Vendor Manager Job at WIOCC Nigeria Limited

WIOCC is the leading player in the deployment of carrier-scale, future-proofed network infrastructure into Africa. We have the flexibility and scale to meet the ever-growing demand for reliable, high-speed capacity throughout Africa, driven by end consumers, enterprise users and the ecosystem that supports them. Our policy of continual investment in our network to create Africa’s first, truly hyperscale network infrastructure means ongoing investment for growth, ensuring our readiness to meet the future data volume demands of end users throughout Africa.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Position: Vendor Manager

Job Location: Lagos
Job type: Full-time (On-site)
Department: Finance

Job Objective

• The Vendor Manager is responsible for managing WIOCC’s strategic supplier ecosystem to support the delivery of network programmes, customer projects and operational activities.
• This includes evaluating and onboarding service providers, negotiating commercial agreements, monitoring performance against SLAs, resolving delivery obstacles and driving supplier improvements.
• The role ensures that all vendors deliver on time, within budget and at the required quality standard.
• By controlling vendor performance, the Vendor Manager enables revenue acceleration, improved customer experience and reduced delivery risk.

Key Duties and Responsibilities
Vendor Strategy and Planning:

• Develop and implement the vendor management strategy aligned to business plans
• Identify supplier gaps to match future expansion (network build, POP expansion, fibre access projects)
• Maintain a vendor capacity matrix per region
• Work with PMO to forecast workload and match vendor capacity pipeline to delivery plans
• Work with Hyperscale's Engagement Director to align on the commercial and operational implications of a back-to-back deal involving Hyperscale's

Vendor Selection, Sourcing and Onboarding:

• Support RFP/RFQ preparation, issuance, evaluation, and vendor shortlisting
• Lead commercial and delivery-related negotiations with shortlisted suppliers
• Manage vendor due diligence checks covering: financial stability, track record and capability, HSSE policies, resource availability & equipment
• Facilitate contract award and onboarding into WIOCC systems

Contracting, Compliance and SLA Governance:

• Draft, negotiate and execute supplier contracts with Procurement and Legal oversight
• Ensure SLA terms reflect: delivery timelines, downtime guarantees, workmanship standards, penalties for delay or non-performance
• Monitor adherence to contractual obligations and maintain renewal/expiry calendars
• Implement systematic compliance audits and remedial plans

Vendor Performance Management:

• Develop vendor scorecards with KPIs including On-time delivery, Quality pass rates, Rework/defect frequency, Responsiveness and communication, and safety compliance
• Run monthly/quarterly performance reviews with each vendor
• Track and escalate underperformance with corrective action plans
• Recommend vendor expansion or decommissioning based on performance
• Work with Service Management, Network Operations and the Hyperscale's Engagement Director

Project Delivery Support:

• Serve as the primary vendor escalation point for PMO, Engineering and Operations
• Resolve delays in mobilization, material delivery, site access, installation, testing and invoicing
• Ensure rapid communication to keep projects moving
• Maintain accurate vendor delivery status reporting

Cost Control and Value Optimization:

• Benchmark vendor pricing across countries/vendors to ensure competitiveness
• Track spend vs budget by vendor and project category
• Identify opportunities for: aggregated procurement, volume discounts, standard price lists, cost avoidance through planning
• Support Finance with accruals and cost forecasting
• Work with Engineering and Hyperscale Engagement Director to track spending vs budget by vendor and project category

Risk Management and Issue Escalation:

• Identify delivery bottlenecks and future risks per vendor
• Maintain a vendor risk register and mitigation plans
• Manage escalation workflows across vendor management, PMO, Engineering, and Legal
• Resolve disputes related to delays, quality issues or scope deviation

Relationship and Stakeholder Management:

• Maintain strong working relationships with vendor leadership and operations teams
• Engage cross-functional stakeholders (Procurement, PMO, Engineering, Network Ops, Logistics, Finance, Service Management and Hyperscale's Engagement Director)
• Build strong internal partnerships to meet delivery and cost targets
• Represent WIOCC professionally in vendor forums and negotiation sessions

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Business Administration or similar with 5-7 years in: Vendor management, Supply chain, technical project delivery
• Telecom/Pan-African infrastructure experience preferred
• Demonstrated ability to lead contract and commercial negotiations
• Strong risk, compliance and SLA administration knowledge

Skills and Competencies:
Technical:

• Contract negotiation and legal understanding
• Vendor management methodologies
• Telecom infrastructure knowledge (DWDM, IP, fibre build, POP power and civil works)
• ERP experience (NetSuite ideal)
• PO management, invoicing, cost tracking

Behavioral:

• Time-sensitive problem solving
• Strong influencing and escalation skills
• Relationship-building across cultures and countries
• Persuasive communication and report writing
• Ability to prioritise workload across multiple vendors simultaneously
• Calm under pressure, especially when managing delays

Attributes:

• Client focused, relationship builder
• Integrity, honest with highest ethical standards
• Boundless, passionate, and flexible
• Personal excellence, accuracy, and attention to detail
• Collaborative, achieve results through teamwork and partnerships