Strategic Vendor Manager

The Position: This vendor management position is a critical role within the Cigna Middle East (CiME) business. Reporting to the Head of Product & Solution Strategy you will be required to play a key role in managing new and existing strategic vendor partnerships across the Middle East and Africa The role will work closely with multiple internal stakeholders including Project Management Middle East Operations CignaLinks (global teams) IT Delivery teams and manage the vendors delivery performance roadmaps technical capability and technical resources as well as intervendor issue management. Candidate Profile: In order to be considered you must be highly motivated driven to succeed have proven vendor management and/ or TPA management skills and have demonstrated expertise in managing vendors in a matrixed environment. Strong soft skills are essential as the role will require extensive interaction with director level and above stakeholders and working with multiple vendors. Ability to travel up to 25 across the Middle East & Africa Key Responsibilities: Creation of a Governance framework for ongoing reviewing and refinement of strategic vendor delivery objectives and performance against all service level agreements examining results for problem determination and takes appropriate corrective actions Creates process and workflows to partner with vendor(s) and internal delivery teams to facilitate the delivery aspects of vendor governance Review develop and recommend processes to improve and/or enhance vendor operations and performance Partners with vendors on technical and service roadmaps and advancements in technical capabilities Highlight strategic opportunities to Cigna Senior Management on new opportunities or expanding on existing opportunities with new or existing vendors Execute on implementing and integrating any new strategic vendor(s) into CiME from a holistic endtoend point of view Serve as single point of contact for internal stakeholders for any vendor delivery issues and disputes including the vendors ability to administer standard and nonstandard products/benefits Prepares and presents to senior management the status of vendor compliance while identifying any potential financial or compliance risk Collaborate with the vendor(s) and internal delivery teams to establish a robust governance model for effective management of select supplier delivery Collaborate with the vendor(s) and internal delivery teams to execute and monitor Corrective Action Plans if required Facilitate the constructive handling or resolution of conflict both internally and externally with our external suppliers Adherence to scope management and change control processes; assess and evaluate scope changes for feasibility and impacts on commitments Experienced at identifying risks issues and mitigation plans and working with leadership to drive to resolution Builds an environment of trust collaboration and openness among peers and other team members. Shares lessons learned perceptions and best practices openly with an eye towards continuous process improvement Proposes recommendations and adjustments to project delivery and related solutions throughout the life of the initiative Communicates clearly with all levels of stakeholders to ensure deliverables are hit. Can articulate tradeoffs and impacts with the big picture in mind to enable strategic and tactical decision making as well as mitigate risk. Skills and Experience: Bachelors Degree in Information Science and Technology Business Administration or related discipline is required MBA preferred 3 years of vendor management experience is required Knowledge of health care and/or insurance industry is preferred Knowledge of process design measurement techniques and governance frameworks required Experience of managing supplier relationships across multiple countries on a global basis Demonstrated and applied experience initiating and successfully delivering complex projects Excellent problemsolving and strategic thinking skills Ability to navigate a fast paced highly matrixed organization effectively Ability to remove barriers and enable teams to complete their objectives Proven ability to present and communicate at all levels with clarity and precision both written and verbally A proven ability to quickly earn the trust of sponsors and key stakeholders; mobilize and motivate teams; set direction and approach; resolve conflict; deliver tough messages with grace; execute with limited information and ambiguity Cultural competency organizational skills negotiation skills and customer focus Strong skills using Microsoft Office Suite (Word Excel PowerPoint SharePoint etc. About Cigna Healthcare Cigna Healthcare a division of The Cigna Group is an advocate for better health through every stage of life. We guide our customers through the health care system empowering them with the information and insight they need to make the best choices for improving their health and vitality. Join us in driving growth and improving lives. Qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race color age disability sex childbirth (including pregnancy) or related medical conditions including but not limited to lactation sexual orientation gender identity or expression veteran or military status religion national origin ancestry marital or familial status genetic information status with regard to public assistance citizenship status or any other characteristic protected by applicable equal employment opportunity laws. If you require reasonable accommodation in completing the online application process please email: for support. Do not email for an update on your application or to provide your resume as you will not receive a response. Required Experience: Manager Key Skills Presentation Skills,Purchasing,Procurement,Vendor Management,Process Improvement,Pricing,Project Management,Relationship Management,Contract Management,Contract Negotiation,negotiation,Contracts Employment Type : Full-Time Experience: years Vacancy: 1