Vendor Operations Associate

Vendor Operations Associate (Contract)
Location: South San Francisco, CA
Work Model: Hybrid (3 Days Onsite / 2 Days Remote)
Schedule: Monday-Friday | Standard 8-Hour Shift
Employment Type: Contract
Drive Operational Excellence Across Vendor Management and Procurement
We are seeking a detail-oriented Vendor Operations Associate to support vendor contracting, purchase order management, invoice processing, and supplier onboarding activities within a fast-paced corporate environment. This role is ideal for professionals with experience in vendor management, procurement operations, contract administration, purchasing systems, and stakeholder engagement who enjoy improving processes and supporting cross-functional teams.

As a key operational partner, you will serve as the central point of coordination between Marketing, Finance, Procurement, and external service providers, ensuring vendor relationships, contracts, and purchasing activities are executed efficiently, accurately, and compliantly.
What You'll Do Contract Management & Vendor Operations

• Manage self-service vendor contracts from initiation through execution, ensuring compliance with approved templates, master service agreements, and internal approval requirements.
• Support the processing of full-service vendor agreements and healthcare professional (HCP) contracting requests.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for vendors, suppliers, agency partners, and internal stakeholders throughout the contract lifecycle.
• Coordinate onboarding activities to ensure agency partners gain access to required systems, tools, and resources.
• Collaborate with internal contract management teams to enhance templates, workflows, and contracting processes.

Purchase Order & Invoice Management

• Create, manage, and track purchase orders within procurement systems, ensuring timely processing and approval.
• Support complex, multiline invoice processing while maintaining compliance with financial and procurement policies.
• Respond to stakeholder inquiries regarding purchase orders, contracts, and procurement processes.
• Maintain accurate procurement, contract, and invoicing documentation.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & System Support

• Partner with Finance and Procurement teams to optimize purchase order structures, reporting accuracy, and account coding.
• Monitor workflows, identify bottlenecks, and resolve operational issues to maintain business continuity.
• Submit and coordinate IT support requests related to procurement and contracting systems.
• Deliver training and guidance to project owners on contracting, purchasing, and procurement processes.

Key Areas of Impact Operational Efficiency

• Streamline contract execution, purchase order creation, invoice processing, and vendor onboarding activities.
• Improve workflow efficiency and reduce administrative burden for internal teams.

Vendor & Stakeholder Support

• Serve as a trusted resource for contracting, purchasing, and vendor management questions.
• Build productive relationships with vendors, suppliers, agency partners, and business stakeholders.

Compliance & Financial Accuracy

• Ensure proper use of approved contract templates and adherence to procurement policies.
• Support risk mitigation through accurate documentation, purchase order management, and financial controls.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Experience in vendor operations, contract management, procurement, purchasing, supplier management, or related business operations functions.
• Strong understanding of purchase order processes, procurement workflows, and contract administration.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to prioritize competing demands and work independently.
• Experience supporting cross-functional teams and external vendors.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with contract lifecycle management, procurement systems, or ERP platforms.
• Knowledge of healthcare compliance, vendor contracting, or regulated business environments.
• Familiarity with purchase order management, invoicing, and procurement operations.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook), Google Workspace, and Mac OS.
• Basic accounting or billing knowledge to support purchase order structuring and financial accuracy.
• Experience leading process improvement initiatives.
• Ability to travel occasionally as business needs require.

Why Join This Opportunity?

• Work in a highly visible role supporting vendor management, procurement, and operational excellence.
• Partner with Finance, Procurement, and business stakeholders across multiple functions.
• Gain exposure to contract administration, supplier management, purchasing operations, and process optimization.
• Help improve business efficiency while ensuring compliance and financial accuracy.
• Hybrid work environment offering a balance of onsite collaboration and remote flexibility.

Keywords: Vendor Operations Associate, Vendor Management, Contract Management, Procurement Specialist, Purchase Order Management, Procurement Operations, Supplier Management, Contract Administration, Invoice Processing, ERP Systems, Vendor Onboarding, Procurement Analyst, Purchasing Operations, Stakeholder Management, Contract Lifecycle Management, Process Improvement, Financial Compliance.