IT Vendor Management Specialist

As this is a hybrid role, working out of our Creative Studios in Westlake, Ohio, we will focus on candidates currently residing in Northeast Ohio. American Greetings is looking for an organized and detail-oriented IT Vendor & Strategic Sourcing Specialist to support procurement and vendor management activities across our technology categories. This role is responsible for coordinating vendor onboarding, contract renewals, sourcing events, and compliance tracking in collaboration with IT, finance, legal, and internal stakeholders. You will contribute to cost savings initiatives, assist with vendor performance tracking, and help maintain best practices in IT sourcing and supplier governance. In order to be considered for this role, you must have direct experience with reviewing vendor contracts, contract renewals, and vendor sourcing.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

Vendor Management Support Assist with onboarding new IT vendors and ensuring all documentation and compliance requirements are met. Monitor contract expiration dates and support timely renewals or termination processes. Maintain vendor scorecards and collect performance metrics to support service-level discussions. Help manage issue tracking, escalations, and resolution follow-ups under guidance from vendor leads. Facilitates the design, implementation, and management of vendor management process improvements. Sourcing & Procurement Coordination Lead the execution of sourcing activities (e.g., RFQs, RFPs, supplier analysis, negotiations, renewals) for IT-related purchases. Collect and consolidate pricing, service details, and commercial terms for evaluation and comparison. Collaborate with IT and business stakeholders to understand procurement requirements and timelines. Prepare documentation and assist with purchase requisition processes. Contract & Compliance Administration Maintain organized records of vendor contracts, and supporting documents in procurement systems. Ensure contracts include appropriate cybersecurity, privacy, and risk language in collaboration with IT Technical and data security, and legal. Track vendor compliance with internal policies, license management and audit readiness requirements. Review and monitor vendor invoices to ensure appropriateness. Cross-Functional Collaboration Partner with IT teams on procurement needs including hardware, software, SaaS, network and services. Support finance and procurement leadership in reporting, budgeting, and tracking savings initiatives. Educate business partners on procurement procedures and help facilitate purchasing workflows.

Experience Required:

Required Length & Type of Experience:

3+ years of experience in IT procurement, vendor coordination, or purchasing support. Experience working with contracts, vendor communications, or procurement systems is preferred. Experience supporting strategic sourcing or vendor evaluations. Experience working in a role that requires influencing across different levels in the organization (internal and vendors). Experience with various software licensing models (perpetual, subscription, SaaS, etc.) and related support and professional services. Experience working with VARs. Familiarity with asset management and software licensing audits

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

Ability to develop contracts and work with legal team as needed to negotiation with vendors Basic understanding of IT products and services (software, hardware, SaaS, cloud, network, etc.). Strong organizational and communication skills, with attention to detail. Familiarity with procurement processes and tools. Proficiency in Excel and Microsoft Office Suite; ability to generate reports and summaries. Creating vendor performance metrics/scorecards Excellent relationship building skills and aptitude for working collaboratively with cross-functional groups Demonstrated ability to effectively manage process improvement plans, implement programs and evaluate outcomes required Self-starter with high degree of drive, initiative, and follow through Must maintain a positive, partnering type approach with all stakeholders Demonstrates professionalism to support a culture of integrity Ability to work in a high activity/fast paced environment while managing the associated stress

Education Required:

Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, IT Management, or a related field. Career Site Category Corporate Jobs IT Vendor Management Specialist 3.7 3.7 out of 5 stars Westlake, OH • Hybrid work As this is a hybrid role, working out of our Creative Studios in Westlake, Ohio, we will focus on candidates currently residing in Northeast Ohio. American Greetings is looking for an organized and detail-oriented IT Vendor & Strategic Sourcing Specialist to support procurement and vendor management activities across our technology categories. This role is responsible for coordinating vendor onboarding, contract renewals, sourcing events, and compliance tracking in collaboration with IT, finance, legal, and internal stakeholders. You will contribute to cost savings initiatives, assist with vendor performance tracking, and help maintain best practices in IT sourcing and supplier governance. In order to be considered for this role, you must have direct experience with reviewing vendor contracts, contract renewals, and vendor sourcing.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

Vendor Management Support Assist with onboarding new IT vendors and ensuring all documentation and compliance requirements are met. Monitor contract expiration dates and support timely renewals or termination processes. Maintain vendor scorecards and collect performance metrics to support service-level discussions. Help manage issue tracking, escalations, and resolution follow-ups under guidance from vendor leads. Facilitates the design, implementation, and management of vendor management process improvements. Sourcing & Procurement Coordination Lead the execution of sourcing activities (e.g., RFQs, RFPs, supplier analysis, negotiations, renewals) for IT-related purchases. Collect and consolidate pricing, service details, and commercial terms for evaluation and comparison. Collaborate with IT and business stakeholders to understand procurement requirements and timelines. Prepare documentation and assist with purchase requisition processes. Contract & Compliance Administration Maintain organized records of vendor contracts, and supporting documents in procurement systems. Ensure contracts include appropriate cybersecurity, privacy, and risk language in collaboration with IT Technical and data security, and legal. Track vendor compliance with internal policies, license management and audit readiness requirements. Review and monitor vendor invoices to ensure appropriateness. Cross-Functional Collaboration Partner with IT teams on procurement needs including hardware, software, SaaS, network and services. Support finance and procurement leadership in reporting, budgeting, and tracking savings initiatives. Educate business partners on procurement procedures and help facilitate purchasing workflows.

Experience Required:

Required Length & Type of Experience:

3+ years of experience in IT procurement, vendor coordination, or purchasing support. Experience working with contracts, vendor communications, or procurement systems is preferred. Experience supporting strategic sourcing or vendor evaluations. Experience working in a role that requires influencing across different levels in the organization (internal and vendors). Experience with various software licensing models (perpetual, subscription, SaaS, etc.) and related support and professional services. Experience working with VARs. Familiarity with asset management and software licensing audits

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

Ability to develop contracts and work with legal team as needed to negotiation with vendors Basic understanding of IT products and services (software, hardware, SaaS, cloud, network, etc.). Strong organizational and communication skills, with attention to detail. Familiarity with procurement processes and tools. Proficiency in Excel and Microsoft Office Suite; ability to generate reports and summaries. Creating vendor performance metrics/scorecards Excellent relationship building skills and aptitude for working collaboratively with cross-functional groups Demonstrated ability to effectively manage process improvement plans, implement programs and evaluate outcomes required Self-starter with high degree of drive, initiative, and follow through Must maintain a positive, partnering type approach with all stakeholders Demonstrates professionalism to support a culture of integrity Ability to work in a high activity/fast paced environment while managing the associated stress

Education Required:

Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, IT Management, or a related field. Career Site Category Corporate Jobs