Telecommunications & Vendor Relations

Location:

Montréal, QC, CA, H3B 1S6 Toronto, ON, CA Moncton, NB, CA Saskatoon, SK, CA Vancouver, BC, CA Mississauga, ON, CA, L4Z 3X6 Calgary, AB, CA #job-location.job-location-inline { display: inline; }

Job ID: 55480

Jobs by Category: Sales and Marketing

Function: Sales and Professional Services

Employment Status: Full-time

Schedule: Permanent

About the Team

Our Global Procurement and Vendor Management team is a strategic function within TPS that supports Telus' international expansion in North America, LATAM, APAC, EMEA, and emerging markets. We work in partnership with key suppliers to optimize costs, manage risks, and drive innovation across our entire telecommunications infrastructure. The work you do in this role directly influences the selection of suppliers that become Telus' strategic partners, shapes the terms of contracts that protect the organization, and determines the cost and quality outcomes that make our international growth sustainable.

The Role

As a Vendor Manager, you will play several roles: strategist, negotiator, analyst, and relationship builder. Your primary mission is to ensure that Telus obtains the best value and service from our global telecommunications suppliers while building partnerships that support long-term growth. This is a global role with a true multi-regional responsibility — you do not manage a single geography; you orchestrate relationships with suppliers across five regions simultaneously, meaning strategic thinking at a large scale.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Vendor Management (35%)

Develop and execute a global vendor strategy aligned with Telus' international expansion roadmap

Identify, evaluate, and integrate new telecommunications services suppliers and technology partners in North America, LATAM, APAC, EMEA, and emerging markets

Lead vendor due diligence, including financial stability assessments, regulatory compliance, and capability evaluations

Build long-term strategic partnerships with key suppliers to drive innovation and cost efficiency

Manage vendor scorecards and performance indicators across service level, quality, delivery, and cost dimensions

Lead quarterly business reviews with strategic suppliers; escalate performance issues and drive improvement plans

Negotiation and Contract Management (30%)

Negotiate complex master service agreements, purchase agreements, and service level agreements worth millions of dollars with global suppliers, securing favorable payment terms, price locks, and protections against currency and regulatory risks

Navigate the complexity of multi-jurisdictional requirements, including tax implications, local regulations, and data protection (GDPR, local privacy laws)

Manage the contract lifecycle from procurement to renewal or termination

Coordinate with Legal and Finance teams on contract terms, risk allocation, and compliance requirements

Maintain a centralized contract repository with version control and compliance tracking

Global Spend Management (25%)

Manage spend visibility and cost optimization across international markets — identify opportunities for consolidation and renegotiation through supplier consolidation, renegotiation, and market benchmarking

Implement spend visibility tools and analytics to track supplier spend by category, region, and cost center

Develop and manage vendor budgets with direct responsibility for cost variance analysis and cost forecasting

Lead procurement initiatives for large capex projects, including network equipment, infrastructure deployment, and technology upgrades

Optimize pricing through volume discounts, multi-year agreements, and competitive RFP processes

Prepare spend reports and recommendations for senior leadership

Vendor Relationship Management (10%)

Serve as the primary point of contact for key strategic suppliers; manage escalations and resolve disputes in a timely and professional manner

Work closely with Finance, Legal, and Regional Operations teams to align vendor strategy with business priorities

Represent Telus at industry forums, supplier conferences, and professional trade shows

Communicate clearly and regularly on supplier requirements, roadmap changes, and performance expectations

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Finance, Engineering, or related field, or equivalent professional experience in vendor management

Experience

• Minimum 7 years in vendor management or procurement roles

Minimum 5 years managing global suppliers and cross-border procurement across multiple jurisdictions

Demonstrated experience in the telecommunications, network infrastructure, or related technology industry with a proven track record of understanding the regulatory, technical, and operational nuances of telecommunications supplier relationships

Proven track record of managing vendor relationships with multiple international suppliers across different geographies and regulatory environments

Demonstrated experience in cost reduction initiatives with an understanding of the impact on P&L

Technical Skills

Proficiency in SAP, Ariba, or equivalent procurement platforms (you don't need to be an expert, but the ability to navigate the system is essential)

Strong financial knowledge, including P&L management, cost analysis, and budgeting

Mastery of contract management, negotiation, and understanding of the legal and compliance implications of multi-jurisdictional contracts

Proficiency in vendor scorecard and spend analysis tools

Intermediate to advanced Excel and business intelligence tools

Core Skills

Proven track record of negotiating complex multi-million-dollar contracts with suppliers across different geographies and regulatory environments

Strategic thinking with the ability to align vendor strategy with business objectives and international expansion roadmap

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to work with complex financial and operational data

Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills with executive teams, suppliers, and cross-functional teams

Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities across global regions with competing deadlines

Cultural sensitivity and ability to work effectively across multiple geographies and time zones. You approach cross-border challenges with curiosity and flexibility, have experience managing suppliers from different cultures, and are comfortable working asynchronously.

Compliance and Regulation Knowledge

Practical knowledge of international trade regulations, tariffs, and compliance requirements

Knowledge of data protection and cybersecurity requirements in telecommunications (GDPR, local regulations)

Familiarity with anti-corruption laws (FCPA, 2010 Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act) and ethical procurement practices

Preferred Qualifications

Previous experience in international expansion or geographic market entry initiatives