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn teen, pottery barn kids, Rejuvenation, Mark & Graham, west elm, or Outward. These brands are among the best known and most respected in the industry. We offer beautifully-designed, stylish and functional products for every area of the home, including the kitchen, living room, bedroom, home office, closet, laundry room and even outdoor spaces. We've seen some big changes since our first brick-and-mortar store opened more than half of a century ago. What hasn't changed is our passion for high-quality products, functional design, outstanding customer service, and enhancing the lives of our customers and the communities where we operate. Today, we're a multi-brand, multi-channel, global enterprise supported by state-of-the-art technology and some of the most talented teams in retailing - and we're always looking for new energy and ideas.