Vendor Performance Manager, Planning and Delivery

Position Overview:

The Vendor Performance Manager is responsible for overseeing the performance and quality of services and equipments delivered by third-party vendors. This role ensures vendors including architects engineering firms contractors and equipment suppliers deliver services and materials on time within scope budget and quality standards while meeting compliance and contractual obligations key performance indicators (KPIs) and service level agreements (SLAs). This role also drives continuous improvement and strategic vendor relationships. They are a key member of multi-disciplined team of engineers and technical program managers that plan schedule coordinate and direct the activities of customers vendors and Fleet Data Centers teams including data center engineering construction commissioning procurement supply chain legal and finance.

The Data Center Vendor Performance Manager reports to the Director of Data Center Planning and Delivery Fleet Data Centers.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the development and execution of a global vendor performance strategy aligned with business technical and operational goals.
• Develop and implement a vendor performance management framework tailored to data center projects.
• Track analyze and report vendor performance metrics (KPIs) related to safety quality cost and schedule adherence.
• Coordinate with procurement project management construction and design teams to ensure vendor accountability across project phases.
• Conduct regular performance reviews including pre-construction and post-mortem evaluations.
• Identify performance gaps and lead corrective action initiatives and continuous improvement plans.
• Maintain detailed documentation and dashboards for vendor scorecards and issue logs.
• Ensure vendor compliance with industry standards (e.g. Uptime Institute TIA-942 NFPA ASHRAE) and project-specific specifications.
• Facilitate clear communication with vendors regarding expectations change orders and escalation procedures.
• Partner with legal and procurement to assess contractual performance clauses and enforce SLAs.
• Contribute to vendor prequalification onboarding and capacity assessments for future pipeline scalability.
• Facilitate Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs) with critical vendors and executive stakeholders.
• Interface with site construction teams to ensure real-time issue escalation risk mitigation and cross-project alignment. Support audits commissioning phases and project closeout documentation related to vendor deliverables.

Required Qualifications:

• Education: Bachelors degree in Construction Management Engineering Supply Chain or related field.
• 8 years of experience with vendor or supplier performance management ideally in data center or mission-critical construction.
• Deep understanding of design-build processes and construction vendor roles (GCs MEP subs consultants).
• Strong familiarity with construction contracts SLAs and risk mitigation practices.
• Demonstrated leadership experience in managing multimillion-dollar vendor contracts and high-volume project portfolios.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills with cross-functional teams and vendors.
• Ability to travel to job sites as needed.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working on hyperscale or colocation data center projects.
• Certifications such as PMP LEED AP or Uptime Institute Accredited Tier Designer.
• Experience with integrated project delivery (IPD) or modular/offsite fabrication.
• Knowledge of commissioning processes (Level 15) and data center performance standards (PUE WUE etc.).

Key Competencies:

• Integrity and Ethical Standards: Build trust ensure fairness and foster long-term transparent relationships with suppliers.
• Effective Communication: The ability to clearly convey expectations and requirements to suppliers and negotiation parties while understanding their needs and concerns. Comfortable delivering written and verbal presentations to internal leadership teams.
• Emotional Intelligence (EQ): Ability to understand the emotions cultural nuances and motivations of others while effectively managing ones own emotions during high-pressure negotiations.
• Strategic Thinking: Recognize how supplier relationships and negotiations align with the broader organizational goals while aiming for outcomes that benefit both parties.
• Critical Thinking Skills: Finding innovative solutions and being flexible in addressing unexpected challenges.
• Analytical Ability: Make data-driven decisions assess cost structures and identify potential risks ensuring informed and strategic outcomes.
• Influence and Persuasion: Able to effectively advocate for their position build consensus and secure favorable agreements without compromising relationships.
• Operational Paranoia: Anticipate risks identify vulnerabilities and proactively implement mechanisms to prevent and minimize disruptions and safeguard safety security availability and scale.
• Relationship Management: Cultivate trust collaboration and long-term partnerships while building a broad network that provides valuable benchmarking industry insights and alternative sourcing options.
• Leadership and Team Management: Inspire and guide teams to achieve their objectives while enhancing performance effectively managing disputes and fostering a collaborative team environment.

Expected Salary Range: $150000 $200000 including Bonus

Location: Seattle WA (Mercer Island) Hybrid but will also consider candidates from Denver CO and Alexandria VA.

Fleet Data Centers Employment

Fleet Data Center employees enjoy competitive compensation and comprehensive benefits including 100% employer-covered medical dental and vision insurance a 401K program standard paid holidays and unlimited PTO.

NOTE: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employees may perform other related duties as assigned to meet the organizations ongoing needs.

Fleet Data Centers is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants are considered for employment regardless of age race color religion sex national origin sexual orientation gender identity disability or veteran status.

If you need assistance applying for any of our open positions please contact us at

Required Experience:

Manager