VP, Vendor Management

Primerica is a leading provider of financial products and services, including life insurance and asset management, to middle-income households in North America. The Vice President of Strategic Vendor Management is a senior leadership role responsible for establishing and overseeing a centralized vendor management function. This position will play a critical role in developing, implementing, and enforcing company-wide policies and procedures that govern the sourcing, evaluation, negotiation, and ongoing oversight of third-party vendors.
The VP will ensure that vendor partnerships support the company’s strategic objectives, regulatory obligations, and risk management standards while driving cost efficiency, performance, and innovation. This leader will collaborate closely with legal, compliance, Finance, ETO, IT, operations, and business units to ensure consistent, transparent, and value-driven vendor engagement across the enterprise.

• Develop and lead a centralized Strategic Vendor Management Office (VMO) to streamline all third-party sourcing and vendor activities.
• Design and implement vendor management policies, procedures, and frameworks that align with corporate goals, regulatory requirements, and industry best practices.
• Establish and oversee a comprehensive vendor governance model, including decision economics, business sustainability, segmentation, performance reviews, risk assessments, and exit strategies.
• Through improved strategic vendor management, Identify, drive and deliver on cost saving opportunities while maintaining and / or improving on service levels.

• Lead strategic sourcing initiatives including RFIs, RFPs, and RFQs to ensure competitive and transparent bidding processes.
• Collaborate with Legal team to standardize contract negotiation protocols and oversee the end-to-end contract lifecycle, including terms negotiation, renewals, and compliance.
• Partner with Legal/compliance, Finance and IT to ensure all contracts meet regulatory / risk standards, financial control and economic soundness, and data privacy and cybersecurity.

• Develop and maintain a vendor performance evaluation process, including KPIs, SLAs, and regular scorecards.
• Drive continuous improvement and innovation by fostering strong, value-based relationships with strategic partners.
• Proactively identify vendor-related risks and implement mitigation plans in partnership with enterprise risk management and legal teams.
• Identify and implement appropriate tools and technology to support the organization’s strategic vendor management goals and objectives

• Collaborate with Finance to manage vendor budgets, forecast expenditures, identify and drive cost-saving opportunities, while balancing service level needs for all parts of the business.
• Monitor vendor spend and ensure alignment with financial goals and procurement strategies.

• Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing vendor management team.
• Promote a culture of accountability, transparency, and operational excellence within the function.

• Strong strategic thinking and problem-solving skills with an enterprise mindset.
• Exceptional negotiation and conflict resolution abilities.
• Experience developing and implementing enterprise-wide policies and procedures.
• Proven track record in managing complex vendor ecosystems and driving performance improvements.
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills at the executive level.

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Supply Chain Management, Finance, or related field; MBA or advanced degree preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive leadership experience in vendor management, sourcing, or procurement, preferably within financial services or insurance.
• Deep understanding of contract law, third-party risk management, and regulatory frameworks.
• Familiarity with vendor management and procurement platforms

• Certifications such as Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM), Certified Third Party Risk Professional (CTPRP), or Certified Outsourcing Professional (COP).
• Experience with vendor management in regulated environments (e.g., financial services, healthcare).
• Knowledge of IT and digital procurement strategies.

Yes

• Day one health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) Plan with competitive employer match
• Vacation, sick, holiday and volunteer time off
• Life and disability insurance
• Flexible Spending Account & Health Savings Account
• Professional development
• Tuition reimbursement
• Company-sponsored social and philanthropy events