CPO Vendor Specialist

The Vendor Specialist is overall responsible for managing the relationship with our CPO Vendors. They will ensure that third-party vendors deliver consistent, high-quality, and cost-effective products and services aligned with organizational goals. This position is responsible for establishing and maintaining strong vendor relationships, driving performance through defined metrics and governance, and ensuring compliance with contractual, operational, and risk requirements. What will be my duties and responsibilities in this job? Vendor Performance Management Serve as the primary relationship owner for assigned vendors, acting as the main operational and strategic point of contact Monitor vendor performance against defined SLAs, KPIs, and quality standards Conduct regular business reviews with vendors, providing feedback and driving continuous improvement initiatives Identify performance gaps and implement corrective action plans Governance & Oversight Establish and maintain vendor governance frameworks, including reporting, review cadences, and escalation protocols Lead issue resolution and escalation management with vendors and internal stakeholders Ensure adherence to contractual obligations and policies Maintain proper documentation of vendor processes, controls, and performance Financial & Commercial Management Monitor vendor spend, identify cost optimization opportunities, and support budgeting/forecasting activities Assist in contract negotiations, renewals, and pricing discussions Track ROI and value delivered from vendor relationships Stakeholder Collaboration Partner with internal business units to align vendor services with operational needs Provide insights and reporting to leadership on vendor performance and trends Support cross-functional initiatives involving multiple vendors and stakeholders Continuous Improvement & Strategy Drive process improvements and standardization across vendor management practices Leverage analytics and reporting to identify trends and opportunities Participate in vendor selection and onboarding activities What are the requirements needed for this position? Education & Experience Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Operations, or related field 2–5+ years of experience in vendor management, sourcing, procurement, or operations Skills & Competencies Strong relationship management and negotiation skills Experience managing SLAs, KPIs, and vendor scorecards Analytical mindset with ability to interpret performance data Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills Knowledge of vendor risk management practices is a plus Proficient and competent in all Microsoft Office applications Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills Ability to influence effectively, communicating at all levels Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team as well independently when required What other skills/experience would be helpful to have? Experience in supply chain, logistics, or service operations Exposure to contract management and sourcing processes Familiarity with vendor management systems (VMS) or performance dashboards Why Assurant? People First – we prioritize employee well-being and development Empowerment – we enable our people to do their best work Benefits effective day one 401K Match – up to 6% dollar-for-dollar The Company Assurant, Inc. redefines the boundaries of protection — safeguarding and servicing connected devices, homes, automobiles, and commercial equipment in partnership with the world’s most successful brands. As a Fortune 500 company operating in 21 countries, Assurant leads the way in leveraging insights and technology to transform customer connections that build loyalty and drive value. With more than 325 million consumers protected worldwide, Assurant is behind the scenes helping brands deliver reliable, meaningful experiences customers can count on, so brands can shine and customers can have peace of mind. Global Impact Assurant is a purpose-driven company committed to advancing a connected, respected, and protected world. Through our focus on Connected Communities , Respected Resources , and a Protected Planet , we integrate sustainability into our long-term strategy in ways that support our business, strengthen operations, and help us deliver value for clients, customers, employees, and communities. Assurant Culture The Assurant Way defines how we show up for our clients, customers, communities, and one another — with Common Sense, Common Decency, Uncommon Thinking, and Uncommon Results. Recognized on Forbes’ list of the World’s Best Employers , named among Fortune’s America’s Most Innovative Companies , and consistently ranked as a “Best/Great Place to Work” in 14 countries, Assurant attracts talented people who are passionate about service, practical innovation, and delivering meaningful results. Benefits & Rewards Assurant is committed to providing a competitive rewards package that offers market-competitive benefits and resources designed to support physical, emotional, financial, and social wellbeing. #LI-Remote #AssurantProudKS Pay Range: $64,900.00 - $108,200.00 Any posted pay range considers a wide range of compensation factors, including candidate background, experience and work location, while also allowing for salary growth within the position. If there is no posting end date listed then this is a pipeline requisition, and we will continue to collect applications on an ongoing basis. Helping People Thrive in a Connected World Connect with us. Bring us your best work and your brightest ideas. And we’ll bring you a place where you can thrive. Learn more at jobs.assurant.com . For U.S. benefit information, visit myassurantbenefits.com . For benefit information outside the U.S., please speak with your recruiter. What’s the culture like at Assurant? Our unique culture is a big reason why talented people choose Assurant. Named a Best/Great Place to Work in 14 countries and awarded the Fortune America’s Most Innovative Companies recognition, we bring together top talent around the world. Although we have a wide variety of skills and experiences, we share common characteristics that are uniquely Assurant. A passion for service. An ability to innovate in practical ways. And a willingness to take chances. We call our culture The Assurant Way . Company Overview Assurant is a leading global business services company that supports, protects, and connects major consumer purchases. A Fortune 500 company with a presence in 21 countries, Assurant supports the advancement of the connected world by partnering with the world’s leading brands to develop innovative solutions and deliver an enhanced customer experience through mobile device solutions, extended service contracts, vehicle protection services, renters insurance, lender-placed insurance products, and other specialty products. AI and Biometric Usage Assurant supports the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), but we want to know the real you. Visit our AI Usage Guidelines page to understand what we expect from applicants regarding their use of AI during the application process. Since we would like to know the real you, we require that all of our virtual interviews be conducted on video. Employment is contingent upon completion of a required identity verification process, which may include biometric technology, where permitted by applicable law and subject to applicable notice and consent requirements. See our Privacy Notice to learn about Assurant’s privacy practices, including our use of AI-enabled technology, automated decision making, and biometric information. Equal Opportunity Statement Assurant is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and does not use or consider race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law in employment decisions. Job Scam Alert Please be aware that during Assurant's application process, we will never ask for personal information such as your Social Security number, bank account details, or passwords. Learn more about what to look out for and how to report a scam here .