**Now Brewing – vendor relations lead, Center of Excellence #tobeapartner** From the beginning, Starbucks set out to be a different kind of company. One that not only celebrated coffee and the rich tradition, but that also brought a feeling of connection. We are known for developing extraordinary leaders who share this passion and are guided by their service to others. At Starbucks, we're passionate about creating connections - with our customers, our partners, and the communities we serve. We're building a world-class vendor (MSP) management capability that will transform how we partner with managed service providers to deliver exceptional business outcomes. As Vendor Relations Lead, you'll play a pivotal role in shaping our strategic approach to vendor partnerships, driving performance excellence, and building sustainable competitive advantage through our MSP relationships. About Central Capabilities Central Capabilities serves as Starbucks' Center of Excellence for Managed Service Provider relationships. We manage strategic vendor partnerships across the complete lifecycle - from identifying opportunities to driving continuous improvement. Our team ensures consistent governance, cost optimization, and innovation across Starbucks' MSP portfolio, partnering closely with business units to deliver operational excellence. Role Summary The Vendor Relations Lead builds and stewards Starbucks’ managed service provider (MSP) relationships - driving performance, governance, and commercial value across the portfolio. This role establishes enterprise standards for vendor engagement, leads performance and relationship management, partners on contracting and commercial discussions, and advances our portfolio strategy to ensure consistent outcomes, innovation, and cost effectiveness. **Key Responsibilities** Governance & Frameworks • Design and maintain enterprise governance for MSPs (operating cadence, QBR templates, scorecards, escalation paths, risk/compliance checkpoints). • Define and continuously improve SLA/KPI standards and performance measurement methodologies. • Stand up and facilitate the Vendor Management Council and cross‑functional governance routines. Vendor Relationship & Performance Management • Own executive‑level relationships with MSP leadership; create joint account plans and action registers. • Lead performance reviews, corrective action plans, and executive readouts; ensure measurable improvements and transparency. • Benchmark performance across vendors and lines of service; foster best‑practice sharing. Commercial & Contracting Partnership • Partner with Strategic Sourcing/Legal on contract strategy, renewals, rate cards, and commercial negotiations; provide market insights and scenario analysis. • Monitor commercial health (spend, variance, savings, credits); ensure adherence to commercial terms and value‑realization goals. Portfolio Strategy & Optimization • Maintain the MSP portfolio strategy (vendor segmentation, consolidation/expansion recommendations, capability mapping). • Lead RFP/RFI processes in partnership with Procurement; drive competitive selection and healthy vendor economics. • Conduct risk assessment and diversification planning across vendors and regions. Enterprise Leadership & Communication • Build executive materials (portfolio health, risk, roadmap, investment asks); brief senior leaders regularly. • Champion a vendor‑management Center of Excellence; enable business units with playbooks, training, and toolkits. • Coach peers and partners on effective vendor behaviors and outcomes. Qualifications Required • 7+ years in vendor management, strategic sourcing, or management consulting, with direct ownership of large MSP relationships. • Proven experience establishing and operating vendor governance frameworks. • Strong executive presence and stakeholder influence; skilled in performance storytelling using data. • Commercial acumen and experience supporting negotiations and contract strategies. • Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience Preferred • Experience in BPO/shared services/GBS environments. • RFP leadership and competitive selection expertise. • MBA or relevant advanced degree; certifications (e.g., CPSM, CPM, PMP) a plus. As a Starbucks partner, you (and your family) will have access to medical, dental, vision, basic and supplemental life insurance, and other voluntary insurance benefits. Partners have access to short-term and long-term disability, paid parental leave, family expansion reimbursement, paid vacation from date of hire*, sick time (accrued at 1 hour for every 25 hours worked), eight paid holidays, and two personal days per year. Starbucks also offers eligible partners participation in a 401(k) retirement plan with employer match, a discounted company stock program (S.I.P.), Starbucks equity program (Bean Stock), incentivized emergency savings, and financial well-being tools. Additionally, Starbucks offers 100% upfront tuition coverage for a first-time bachelor’s degree through Arizona State University’s online program via the Starbucks College Achievement Plan, student loan management resources, and access to other educational opportunities. You will also have access to backup care and DACA reimbursement. Starbucks will comply with any applicable state and local laws regarding employee leave benefits, including, but not limited to providing time off pursuant to the Colorado Healthy Families and Workplaces Act, and in accordance with its plans and policies. This list is subject to change depending on collective bargaining in locations where partners have a certified bargaining representative. For additional information regarding partner perks and more detailed information about benefits, go to starbucksbenefits.com. *If you are working in CA, CO, IL, LA, ME, MA, NE, ND or RI, you will accrue vacation up to a maximum of 120 hours (190 in CA) for roles below director and 200 hours (316 in CA) for roles at director or above. For roles in other states, you will be granted vacation time starting at 120 hours annually for roles below director and 200 hours annually for roles director and above. The actual base pay offered to the successful candidate will be based on multiple factors, including but not limited to job-related knowledge/skills, experience, geographical location, and internal equity. At Starbucks, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at the high end of the range for their role, and compensation decisions are dependent upon the facts and circumstances of each position and candidate. We believe we do our best work when we're together, which is why we're onsite four days a week. **Join us and inspire with every cup. Apply today!** _Starbucks Coffee Company is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law._ _Qualified applicants with criminal histories will be considered for employment in a manner consistent with all federal, state and local ordinances._ _Starbucks Coffee Company is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to job applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, please contact us at applicantaccommodation@starbucks.com or 1(888) 611-2258._