Job Objective: The Vendor Manager is responsible for managing WIOCC’s strategic supplier ecosystem to support delivery of network programmes, customer projects and operational activities. This includes evaluating and onboarding service providers, negotiating commercial agreements, monitoring performance against SLAs, resolving delivery obstacles and driving supplier improvements. The role ensures that all vendors deliver on time, within budget and at the required quality standard. By controlling vendor performance, the Vendor Manager enables revenue acceleration, improved customer experience and reduced delivery risk.
Reporting Line: Director Projects, Procurement and Logistics
Key Duties and Responsibilities
Vendor Strategy and Planning
- Develop and implement the vendor management strategy aligned to business plans
- Identify supplier gaps to match future expansion (network build, POP expansion, fibre access projects)
- Maintain a vendor capacity matrix per region
- Work with PMO to forecast workload and match vendor capacity pipeline to delivery plans
- Work with Hyperscale's Engagement Director to align on the commercial and operation implications of back-to-back deal involving Hyperscale's
Vendor Selection, Sourcing and Onboarding
- Support RFP/RFQ preparation, issuance, evaluation, and vendor shortlisting
- Lead commercial and delivery-related negotiations with shortlisted suppliers
- Manage vendor due diligence checks covering: financial stability, track record and capability, HSSE policies, resource availability & equipment
- Facilitate contract award and onboarding into WIOCC systems
Contracting, Compliance and SLA Governance
- Draft, negotiate and execute supplier contracts with Procurement and Legal oversight
- Ensure SLA terms reflect: delivery timelines, downtime guarantees, workmanship standards, penalties for delay or non-performance
- Monitor adherence to contractual obligations and maintain renewal/expiry calendars
- Implement systematic compliance audits and remedial plans
Vendor Performance Management
- Develop vendor scorecards with KPIs including On-time delivery, Quality pass rates, Rework/defect frequency, Responsiveness and communication, Safety compliance
- Run monthly/quarterly performance reviews with each vendor
- Track and escalate underperformance with corrective action plans
- Recommend vendor expansion or decommissioning based on performance
- Work with Service Management and Network Operations and the Hyperscale's Engagement Director
Project Delivery Support
- Serve as primary vendor escalation point for PMO, Engineering and Operations
- Resolve delays in mobilization, material delivery, site access, installation, testing and invoicing
- Ensure rapid communication to keep projects moving
- Maintain accurate vendor delivery status reporting
Cost Control and Value Optimization
- Benchmark vendor pricing across countries/vendors to ensure competitiveness
- Track spend vs budget by vendor and project category
- Identify opportunities for: aggregated procurement, volume discounts, standard price lists, cost avoidance through planning
- Support Finance with accruals and cost forecasting
- Work with Engineering and Hyperscale Engagement Director to track spending vs budget by vendor and project category
Risk Management and Issue Escalation
- Identify delivery bottlenecks and future risks per vendor
- Maintain a vendor risk register and mitigation plans
- Manage escalation workflows across vendor management, PMO, Engineering, Legal
- Resolve disputes related to delays, quality issues or scope deviation
Relationship and Stakeholder Management
- Maintain strong working relationships with vendor leadership and operations teams
- Engage cross-functional stakeholders (Procurement, PMO, Engineering, Network Ops, Logistics, Finance, Service Management and Hyperscale's Engagement Director)
- Build strong internal partnerships to meet delivery and cost targets
- Represent WIOCC professionally in vendor forums and negotiation sessions
Required Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree: Supply Chain, Engineering, Business Administration or similar
- Minimum 5–7 years in: Vendor management, Supply chain, technical project delivery
- Telecom/Pan-African infrastructure experience preferred
- Demonstrated ability to lead contract and commercial negotiations
- Strong risk, compliance and SLA administration knowledge
Skills and Competencies:
Technical
- Contract negotiation and legal understanding
- Vendor management methodologies
- Telecom infrastructure knowledge (DWDM, IP, fibre build, POP power and civil works)
- ERP experience (NetSuite ideal)
- PO management, invoicing, cost tracking
Behavioral
- Time-sensitive problem solving
- Strong influencing and escalation skills
- Relationship-building across cultures and countries
- Persuasive communication and report writing
- Ability to prioritise workload across multiple vendors simultaneously
- Calm under pressure, especially when managing delays
Attributes
- Client focused, relationship builder
- Integrity, honest with highest ethical standards
- Boundless, passionate, and flexible
- Personal excellence, accuracy, and attention to detail
- Collaborative, achieve results through teamwork and partnerships
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