Head of IT Vendor Management (w/m)

Vendor Management plays a major role in GfK Group IT‘s interactions with the portfolio of suppliers of services, hardware, and software. The Head of IT Vendor Management is a global role and responsible for managing the IT vendor (suppliers) portfolio. There is also an operation element of the role in terms of escalation with suppliers and purchasing related elements.

The Head of IT Vendor Management will report to the Group CIO.

The Head of IT Vendor Management will coordinate and manage global IT purchasing for GfK Group. He or she will be responsible for the development of sourcing strategies with GfK business units.

The Head of IT Vendor Management needs to be aware of and understand emerging technologies and trends as well as be able to evaluate what competitors/ organizations are doing.

The Head of IT Vendor Management will ensure and facilitate communication between senior management, business units, vendors and IT teams driving economic gain.

The main tasks and responsibilities of the Head of IT Vendor Management are:

• Development of a three to five year strategy plan to manage portfolio of global suppliers
  
• Create and improve processes to facilitate day to day operations, contract management and the support of management decisions
  
• Relationship management with vendors
  
• Work closely with the Global Service Provision and IT Client Service teams to identify any service improvements required (towards external suppliers)
  
• Develop and manage RfP’s as required
  
• Foster an environment of continual service improvement from external vendors and within team
  
• Actively review vendor portfolios
  
• Close cooperation with the internal teams Portfolio Management and Financial Services
  
• Monitor and analyze trends in company spending and inventory control in order to make recommendations for the future, and to identify areas for possible savings
  

The ideal candidate will have the following education and business experience:

• College diploma or university degree, at least 10 years working experience in the fields of vendor management and IT procurement
  
• Consistently strong performance record as well as significant experience of managing a team
  
• Demonstrated ability to work cross culturally, to work independently, meet targets and establish and maintain professional relationships with international contracting
  
• Fluent in English, any additional languages are appreciated
  
• Strong operating and leadership skills
  
• High levels of energy, drive and courage
  
• High level of customer orientation
  
• Ability to make complex decisions
  
• Strong personal and interpersonal skills
  
• Ability to effectively work in global teams
  
• Proactive and flexible
  
• Structured and logical thinker to enable decision making
  
• Honest and frank about issues as well as successes
  
• Desire to succeed
  
• Cultural Empathy
  
• Resilient in the face of change

The Head of IT Vendor Management would need to command the following technical knowledge and skills:

• Technology awareness to understand vendor’s product portfolios and spot opportunities
  
• Good understanding of license and maintenance models
  
• Experience in vendor relationship management on enterprise level
  
• Ability to create a vision and communicate the vision to the team
  
• Excellent people management skills and experience of leading a team
  
• Excellent subject matter knowledge and experience
  
• Excellent vendor management and commercial skills
  
• Track record in supplier evaluation and negotiation
  
• Excellent understanding of the organization’s goals and objectives
  
• Project Management skills and experience
  
• Knowledge of the ITIL service management framework