Job Details

Department Summary
The Strategic Sourcing and Vendor Management department within the Information Technology department at Consumers Energy is a centralized function covering Strategic Sourcing, Managed Services, Staff Augmentation Management, Vendor Management and Onboarding/Offboarding of vendor resources. As a centralized function, the department drives supplier strategy, cost management, continuous improvement, innovation and performance with regard to the strategic vendors within the IT department.

Job Description/Responsibilities
The Vendor Management Senior Analyst is responsible for executing vendor management activities. The scope of vendor management includes: - Defines and manages supplier communications - Define and Execute Vendor Governance Framework and Executive Reviews - Define and Operationalize Performance Management and Relationship Management - Vendor Financial Management and Invoice Approvals - Define and Execute Vendor Issue Management - Develop Vendor Management Strategy and Framework - Develop and execute Vendor Risk Management - Develop Vendor Transition strategies and facilitate execution - Develop and Execute Vendor Satisfaction Surveys and Results - Define and Execute Service Improvement Plan Process - Manages Vendor Audits and Facilitate Issue Closure - Lead Managed Services Vendor Management - Identify and develop continuous improvement opportunities for all facets of vendor activities - Defines department vendor management education content and lead education activities - Leads development of vendor change management plans and content The Vendor Management Senior Analyst ensured vendors meet the strategic plan for vendor performance, following common processes and solutions while integrating performance solutions with common department processes. Further, the Vendor Management Senior Analyst identifies requirements for vendor/contract solutions and services and facilitates communication, governance, and escalation of critical issues for vendors. The Vendor Management Senior Analyst has a full understanding of IT strategies and manages the diversity of needs and prioritizes those needs based on the overall business strategy of Consumers Energy. The Vendor Management Senior Analyst mentors junior team members and leads improvement initiatives. Further responsibilities include the creation of work plans, status reports, analytical reports, proposal analysis, and RFP scorecard input and evaluation; these tasks may require significant collaboration with other teams. Key Responsibilities include: - Collaborate with IT team members, human resources, supply chain, and leadership to maintain scorecard and metrics on strategic sourcing, vendor relationships, and contracts - Develop strategic communications around service, process, performance, maturity, and technology - Management of supplier and partner relationships in domain and with whom hardware, software, consumable acquisitions occur - Identify avenues for continuous improvement for services within scope of responsibility, including new approaches and processes that would contribute both to improvements within department and to business growth/efficiency - Identification and escalation of critical issues and risks within this domain - Align objectives of team with those that support business objectives, ensures delivery of objectives - Collaborate with Strategic Sourcing to develop and maintain vendor risk scorecards - Collaborate with Supply Chain and Strategic Sourcing on contractual terms, conditions, technical language, requirements, negotiation and other contracting activities through execution and identify opportunities for vendor synergies/performance/cost reductions. - Maintain documentation of all existing contractual obligations. - Accountable for the integrity of key human resource processes including career development, salary reviews, sourcing approach Manage and develop performance of teams to support business needs and effect team member progression - Develop, track and publish reporting on Vendor Management Initiatives and Vendor Performance Status - Develop, Participate in and contribute to Vendor Governance Cadence and content - Maintain in-depth working knowledge of business and technology, remain current with emerging industry trends, and envision new capabilities to meet business needs

Requirements/Qualification
- 5+ years of experience in managing supplier relationships and large contracts - Bachelor*s degree in Business, Computer Science, Information Systems or other related field - IT and business/industry work experience, including experience in managing multiple, medium to large cross-functional teams or projects - Prior experience leading enterprise level contracts, vendor management, and/or sourcing - Self-directed within broad goals and strategic direction to satisfy organization objectives - Operates with significant autonomy and latitude in meeting business objectives and enacting change - Ability to set priorities, develop workflow processes and manage staff to team and individual goals - Understanding of benchmarking processes and process improvement techniques - Ability to lead a team of IT professionals, provide direct, complete, and "actionable" positive and corrective feedback to others - Diplomatic and customer service focused; ability to manage key stakeholders in positive, poised and effective manner - Good stakeholder relations and negotiation skills - Excellent communication skills, both written and oral - Must be self-motivated, must have an ability to work well in a geographically dispersed, virtual team environment, and must exhibit a positive and professional attitude The following skills and experience will set you apart from others: - Masters or other advanced degree, ideally in an IT or Business area - Energy industry background that includes a working knowledge of effectively mapping technology to business challenges Position will be filled at the appropriate salary grade based upon the skills, knowledge, and experience of the selected candidate Essential Functions Works closely with department managers, co-workers, and peers to define and analyze business and operational problems, process improvement opportunities and requirements; analyzes operational and business mandates and legal requirements; identifies and analyzes complex, ambiguous and/or conflicting business process issues; advises department leaders on technology related projects; explains technology and process options and assists managers in analysis and decision making; analyzes management information needs and recommends data and reporting processes; coordinates the development of department priorities and works within IT to align initiatives to these priorities; facilitates user meetings and joint development sessions. Develops and refines business models and relationship diagrams; evaluates methods of improving efficiency and cost effectiveness of business, technical and operational processes; works with users to reengineer work processes; analyzes functional business requirements and translates user expectations into detailed business requirements, specifications and success criteria; works with Information Systems to develop conceptual proposals for business process automation initiatives; recommends work process and/or operational changes to complement system functionalities; serves as an advocate for department needs with IT; stays abreast of developments in departmental processes to anticipate emerging technology needs. Participates in the development of statements of work for RFPs/RFIs; participates in evaluating vendor applications and solutions; coordinates department review of vendor deliverables for accuracy and completeness, ensuring that department needs and requirements