Vendor Manager - Strategic Procurement & Vendor Management

Overview

Sprout is a global IT hardware retirement provider for hyperscaler and enterprise clients. We leverage a nationwide footprint (and international partner network) combined with proprietary software to enable efficient end-to-end IT asset disposition, with a focus on data-bearing devices from the client to the cloud. Sprout is headquartered in Charlotte, NC, with additional operations near Sacramento, Dallas, and Boston, and provides IT Asset Disposition, Certified Destruction, and Responsible Recycling solutions.

Since our founding as an electronic waste startup in a Duke University dorm room in 2014, we have grown at an average rate of more than 66% per year. By adhering to our three values (One Sprout, Deliver Excellence, and Integrity Matters), we move at #SproutSpeed to become the emerging leader in our industry. Learn more at www.sproutup.com

Role Overview:
Be the central owner and “hub” for Sprout’s global vendor & partner network. Turn today’s ad hoc, decentralized vendor decisions into a proactive, managed system. Build and manage a portfolio of vendors (processing, buyers, onsite services, logistics, EOR, etc.) that can support our growth with:
-Strong compliance
-Competitive cost

-High quality and speed
-Appropriate redundancy and risk management
Act as the procurement muscle and escalation point that CSM, Sales, Service Delivery, Logistics, and Compliance can rely on for systemic issues. Balance volume and cost leverage in the US (~70%) with the higher risk and complexity in international markets (~30%), where third-party execution is most critical.

Responsibilities

Strategy & Coverage

• Own the global vendor portfolio (who we use, where, for what).
• Design redundancy plans by region/service based on measured risk and opportunity (e.g., avoiding single points of failure where it matters most).
• Pay particular attention to international markets, where regulatory, tax, and operational complexity are highest.

Onboarding & Qualification

• Design and coordinate a central onboarding workflow for all vendors (steps, owners, requirements), rather than doing every task themselves.
• Compliance/DSV management retains ownership of DSV vetting and approval; this role relies on their decisions for downstream vendors.
• Coordinate with Compliance, Trade, Legal, Finance, Ops, and functional owners to ensure: Compliance requirements are met (certs, data, export, environment). Insurance and risk standards are met.
• Ensure that once SMEs approve a vendor for their respective qualification items, they’re correctly reflected in the central system of record and visible for use.

Cost & Terms

• Lead negotiation of MSAs, rate cards, SLAs, rebates, and commercial terms + hold vendors accountable to terms.
• Establish geographic rate cards and standard vendor SOW templates so CSMs and project teams can execute repeatable work without re-negotiating every time.
• Support functional owners in driving savings and cost avoidance, while staying aligned to customer/program needs.

Data, Tools & Visibility

• Build and own a single source of truth for vendors:
• Where they operate, capability, status, pricing, insurance, performance, etc.
• Monitor document/cert validity (e.g., insurance, licenses) and set alerts when items are due for renewal.
• Partner with IT/BI to create simple, self-serve views and scorecards so CSMs and other teams can:
• Quickly identify the right vendor by region, service, and capability.
• Pull quotes or pricing assumptions directly from pre-negotiated rate cards, minimizing back-and-forth with vendors.

Performance & Escalations

• Define and maintain vendor scorecards and review cadence (MBRs/QBRs).
• Gather performance inputs from Service Delivery, Logistics, CSM, Outbound Sales, Compliance, etc.
• Lead corrective action / escalation conversations with vendors, together with the relevant functional experts.
• Recommend de-prioritization or shut-off of vendors that consistently underperform or fail to meet agreed standards.

This role enables execution; it doesn’t run jobs or own P&L.

• Does not:
• Schedule or manage individual jobs or loads.
• Own customer SOWs / program requirements (CSMs & program owners keep that).
• Own revenue/margin targets for DSVs, buyers, or transport (Sales, Logistics, Services keep that).
• Override Compliance / DSV management decisions on downstream vendor approval.
• Does:
• Coordinate approvals centrally (Compliance, Trade, Legal, Finance, functional leaders) and reflect decisions in the vendor system of record.
• Use vendor performance, cost, and risk data to drive portfolio, rate card, and redundancy recommendations.

Qualifications

• Level: Sr. / Manager-level senior IC with enough experience to “have seen great” and execute independently.
• 6–10+ years in vendor management / procurement / supply chain, ideally in ITAD, services, logistics, or similar.
• Has built or materially improved a vendor/partner network and supporting processes.
• Strong negotiation + relationship skills: tough on cost/terms, still seen as a good customer.
• Highly cross-functional: can partner with CSM, Sales, Ops, Logistics, Compliance, Finance without needing a playbook.
• Builder / self-starter: comfortable with ambiguity; designs and runs the system, not just follows it.
• Willing to travel ~30% to key vendors, facilities, and select customer-aligned meetings.

EEO – Equal Employment Opportunity

Sprout is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other protected status.