Procurement and Vendor Operations Associate Director

Job Description

Position Summary

We are looking for a highly skilled and experienced Associate Director to lead Procurement Operations and Vendor Management within Vertexs BPO-enabled operating this pivotal role the Associate Director will serve as the senior governance and relationship lead and is the accountable owner of Procurement Operations service delivery across PR-to-PO processing Procurement Service Desk and Vendor Master Data Management for outsourced procurement operations ensuring the BPO partner delivers against contractual commitments service targets and strategic procurement objectives.

The ideal candidate is a dynamic leader with deep expertise in end-to-end Procure-to-Pay processes BPO governance and continuous improvement. The ability to collaborate across Finance Procurement Category Management Legal and business stakeholders is essential for success in this role. This role has end-to-end accountability for outcomes including service performance vendor adherence to contract and SLAs controls effectiveness and audit readiness. The role leads through others balancing strong external partnership with firm governance and ensures Procurement Operations are stable compliant scalable and aligned to business expectations.

Key Responsibilities

BPO Governance & Vendor Management

• Own the governance framework for outsourced procurement operations including requisition-to-PO activities procurement service desk vendor master data management and vendor inquiry support.
• Monitor BPO performance against contractual SLAs and KPIs (e.g. cycle time touchless PO rate policy compliance); manage service credits and escalation protocols.
• Lead quarterly business reviews (QBRs) and executive steering committee sessions with BPO partner leadership.
• Act as the primary point of contact for matters with stakeholders including the BPO vendors business partners and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Build a collaborative partnership with BPO provider leadership and align service delivery priorities with Vertexs business objectives.
• Represent Procurement Operations performance in senior governance audits and business reviews.

Policy & Process Compliance

• Ensure adherence to procurement policies approval matrices and buying channel strategies across all BPO-delivered activity.
• Reinforce procurement policies including No PO No Pay.
• Monitor maverick spend and drive continuous improvements in policy compliance.
• Partner with Category Management to align operational execution with sourcing strategies.
• Act as senior liaison to Accounts Payable Finance Internal Audit and Procurement leadership to resolve cross-functional issues impacting PR-to-Pay performance or compliance.

Operational Excellence

• Oversee BPO-delivered procurement operations including requisition review PO creation change orders and inquiries.
• Serve as senior escalation point for complex vendor requisition and PO issues not resolved at the BPO level.

Ensure appropriate controls are embedded within requisition-to-PO workflows and that Procurement Operations processes operate in compliance with SOX internal controls and audit expectations.

Performance & Financial Management

• Validate BPO performance reporting and ensure transparency of service metrics using BI and reporting tools.
• Provide clear fact-based communication on risks performance and improvement plans.
• Oversee invoicing rate validation and commercial compliance with contract terms.
• Identify cost optimization and productivity improvement opportunities within the outsourcing arrangement.

Continuous Improvement & Transformation

• Drive automation catalog adoption self-service enablement and workflow simplification initiatives in partnership with the BPO.
• Benchmark procurement operations performance against industry standards.
• Foster a culture of accountability collaboration and continuous improvement within the Procurement Operations function.
• Ensure value realization from the outsourcing strategy.

Risk & Controls

• Monitor regulatory compliance data protection and internal control adherence within procurement operations.
• Identify operational and contractual risks and implement mitigation strategies.
• Support audit and compliance activities related to procurement operations.

Leadership & Development

• Lead mentor and develop the Procurement Operations team (internal and BPO-side) to achieve departmental and organizational goals.
• Conduct regular performance reviews and provide coaching to support professional growth.
• Set priorities performance expectations and accountability across internal and external teams.
• Drive and manage change initiatives to improve processes and achieve business objectives.
• Develop operational leadership capability and succession readiness.

Education and Experience

• 812 years of experience in Procurement Operations Vendor Master Procure-to-Pay Shared Services or outsourced delivery environments with leadership experience in highly visible roles with enterprise-level accountability. Demonstrated ownership of third-party service delivery and vendor governance required.
• Experience supporting large-scale outsourcing transitions preferred.
• Completion of a professional certification or examination in a relevant field is preferred (e.g. CPSM CIPS).
• Familiarity with Source-to-Pay agentic orchestration layers is preferred
• A global perspective with the ability to navigate and manage cross-cultural and international business environments effectively.
• Strong experience with SOX audit and operational controls required.

Skills and Competencies

• Deep understanding of end-to-end Procure-to-Pay processes policies and best practices.
• Strong vendor governance contract management and negotiation skills.
• Knowledge of procurement systems guided buying platforms and ERP systems (e.g. Oracle Coupa SAP).
• Proficiency in data analysis and reporting tools (e.g. BI platforms Excel).
• Strong stakeholder management change management and executive communication capabilities.
• Analytical mindset with the ability to interpret and act on operational metrics.
• Experience with continuous improvement methodologies (Lean/Six Sigma) a plus.

Key Attributes

• Strong leadership communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to inspire teams and external partners.
• Proven ability to thrive under pressure meet tight deadlines and manage competing priorities efficiently.
• High level of integrity and commitment to compliance accuracy and operational excellence.
• Results-driven with a focus on continuous improvement and value realization.
• Proactive in escalating critical issues to appropriate business leaders when necessary.
• Collaborative and adaptable with a global mindset and the ability to work across diverse teams and cultures.

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Pay Range:

Disclosure Statement:

Flex Designation:

Flex Eligibility Status:

In this Hybrid-Eligible role you can choose to be designated as:
1. Hybrid: work remotely up to two days per week; or select
2. On-Site: work five days per week on-site with ad hoc flexibility.

Note: The Flex status for this position is subject to Vertexs Policy on Flex @ Vertex Program and may be changed at any time.

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Company Information

Vertex is a global biotechnology company that invests in scientific innovation.

Vertex is committed to equal employment opportunity and non-discrimination for all employees and qualified applicants without regard to a persons race color sex gender identity or expression age religion national origin ancestry ethnicity disability veteran status genetic information sexual orientation marital status or any characteristic protected under applicable law. Vertex is an E-Verify Employer in the United States. Vertex will make reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with known disabilities in accordance with applicable law.

Any applicant requiring an accommodation in connection with the hiring process and/or to perform the essential functions of the position for which the applicant has applied should make a request to the recruiter or hiring manager or contact Talent Acquisition at