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Vendor Management Lead
Company : Sargent &lundy
Location : Chicago, IL, 60603
Job Type : Full Time
Date Posted : 10 January 2026
Description
Sargent & Lundy is a leading consulting engineering firm specializing in the power and energy sectors. Since 1891, we have provided comprehensive engineering, design, and consulting services for both traditional and renewable power generation, grid modernization, nuclear power, and beyond. Our mission is to help clients achieve their energy goals effectively by leveraging advanced technologies and adopting sustainable practices.
Role Overview
The Vendor Management Lead will define and mature Sargent & Lundy’s enterprise vendor strategy, balancing value creation, risk management, and operational excellence across software/SaaS, cloud, professional services, and hardware suppliers. This role combines strategic leadership, rigorous governance, and hands-on delivery to optimize cost, performance, and innovation across the vendor portfolio.
Key Responsibilities
Strategy & Vision
- Develop the enterprise vendor strategy and operating model aligned with business objectives, risk appetite, and value realization targets.
- Build a multi-year roadmap spanning supplier segmentation, category strategies, and technology enablement.
- Define KPIs/OKRs and value frameworks to measure savings, total cost of ownership (TCO), service quality, risk posture, and supplier innovation.
Sourcing & Category Management
- Lead strategic sourcing and negotiations for priority categories (software/SaaS, cloud, professional services, hardware), driving competitive events, market scans, and should-cost analysis.
- Own RFP/RFQ processes and commercial terming, partnering with Legal on MSAs, SOWs, SLAs, pricing frameworks, and IP/data protection clauses.
- Create category playbooks and supplier strategies to balance competition, continuity, and innovation while managing demand and lifecycle costs.
Governance & Compliance
- Establish and enforce the vendor governance framework, including policies, standards, onboarding/due diligence, ongoing monitoring, and exit planning.
- Operationalize third-party risk management (TPRM): security, privacy, and compliance assessments; control testing; remediation and exception handling.
- Maintain audit-ready records for vendor data and contracts; ensure adherence to SOX controls and regulatory requirements as applicable.
Supplier Performance & Relationship Management
- Define and manage SLAs/KPIs, conduct QBRs/MBRs, and drive performance remediation and continuous improvement plans.
- Run value-realization programs to track savings, rebates, credits, and service improvements, ensuring benefits land in budgets and forecasts.
- Promote supplier innovation, piloting new solutions that improve reliability, quality, cost, and time-to-value.
Technology Enablement & Reporting
- Support our SRM/CLM/TPRM tooling strategy and integrations with ERP/ITSM; standardize data, taxonomy, and workflows across the vendor lifecycle.
- Build executive reporting and dashboards on spend, performance, risk, and benefits; communicate insights and actions to leadership.
Stakeholder Engagement & Change Management
- Partner with Finance, IT, Security, Legal, and business units to forecast demand, align budgets, and prioritize sourcing/renewals.
- Develop processes, playbooks, and training to strengthen vendor lifecycle literacy and adoption across the organization.
- Lead change management to evolve behaviors, drive compliance to standards, and scale best practices.
- Establish operating rhythms for intake, triage, renewals, and escalations to ensure predictable, high-quality outcomes.
This position offers the flexibility of a hybrid schedule with the expectation of 3 days per week in our downtown Chicago office, and 2 days remote from home.
Qualifications
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Finance, Engineering, or a related field.
- 7+ years in vendor management for complex, multi-supplier environments; 3+ years leading programs or teams.
- Proven track record negotiating large/complex agreements (including 7- and 8-figure SaaS/cloud and professional services contracts) with measurable value outcomes.
- Hands-on experience with SRM/CLM/TPRM platforms (e.g., Coupa/Ariba, Icertis, ServiceNow VRM, OneTrust/Archer) and ERP (e.g., SAP/Oracle); strong analytics (Excel/BI).
- Fluency in third-party risk and compliance (information security, privacy, data protection, SOC 2/ISO 27001; industry-relevant regulations) and audit readiness.
- Exceptional communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence at all levels and drive cross-functional alignment.
Preferred Qualifications
- Professional certifications such as CPSM, CIPS, CSCP, or similar.
- Experience standing up a Vendor Management Office (VMO) or maturing vendor governance at scale.
- Industry experience in power/energy, engineering, or professional services.
Why Join Us?
- Work in an established company that values innovation and growth.
- Engage with a collaborative team that is dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the energy sector.
- Gain exposure to cutting-edge projects and contribute to data-driven decision-making processes.
We do not sponsor employees for work authorization in the U.S. for this position.
Award-Winning Benefits
At Sargent & Lundy, we care about the health and well-being of our employees. Our commitment extends beyond the workplace, offering comprehensive healthcare plans and generous paid time off to support our team members in every aspect of their lives. We understand the importance of work-life balance, which is why we are proud to provide competitive, award-winning benefits. Our dedication to employee satisfaction has earned us the prestigious Top Workplaces Culture Excellence Award for compensation and benefits in 2022, 2023, and 2024.
Health & WellnessFinancial BenefitsWork-Life Balance- Health Plans: Medical, Dental, Vision
- Life & Accident Insurance
- Disability Coverage
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Back-Up Daycare
- FSA & HSA
- 401(k)
- Pre-Tax Commuter Account
- Merit Scholarship Program
- Employee Discount Program
- Corporate Charitable Giving Program
- Tuition Assistance
- First Professional Licensure Bonus
- Employee Referral Bonus
- Paid Annual Personal/Sick Time (PST)
- Paid Vacation
- Paid Holidays
- Paid Parental Leave
- Paid Bereavement Leave
- Flexible Work Arrangements
Compensation Range
$100,010.00 - $144,190.00Transparency Statement
Sargent & Lundy discloses compensation ranges that comply with all local and state regulations. The total compensation package for eligible positions will include a base salary or an hourly rate and a comprehensive benefits package, reflecting our commitment to rewarding performance and supporting the overall well-being of our employees. Individuals may also be eligible to participate in our yearly discretionary bonus.Awards & Recognition
Equal Opportunity
Sargent & Lundy is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any protected status as defined by applicable law.
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Frequently asked questions
A Vendor Management Lead excels in strategic sourcing, negotiating complex contracts, and risk mitigation across diverse supplier categories. Unlike general procurement roles, this position demands mastery in governance frameworks, supplier innovation facilitation, and cross-functional stakeholder alignment, particularly within multi-supplier environments.
Growth pathways typically lead to senior leadership roles such as Director of Vendor Management or Chief Procurement Officer, especially in sectors like power and energy. Expertise in strategic vendor governance and technology enablement enhances prospects, enabling transitions into enterprise-wide operational strategy leadership.
Daily activities involve analyzing supplier KPIs, conducting quarterly business reviews, enforcing compliance to security and privacy standards, and resolving performance issues. This hands-on approach ensures continuous service quality improvement and adherence to regulatory requirements across vendor relationships.
At Sargent & Lundy, the role demands balancing long-established industry practices with cutting-edge energy technologies, requiring nuanced vendor strategies across traditional and renewable sectors. The hybrid work model in Chicago also introduces dynamic collaboration challenges between onsite and remote teams.
The culture emphasizes innovation and sustainability within the power sector, so the Vendor Management Lead is expected to drive supplier innovation and sustainable sourcing strategies. Collaborative teamwork and data-driven decision-making are core, requiring strong communication skills to align diverse stakeholders.
In Chicago, Vendor Management Leads can anticipate salaries between $100,010 and $144,190 annually, influenced by experience, negotiation expertise, and proficiency with SRM/CLM tools. The region's competitive energy sector and cost of living also shape compensation packages.
Certifications like CPSM, CIPS, or CSCP are highly valued locally, enhancing credibility in supply chain and vendor governance. Additionally, familiarity with SOC 2, ISO 27001, and industry-specific compliance standards strengthens candidacy within Chicago’s regulated energy market.
Risk management is integral, focusing on third-party security, privacy compliance, and regulatory audits. Given Chicago’s stringent industry regulations, the role involves continuous vendor due diligence and remediation programs to safeguard operational integrity.
Proficiency with platforms like Coupa, Ariba, Icertis, and ServiceNow VRM is essential, alongside ERP systems such as SAP or Oracle. These tools facilitate comprehensive vendor lifecycle management, contract administration, and insightful analytics critical in the Chicago power sector context.
This role uniquely blends strategic leadership with hands-on governance in a complex energy engineering environment, requiring deep engagement with multi-category sourcing and innovation programs. Unlike typical consultants, incumbents lead enterprise-wide frameworks and direct cross-departmental vendor strategies.