Program Vendor Manager

Job Description

When you join Verizon

You want more out of a career. A place to share your ideas freely — even if they’re daring or different. Where the true you can learn, grow, and thrive. At Verizon, we power and empower how people live, work and play by connecting them to what brings them joy. We do what we love — driving innovation, creativity, and impact in the world. Our V Team is a community of people who anticipate, lead, and believe that listening is where learning begins. In crisis and in celebration, we come together — lifting our communities and building trust in how we show up, everywhere & always. Want in? Join the V Team Life.

What you’ll be doing…

As a Program Vendor Manager you will be responsible for managing key relationships with 1st & 3rd party vendors, coordinating key projects across multiple vendors particularly, but not limited to, the 3rd party Hardware IoT space. You will respond to issues and concerns highlighted by Product, UX, and Engineering leaders to ensure projects are delivered in the right way. This ensures a cohesive message is given to our key vendors that take all stakeholder needs into consideration.

You will be responsible for:

• Helping Engineering, Product & UX leadership manage complex relationships with 1st & 3rd party IoT vendors across our global R&D landscape

• Working with Sourcing, Support Services and other Verizon Connect divisions in rolling out new hardware, software or in ensuring timely delivery of product to key customers

• Working across multiple geographies and timezones to coordinate effort

• Acting as chief coordinator for 1st and 3rd party hardware vendors, at times going deep in project management or working closely with Technical Project Managers (TPMs) to ensure the right outcome

• Helping manage escalations across the business related to vendors

• Optimizing processes with vendors by understanding product requirements and working with key leaders and TPMs on go to market timelines

• Evaluating vendors manufacturing and test processes, making recommendations for improvements to deliver high quality devices at scale

• Coordinating Quarterly Business Reviews with key Vendors and design templates for agendas, take notes and disperse actions / follow ups

• Ensuring the Vendor end product meets the standards expected by Verizon Connect

What we’re looking for…

You’re great at bringing people together from different functions to work towards a common goal. Driving projects forwards gives you a lot of satisfaction, whatever the obstacles you encounter on the way in a rapidly changing environment. You enjoy facilitating and are an excellent communicator, helping everyone to perform at their best.

You’ll need to have:

• Experience managing IoT & Hardware vendors as well as a variety of software focused vendors

• Prior experience managing vendors & program management in a complex enterprise landscape

• Ability to troubleshoot on issues with 3rd parties & understand business flow & needs

• Experience developing process quality plans and driving corrective actions with vendors

• Experience with Hardware & Software Lifecycle Management

• Timezone flexibility as the majority of vendors are U.S. based

Even better if you have one or more of the following:

• Availability to travel internationally and go on-site

• Excellent English written and verbal communication skills, need to write up reports and decks, document findings in a structured manner

• Experienced problem solver able to determine the root cause of technical issues and implement effective solutions in a timely manner.

• Creative thinker with ability to think ‘out of the box’ in a fast-paced environment. Demonstrated resourcefulness and ability to adapt to a variety of situations.

• Demonstrated ability to prioritize, initiate, and drive projects to completion.

• Experience with manufacturing quality, e.g. Experience with ISO9001, Six Sigma, Lean Manufacturing processes

• Solid knowledge of engineering fundamentals

• Strong attention to detail

If Verizon and this role sound like a fit for you, we encourage you to apply, even if you don’t meet every “even better” qualification listed above.

Where you’ll be working

In this hybrid role, you'll have a defined work location that includes work from home and assigned office days set by your manager.

Scheduled Weekly Hours

40

Diversity and Inclusion

We’re proud to be an equal opportunity employer. At Verizon, we know that diversity makes us stronger. We are committed to a collaborative, inclusive environment that encourages authenticity and fosters a sense of belonging. We strive for everyone to feel valued, connected, and empowered to reach their potential and contribute their best. Check out our diversity and inclusion page to learn more.