Blend makes the process of getting a loan simpler, faster, and safer. With its digital lending platform, Blend helps financial institutions including Wells Fargo and U.S. Bank increase productivity and deliver exceptional customer experiences. The company processes nearly $2 billion in loans daily, helping millions of consumers gain access to the capital they need to lead better lives.
Blend is looking for a dynamic individual to join our Legal & Compliance team who’s ready to tackle challenges - the more complex the better. As Strategic Sourcing Manager, you’ll have a broad range of responsibilities as you provide subject matter expertise, business acumen and negotiation skills to maximize value from our third-party relationships. This procurement role is an excellent opportunity for a self-starter to be part of an expanding team, partnering with business partners and risk owners to actively manage risks, and generate cost savings and cultivate relationships that align with Blend’s goals and priorities.
Blend’s Legal & Compliance team is responsible for navigating Blend's broad market impact through an evolving and complex financial, legal, and regulatory environment. Specifically, the Strategic Sourcing Manager will support vendor selection, business terms negotiations and category strategy. Other responsibilities include implementing a risk-based approach to vendor lifecycle management, from selection and onboarding to continuous monitoring and oversight.
How you'll contribute:
- Review commercial agreements and lead business term negotiations to drive value and efficiencies across the organization
- Act as a trusted consultant to business owners in vendor selection (sourcing events), requirements gathering (defining SLAs), vendor performance management and category strategies
- Oversee vendor onboarding activities including planning, inherent risk assessment and initial due diligence
- Partner cross-functionally with Legal & Compliance, Finance, Security, IT, and other risk stakeholders to identify, mitigate and manage third-party risks
- Collaborate with business owners on vendor oversight and monitoring activities, including QBRs, annual reviews, onsite visits, vendor scorecards and performance surveys
- Lead continuous improvement efforts such as vendor rationalization, optimizing existing relationships, managing residuals risks and ensuring program compliance
- Consistently provide a high level of service through effective communications with a keen sense of urgency
- Generate periodic and ad hoc reports, and create dashboards with key metrics
- Maintain and iterate use of our third-party assessments and contract management platforms
Who you are:
- 6+ years of procurement, vendor management, consulting, and/or risk management experience in a fast-paced environment
- Contract negotiations expertise, including understanding key commercial terms, issue spotting and developing robust SLAs
- Strategic sourcing experience across technology and non-technology categories
- Skilled at defining, influencing and driving procurement category strategies
- Outstanding business acumen and creative problem solving to get to “yes”
- Experience developing and scaling procurement and vendor management programs
- Strong critical thinking, project management and execution abilities
- Skilled at building dashboards and generating reports
Bonus points:
- Professional accreditation in procurement or sourcing
- Experience at a cloud technology or FinTech company
- Relevant experience in consumer finance/mortgage space
Benefits and perks:
- Meaningful equity and a 401(k) plan
- Comprehensive health benefits
- Sponsored gym memberships, ClassPass credits, or wellness stipend
- Lunch, dinner, snacks, and Pizza Fridays
- On-site meditation, yoga, and massage
- Flexible work schedule, with open vacation policy
- 4 months of paid parental or personal leave
- Convenient location, with parking programs, and flexible commuter options
Blend is an equal opportunity employer that values diversity, inclusion and belonging. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status disability status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We will consider for employment all qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records in a manner consistent with applicable law, including the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance.
Notice at Collection for California Applicants