Lead, IT Vendor Management

Job Summary:
The Lead, IT Vendor Management leads the management of Porter Airlines’ technology vendor portfolio, ensuring strategic alignment, performance excellence, and cost optimization across the IT organization. Reporting to the Vice President, Architecture, Infrastructure and Operations, this role establishes and reinforces vendor management practices that support operational resilience, contractual compliance, and long-term value creation. The Lead monitors vendor performance, justifies renewal and investment decisions, and drives cost-saving opportunities in collaboration with IT Procurement, IT leadership, and business stakeholders. This role also advises internal teams on vendor strategy, delegates ownership of specific contracts where appropriate, and fosters strong, accountable partnerships with external providers.

Duties & Responsibilities:

- Manage relationships between Porter and technology system vendors, ensuring alignment with contractual obligations and operational goals
- Create and maintain an up-to-date catalogue of all IT vendors that enables Porter to manage and measure its vendors related to their contracts, including terms, service-level agreements/objectives, renewal dates, and expiry timelines
- Serve as a primary liaison and escalation point between Porter IT and external vendors for both routine operations and incident responses
- Lead regular vendor review meetings with top vendors by spend and criticality, in collaboration with IT leadership
- Monitor service levels against contracted commitments and escalate performance issues as required
- Track ongoing vendor spend compared to forecast, and support development of forward-looking budgets
- Collect and synthesize feedback about vendors from internal stakeholders and from vendors to improve service and delivery
- Identify, justify and support cost savings initiatives through vendor negotiations, consolidations, or alternative solutions
- Partner closely with IT Procurement and IT leadership to advise on sourcing strategies and contract renewals
- Conduct external market research to identify comparative vendor options and stay informed on industry trends
- Prepare and present vendor-related reporting and presentations for leadership reviews
- Any other duties assigned by IT leadership
- Actively participate in Porter’s Safety Management System (SMS) including reporting hazards and incidents encountered in daily operations; understand, comply and promote the Company Safety Policy

Behavioural Competencies:
**Concern for Safety**: Identifying hazardous or potentially hazardous situations and taking appropriate action to maintain a safe environment for self and others.**Teamwork**: Working collaboratively with others to achieve organizational goals.**Passenger/Customer Service**: Providing service excellence to internal and/or external customers (passengers).**Initiative**: Dealing with situations and issues proactively and persistently, seizing opportunities that arise.**Results Focus**: Focusing efforts on achieving high quality results consistent with the organization’s standards.**Fostering Communication**: Listening and communicating openly, honestly, and respectfully with different audiences, promoting dialogue and building consensus.

Qualifications:

- Post-secondary education in business, supply chain, technology, or a related field
- 5 or more years of experience in vendor management, procurement, or IT Operations.
- Proficiency in Google Suite and Microsoft Office tools
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, with the ability to prioritize and manage competing demands
- Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills, including experience navigating cross-functional environments
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to synthesize data into actionable insights and executive-ready reporting
- Familiarity with contract management, vendor scorecards, and service level tracking is an asset
- Collaborative, proactive mindset with an interest in continuous improvement
- Knowledge of the aviation industry an asset

Company Description: