When our square shaped burgers made their first sizzle on the scene more than 50 years ago, people knew our approach wasn’t like any other. Same goes for the way we support our employees. Our culture of openness, flexibility, and inclusiveness allows everybody to flourish in their own way. If you’re looking for a career where you can be part of the action as we continue to grow our iconic brand - We got you!

Are you a strong relationship builder with extensive vendor management and/or procurement experience, inclusive of a thorough understanding of Vendor Governance frameworks, contract negotiation and management, and monitoring of ongoing service delivery in accordance with agreed upon contractual objectives? The Manager of Vendor Governance’s objective will be to expand upon our existing processes to include the strategic management of all current and future vendors in the Wendy’s system (non-Restaurant). Vendor Governance will be the organizational authority driving vendor management leading practices and ongoing performance measurement across corporate functions.

The role will include input to defining our future state, ongoing process, and toolset optimization, and supporting the execution of policies, procedures, and standards which you will help to define and expand! This role will be critical in evolving Wendy’s capabilities by providing key input into strategic decision making for Wendy’s Leadership. You will interface regularly with various leaders throughout the enterprise, including Legal, IT, Finance, Internal Audit, and Enterprise Risk Management as appropriate.

Responsibilities

• Partner cross-functionally to build, maintain, and enhance a strategic vendor management governance model for the Wendy’s system focused on: vendor governance, contract management and compliance, procurement operations, vendor performance, sourcing, and category management.
• Lead and participate in select, strategic vendor negotiations.
• Manage and measure performance of the vendor portfolio between internal customers and external vendors reporting status to leadership on a standard cadence.
• Establish, cultivate, and execute relationship management responsibilities for select strategic vendor partner(s), partnering with business stakeholders to drive alignment across objectives and outcomes.
• Partner with and leverage 3rd Party Vendor research firms to ensure leading practices are observed and proposed costs are in line with market.   
• Analyze existing vendor relationships to assess strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and risks for strategic decision making.  Seek additional opportunities, where appropriate, to expand and refine vendor relationships in partnership with business stakeholders.
• Ensure effective communication between the organization and vendor community by formalizing a vendor management communication strategy.
• Leads, motivates, and creates a high performing team through providing strategic direction, organization design, coaching and development.

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• Postsecondary education in an analytical field (business administration, economics, psychology, computer science/MIS, mathematics, statistics, finance, etc.) or equivalent work experience.
• Five or more years of formal experience managing complex contracts and relationships or experience as a Vendor managing partner accounts and relationships.  Alternate experience in related business areas as it pertains to vendor management and procurement functions will also be considered.
• Cultivate vendor/supplier relationships, driving contract review process, leading complex negotiations, and defining associated scope to achieve expected results. Approve or recommend depending on the $ amount and per Wendy’s pre-established guidelines.
• Passion for developing talent by growing engaged, inclusive, and diverse teams who mirror Wendy’s core values ‘Treat People with Respect’ and ‘Do the Right Thing’.
• Experience working in IT that has resulted in an understanding of technology, implementations, and SaaS-based solutions.

Desired skills:

• Strong relationship and interpersonal skills including team building, collaboration, communication, influence, negotiation, dispute resolution & mediation. Demonstrated ability to communicate with business leaders to understand requirements, manage expectations & value measures.
• Thorough understanding of vendor organizations and procurement capabilities including motivations, strategic plans, decision-making processes, market relevant research, challenges, and potential issues (political, influence) that impact vendor relationships/
• Knowledge of market trends in contract and pricing models, service delivery, performance management, and innovation.
• Ability to understand internal customer and vendor business goals and strategies with the intent of establishing and managing to a common set of goals.
• Demonstrated capacity to understand complex issues and initiatives and the ability to sustain communication on these topics with business and technology-savvy individuals.

Wendy’s was built on the premise, "Quality is our Recipe®," which remains the guidepost of the Wendy's system. Today, Wendy's and its franchisees employ hundreds of thousands of people across more than 7,000 restaurants worldwide with a vision of becoming the world's most thriving and beloved restaurant brand.

The base pay range for this position is listed below. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and budget for the open position and also may vary depending on the candidate’s job-related knowledge, skills, and experience, among other relevant factors.  This range does not include an estimated value for any benefits, bonus, or other incentives that may be applicable based on position.*  The target annual bonus for this role is 20% of annualized base salary, based on actual company and personal performance.  Director and above roles are also eligible to participate in the Company’s long-term incentive award program.

Our square burgers make us different and so do our benefits!  Our restaurant support roles are eligible for a wide array of benefits, including things such as parental leave, free EAP sessions, company 401k match and other great offerings.  For more details about our benefits, including an overview of eligibility and terms for certain benefits, please visit our benefits website, www.wendysbenefits.com.*

*NOTE: Wendy’s benefits, bonus, and other incentives are governed by the applicable legal plans and policies and, where appropriate, may be subject to Board approval an individual award agreement terms.  Those documents supersede all other information regarding Wendy’s benefits, bonus, and other incentives.  Wendy’s retains the right to amend or terminate its plans and policies at its sole discretion, in accordance with applicable plans, policies and laws.

Education: High School Diploma/GED

Travel: 10%

Pay Range: $96,000 - $168,000 Annually