Canadian Solar
IT Vendor Management and Procurement Specialist
Canadian Solar, San Francisco, California, United States, 94199
IT Vendor Management and Procurement Specialist
Location: Hybrid position located in Walnut Creek, CA office requiring three days per week in office. Canadian Solar is a leading manufacturer of solar panels, inverters, and energy storage solutions. We invest in our employees' growth through training and promotional opportunities and support work-life balance with flexible options. Our goal is to Make the Difference by creating a lasting positive impact on the world and the communities where we operate. Overview
We are seeking an IT Vendor Management and Procurement Specialist to support global IT operations. This role focuses on vendor management, IT procurement, contract governance, risk management, financial tracking, and project/program delivery. You will optimize vendor relationships, streamline procurement, ensure financial transparency, mitigate operational risks, and deliver programs with robust financial and operational controls. You will collaborate with IT, procurement, finance, compliance, risk, and legal teams worldwide to drive successful IT projects and services. Key Responsibilities
Manage the end-to-end lifecycle of IT vendor relationships, including selection, contract negotiation, onboarding, and offboarding. Track contract lifecycles, including renewals, expirations, and compliance milestones; proactively drive renewal and sourcing strategies. Support contract negotiations to optimize pricing, SLAs, and terms & conditions. Act as a primary point of contact between vendors and internal IT/business teams for contract, performance, and billing inquiries. Monitor vendor performance and conduct periodic reviews to ensure service quality and compliance. Maintain a centralized repository of all IT vendor contracts, categorized by business unit, region, and service type. IT Procurement & Compliance
Coordinate global IT procurement processes, ensuring compliance with corporate procurement policies and regional regulations. Partner with IT finance and procurement teams to manage IT operating and capital budgets, including purchase orders, invoice processing, accruals, and cost allocations. Provide financial analysis and reporting on IT vendor spend, ensuring alignment with project budgets and annual operating plans. Support financial forecasting, cost optimization initiatives, and spend consolidation efforts. PMO and Project Support
Support PMO governance processes, ensuring vendor deliverables and procurement activities align with project delivery goals and timelines. Collaborate with project managers to ensure vendor contributions are delivered on time and within scope. Contribute to PMO reporting and dashboards, highlighting contract status, vendor performance, financial risks, and procurement bottlenecks. Identify, assess, and track IT operational risks and vendor-related risks across contracts, service delivery, and procurement activities. Work with cybersecurity, legal, and compliance teams to ensure vendor engagements meet risk, privacy, and security requirements. Maintain risk registers and escalate critical vendor or project risks to IT leadership and the risk management office. Assist in audits and risk assessments related to vendor compliance, license usage, and IT controls. Promote adherence to risk management frameworks (e.g., ISO 27001, NIST, SOX) across IT operations and third-party engagements. Process Governance and Documentation
Standardize and document IT procurement, vendor engagement processes, contract templates, and workflows. Ensure procurement, contract, and vendor documentation is maintained, compliant, and easily accessible for global teams. Cross-functional Collaboration
Work cross-functionally with procurement, legal, finance, and business unit leaders to align vendor engagements and contract terms with strategic goals. Assist business units in understanding vendor capabilities and existing contracts to avoid duplication or gaps. Serve as a cultural and language bridge for cross-border collaboration, particularly with Chinese vendors and teams. Required Qualifications
7 10 years of experience in a PMO, IT procurement, IT financial management, or vendor management role. Strong understanding of IT vendor lifecycle management, contract negotiation, and procurement processes. Experience managing IT Financials, including purchase orders, invoicing, and budget tracking. Proven track record of supporting global IT operations in a matrixed, multicultural environment. Proficiency with tools such as SharePoint, ServiceNow, Excel, and project tracking platforms (e.g., Smartsheet, MS Project, Jira). Excellent organizational and communication skills with strong attention to detail. Fluency in Mandarin Chinese and English, both written and spoken. Preferred Qualifications
Experience working in global IT environments with multiple business units and regions, especially in China and North America. Familiarity with legal, compliance, risk, and procurement processes related to IT contracts. PMP, CAPM, or equivalent project management certification a plus. IT outsourcing and risk control experience or certification will be a big plus. PMO or project management certification like Scrum Master or SixSigma is nice to have. Prior experience supporting manufacturing or energy sectors is a plus. Compensation and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $85,000 - $110,000 USD. This range represents annual base salary only and does not include quarterly bonus or other incentives or benefits that may apply. Canadian Solar offers a competitive salary plus fully comprehensive benefits and performance bonus package based on an annual objective achievement, including a 401(k) Retirement Plan, medical/dental/life/disability program, PTO time, and casual sick days. Canadian Solar Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status. Note
Referrals and related job listings are not essential to the role description and are omitted here to maintain focus on responsibilities and requirements. #J-18808-Ljbffr
Location: Hybrid position located in Walnut Creek, CA office requiring three days per week in office. Canadian Solar is a leading manufacturer of solar panels, inverters, and energy storage solutions. We invest in our employees' growth through training and promotional opportunities and support work-life balance with flexible options. Our goal is to Make the Difference by creating a lasting positive impact on the world and the communities where we operate. Overview
We are seeking an IT Vendor Management and Procurement Specialist to support global IT operations. This role focuses on vendor management, IT procurement, contract governance, risk management, financial tracking, and project/program delivery. You will optimize vendor relationships, streamline procurement, ensure financial transparency, mitigate operational risks, and deliver programs with robust financial and operational controls. You will collaborate with IT, procurement, finance, compliance, risk, and legal teams worldwide to drive successful IT projects and services. Key Responsibilities
Manage the end-to-end lifecycle of IT vendor relationships, including selection, contract negotiation, onboarding, and offboarding. Track contract lifecycles, including renewals, expirations, and compliance milestones; proactively drive renewal and sourcing strategies. Support contract negotiations to optimize pricing, SLAs, and terms & conditions. Act as a primary point of contact between vendors and internal IT/business teams for contract, performance, and billing inquiries. Monitor vendor performance and conduct periodic reviews to ensure service quality and compliance. Maintain a centralized repository of all IT vendor contracts, categorized by business unit, region, and service type. IT Procurement & Compliance
Coordinate global IT procurement processes, ensuring compliance with corporate procurement policies and regional regulations. Partner with IT finance and procurement teams to manage IT operating and capital budgets, including purchase orders, invoice processing, accruals, and cost allocations. Provide financial analysis and reporting on IT vendor spend, ensuring alignment with project budgets and annual operating plans. Support financial forecasting, cost optimization initiatives, and spend consolidation efforts. PMO and Project Support
Support PMO governance processes, ensuring vendor deliverables and procurement activities align with project delivery goals and timelines. Collaborate with project managers to ensure vendor contributions are delivered on time and within scope. Contribute to PMO reporting and dashboards, highlighting contract status, vendor performance, financial risks, and procurement bottlenecks. Identify, assess, and track IT operational risks and vendor-related risks across contracts, service delivery, and procurement activities. Work with cybersecurity, legal, and compliance teams to ensure vendor engagements meet risk, privacy, and security requirements. Maintain risk registers and escalate critical vendor or project risks to IT leadership and the risk management office. Assist in audits and risk assessments related to vendor compliance, license usage, and IT controls. Promote adherence to risk management frameworks (e.g., ISO 27001, NIST, SOX) across IT operations and third-party engagements. Process Governance and Documentation
Standardize and document IT procurement, vendor engagement processes, contract templates, and workflows. Ensure procurement, contract, and vendor documentation is maintained, compliant, and easily accessible for global teams. Cross-functional Collaboration
Work cross-functionally with procurement, legal, finance, and business unit leaders to align vendor engagements and contract terms with strategic goals. Assist business units in understanding vendor capabilities and existing contracts to avoid duplication or gaps. Serve as a cultural and language bridge for cross-border collaboration, particularly with Chinese vendors and teams. Required Qualifications
7 10 years of experience in a PMO, IT procurement, IT financial management, or vendor management role. Strong understanding of IT vendor lifecycle management, contract negotiation, and procurement processes. Experience managing IT Financials, including purchase orders, invoicing, and budget tracking. Proven track record of supporting global IT operations in a matrixed, multicultural environment. Proficiency with tools such as SharePoint, ServiceNow, Excel, and project tracking platforms (e.g., Smartsheet, MS Project, Jira). Excellent organizational and communication skills with strong attention to detail. Fluency in Mandarin Chinese and English, both written and spoken. Preferred Qualifications
Experience working in global IT environments with multiple business units and regions, especially in China and North America. Familiarity with legal, compliance, risk, and procurement processes related to IT contracts. PMP, CAPM, or equivalent project management certification a plus. IT outsourcing and risk control experience or certification will be a big plus. PMO or project management certification like Scrum Master or SixSigma is nice to have. Prior experience supporting manufacturing or energy sectors is a plus. Compensation and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $85,000 - $110,000 USD. This range represents annual base salary only and does not include quarterly bonus or other incentives or benefits that may apply. Canadian Solar offers a competitive salary plus fully comprehensive benefits and performance bonus package based on an annual objective achievement, including a 401(k) Retirement Plan, medical/dental/life/disability program, PTO time, and casual sick days. Canadian Solar Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer (EOE). Qualified applicants are considered for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, disability, or veteran status. Note
Referrals and related job listings are not essential to the role description and are omitted here to maintain focus on responsibilities and requirements. #J-18808-Ljbffr