Lead - Vendor Management

About the role

Freshworks is looking for a Lead - Vendor Management to join and help transform the Procurement team. This person will be responsible for helping mature and develop a scalable vendor management process. The Vendor Management function supports supplier onboarding, contract routing, and triaging of sourcing requests. Over time, the role will expand into further operational improvements in the procurement process such as vendor compliance, company standards, vendor financial stability, risk assessments, and contract management. This is an opportunity to help direct the future of the Freshworks vendor management program, collaborating cross-functionally with Sourcing and other internal stakeholder partners.

Responsibilities

Current Responsibilities

• Coordinate the operational onboarding for new vendors, ensuring they follow company requirements.
• Support internal stakeholders and suppliers on a smooth onboarding process.
• Manage the operations of contract routing.
• Ensure alignment in procurement for consistent contract management.
• Provide support for internal business stakeholder engagement with the procurement team.
• Triage sourcing requests so they route through the proper process.

Future Responsibilities

• Ensure all active vendors maintain up-to-date documentation, including insurance certificates, NDAs, diversity certifications, and compliance records.
• Monitor Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) and Service Level Agreements (SLAs) tailored to different vendor tiers.
• Design and implement supplier scorecards to track delivery performance, quality, and cost competitiveness.
• Perform continuous risk assessments on the supplier base, identifying potential vulnerabilities (financial, geographical, operational, or geopolitical).
• Develop and maintain contingency plans (dual-sourcing strategies, safety stock targets) for critical suppliers to ensure business continuity.
• Keep internal stakeholders informed of supply market trends and external risks that could impact business operations.
• Track contract expiration dates and proactively initiate renewal or re-sourcing discussions with internal stakeholders.

Requirements

• 5+ years of experience in vendor management or procurement.
• Experience in establishing work processes, quality, productivity standards, and policies/procedures in procurement.
• Experience and understanding of the full P2P (Procure-to-Pay) processes.
• Knowledge of procurement tools and processes.
• Strong communication and collaboration capabilities.

Benefits

At Freshworks, you'll find inclusive teams, flexible thinking, and opportunities to grow your career while making work better for millions. Freshworks is committed to providing equal opportunity and believes that diversity in the workplace creates a more vibrant, richer environment that boosts the goals of our employees, communities, and business.

Pay

The annual base salary range for this position is $105,000 - $130,000. Compensation is based on a variety of factors including but not limited to location, experience, job-related skills, and level. Bonus/equity may be available.