Vendor Project Manager

📋 Description

• • Lexitas is seeking a purpose-driven and passionate Vendor Project Manager (VPM) to join our dynamic team. At Lexitas, we are united by a common mission: to be the premier ophthalmic product development organization that partners with others. As a VPM, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring the successful delivery of projects by providing end-to-end oversight of our third-party vendors. This is a critical position that requires a proactive, detail-oriented individual capable of managing complex vendor relationships and driving predictable, high-quality outcomes.
• • Your primary responsibility will be to lead the entire lifecycle of vendor engagement, from initial identification and procurement through to ongoing management and performance evaluation. You will be instrumental in identifying, assessing, and onboarding new vendors, ensuring they meet Lexitas's rigorous standards for quality, compliance, and operational excellence. This involves close collaboration with our Quality Assurance team to conduct thorough audits and acceptance procedures, thereby safeguarding the integrity of our development processes.
• • A key aspect of this role involves developing and implementing a Global Vendor Strategy. This strategy will ensure that Lexitas has a robust network of approved vendors capable of meeting all core vendor capabilities required by both Lexitas and our valued customers. You will proactively identify vendors to address critical business needs, ensuring we have the right partners in place to support our innovative projects.
• • Vendor management extends to the meticulous negotiation of agreements. You will be responsible for defining and securing favorable terms, including Master Service Agreements (MSAs), Service Level Agreements (SLAs), timelines, training requirements, and clear issue escalation pathways. Furthermore, you will collaborate with the Finance department to establish and manage a streamlined Purchase Order Approval Process, overseeing the flow of purchase requests from initiation to completion.
• • Continuous monitoring of vendor performance is paramount. You will track vendor adherence to SLAs, maintain up-to-date qualification statuses, and ensure consistent quality. In the event of vendor quality issues or deviations, you will lead the follow-up process, meticulously documenting corrective and preventative actions (CAPAs) in close partnership with project teams, functional management, QA, and the vendor leads themselves.
• • For new studies where Lexitas is contracted, you will lead the vendor set-up activities, ensuring a smooth and efficient onboarding process. You will also actively participate in vendor management meetings and provide regular status reporting, keeping all stakeholders informed of progress, potential risks, and performance metrics. A significant part of your role will be to control vendor spend, ensuring strict adherence to contracted terms and fostering a culture of long-term cost-saving behaviors without compromising quality or delivery.
• • This role demands a strong understanding of project management principles, coupled with specialized expertise in vendor management and procurement. You will act as the primary point of contact for our vendors, fostering strong, collaborative relationships that enable predictable project outcomes and drive continuous performance improvement across our vendor network. Your ability to assess complex problems, develop effective solutions, and communicate clearly with both internal and external stakeholders will be crucial to your success.
• • By effectively managing our vendor relationships, you will directly contribute to Lexitas's reputation as a leading ophthalmic product development organization. You will ensure that our partners receive exceptional service and that our projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest standards of quality. This is an exciting opportunity to make a significant impact within a growing and innovative company.