About the Role
We're looking for a Vendor Manager to own the end-to-end relationship with third-party suppliers. You will manage vendor strategy, negotiating contracts, and ensuring supply continuity for programs operating at scale.
This role directly supports the engineering, project execution, and maintenance management functions by ensuring all external vendors and suppliers deliver services that meet contractual obligations, performance standards, and company quality requirements.
What You'll Own
- Own vendor selection, onboarding, and performance management for AI/hardware and component suppliers (compute, sensors, actuators, precision mechanical parts, etc.)
- Define, negotiate, and finalize comprehensive SLAs and performance metrics (KPIs) for all critical vendors/suppliers supporting engineering, projects, and maintenance.
- Own the development and approval of TORs, scopes of work, and RFPs for new projects and services, ensuring alignment with business requirements, budget constraints, risk controls, and long-term operational objectives
- Partner with engineering and technical program managers to translate product roadmaps into vendor capacity and capability requirements
- Lead business reviews (QBRs/ABRs) with strategic suppliers
- Identify supply chain risk and build mitigation/dual-sourcing strategies
- Collaborate with legal on IP, data security, and export control terms specific to hardware
- Drive cost-reduction and innovation roadmaps jointly with vendors
- Support new product introduction timelines by aligning vendor capacity with launch schedules
- Assess and manage vendor capacity, financial viability, and compliance with EHS (Environmental, Health, and Safety) and local regulatory standards
What You'll Bring
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Business, or related field
- 8+ years of experience in vendor/supplier management, procurement, or technical program management, ideally in hardware or robotics
- Experience negotiating complex commercial agreements (MSAs, SOWs, NDAs)
- Familiarity with hardware development cycles (NPI, DVT/PVT, manufacturing ramp)
- Strong analytical skills; comfortable building and presenting data-driven business cases
Preferred Qualifications
- Advanced technical degree
- Experience with AI hardware or robotics components
- Experience with export control/compliance issues related to advanced compute or dual-use technology
DIVERSITY, EQUITY, INCLUSION & BELONGING
At Innodata, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging are at the heart of who we are. With over 35 years of expertise, we foster an inclusive workplace that celebrates the rich diversity of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives our employees bring — diversity that fuels our innovation in AI and data engineering. We encourage individuals from all walks of life to apply, particularly those who may feel they don't meet every qualification or who hesitate due to their identity. Through inclusive learning initiatives, Employee Resource Groups, and flexible work arrangements, we create a sense of belonging for every team member, whether remote or onsite.
How to Apply
Apply directly through this posting, and our team will be in touch.
