Key Goal:
The Cisco Vendor Manager will be responsible for overseeing the strategic and operational relationships between the organization and Cisco as well as other related technology vendors. This role will focus on ensuring the company receives maximum value from its Cisco products and services, while ensuring compliance with contractual obligations, managing performance, and negotiating favorable terms and conditions.
Responsibilities (Managerial & Operational):

• Vendor Relationship Management: 

1. Serve as the primary point of contact for Cisco and other relevant technology vendors.
2. Build and maintain strong, positive relationships with Cisco sales teams, support teams, and senior management.
3. Ensure that vendor commitments and expectations are met, including product delivery, service levels, and quality standards. 
4. Keep up-to-date with Cisco’s product offerings, innovations, and trends in the technology industry to identify opportunities for improvement.
5. Organizing of events, taking part (presentations/trainings) in vendor relevant events.

• Contract Management & Negotiations: 

1. Negotiate contracts, deals, pricing, and service-level agreements (SLAs) with Cisco to ensure the company receives favorable terms.
2. Review and manage contractual obligations to ensure compliance and mitigate risks.
3. Coordinate contract renewals, amendments, and updates in partnership with internal teams (e.g., sales, finance, legal).
4. Maintaining deal registrations and follow-up.
5. Orders placement and tracking.

• Performance Monitoring & Reporting:

1. Track and monitor vendor performance against KPIs, SLAs, and contractual obligations.
2. Regularly report on vendor performance, including any issues, trends, and improvement initiatives.
3. Identify and resolve performance issues or service gaps with Cisco, escalating as needed.
4. Review and manage vendor qualification, certification, incentives, and other vendor programs.

• Collaboration: 

1. Work closely with internal teams (e.g., procurement, finance, legal) to align vendor strategies with business objectives.
2. Work with cross-functional teams such as IT, engineering, operations, and security to ensure that Cisco solutions are integrated and delivering value to the organization.
3. Collaborate with sales and project managers to ensure timely delivery of Cisco products and services in support of organizational initiatives.
4. Advise internal stakeholders on the latest developments in Cisco technology and assess how they can be leveraged to meet business needs. Development of marketing activities together with the marketing manager of the company.
5. Be considerate of co-workers.

• Reporting: 

1. Prepare and present regular reports on vendor performance and compliance.
2. Preparation of reports on the work done.
3. Execution of instructions and tasks of management.

Competencies (Soft Skills):

• Sociability, Multitasking, Flexibility and persistence.
• Negotiating and networking experience;
• Attention to Details.
• Accuracy with required recordkeeping;
• Positive Attitude;
• Responsibility;
• Attentiveness;
• Strong negotiation, communication, and interpersonal skills;
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities;
• Initiative;

Personnel specifications:
Education:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Information Technology, Supply Chain Management, or a related field. 

Experience:

• 5+ years of experience in vendor management, procurement, or a similar role, preferably with exposure to Cisco products and services.
• In-depth knowledge of Cisco products, services, and licensing models (e.g., Cisco Meraki, Cisco Webex, etc.).
• Specific areas of expertise:
• Ability to manage multiple stakeholders and competing priorities.
• Experience with contract management tools and procurement systems.
• Familiarity with IT infrastructure and enterprise networking technologies.
• Experience with Cisco certifications or related technical certifications is a plus.

Computer skills:

• Excel, Word, Outlook, Project, Visio, PowerPoint, 1C, Dynamics and specific IT vendors tools

Languages: 

• Azeri, Russian excellent, and English good in written and oral