Vendor Manager (Fixed Income)

Job Description Summary

This role is responsible for managing a large portfolio of vendors (200+) and contracts, leading negotiations, and ensuring vendors deliver against performance, cost, and risk expectations. The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced environment with competing priorities and brings a strong balance of commercial acumen, risk awareness, and relationship management.

Job Description

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Manage a portfolio of vendor contracts and service-level agreements (SLAs), including negotiation, execution, and ongoing oversight
• Lead complex contract negotiations, including pricing, terms, and performance standards, ensuring alignment to business needs and risk considerations
• Monitor vendor performance, ensuring service delivery meets contractual obligations and business expectations; proactively address issues and drive remediation
• Identify, assess, and manage vendor-related risks, escalating concerns as appropriate
• Partner closely with business stakeholders to understand evolving needs, prioritize initiatives, and deliver solutions on time
• Manage departmental budgets related to vendor spend, including forecasting, tracking, and cost optimization opportunities
• Coordinate the end-to-end vendor lifecycle, from vendor selection and onboarding through payment and ongoing management
• Develop and deliver clear, tailored communications and reporting for stakeholders across varying levels of the organization
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously in a dynamic environment with shifting priorities
• Meet with suitable vendors to assess their products, inquire about their services, negotiate pricing, and communicate any product or service-related concerns.
• Conduct research on available vendors to determine which vendors offer the best pricing and product quality.

Knowledge of

• Financial acumen, including budgeting, forecasting, and cost control
• Financial markets and products
• Contract law

Skill in

• Strong contract negotiation skills with experience managing high-volume vendor relationships
• Proven experience administering and monitoring vendor services against contractual agreements Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail
• Excellent organizational and time management skills;
• Effective written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to tailor messaging to different audiences
• Ability to:
  • Balance commercial objectives with risk management considerations influence and build consensus across stakeholders with differing priorities
  • Deliver on tight deadlines
  • Balance conflicting resource and priority demands
  • Partner with other functional areas to accomplish objectives
  • Facilitate meetings, ensuring that all viewpoints, ideas and problems are addressed.
  • Incorporate needs, wants and goals from different business unit perspectives into operational processes
  • Work independently as well as collaboratively within a team environment
  • The ability to multitask effectively
  • Evaluate products and services to continually drive quality of customer experience

Education

Bachelor’s: Business Administration (Required)

Work Experience

General Experience - 6 to 10 years

Certifications

Travel

Workstyle

Resident

The total compensation for this position includes base salary or wages, and may include components such as additional compensation (cash or equity), discretionary bonuses, or commissions. This position is eligible for a benefits package that may include medical, dental, and vision; life insurance; critical illness insurance and accident insurance; disability benefits; retirement savings; paid time off (including vacation, holidays, and sick leave); and parental leave.  Eligibility for benefits and specific offerings may vary based on position and employment status. To view more details of the benefits offered, visit Myrjbenefits.com.

At Raymond James our associates use five guiding behaviors (Develop, Collaborate, Decide, Deliver, Improve) to deliver on the firm's core values of client-first, integrity, independence and a conservative, long-term view. 

We expect our associates at all levels to:
•  Grow professionally and inspire others to do the same
•  Work with and through others to achieve desired outcomes
•  Make prompt, pragmatic choices and act with the client in mind
•  Take ownership and hold themselves and others accountable for delivering results that matter
•  Contribute to the continuous evolution of the firm

At Raymond James – as part of our people-first culture, we honor, value, and respect the uniqueness, experiences, and backgrounds of all of our Associates.  When associates bring their best authentic selves, our organization, clients, and communities thrive. The Company is an equal opportunity employer and makes all employment decisions on the basis of merit and business needs.