Vendor Manager, Publishing Operations
RemoteUnited Kingdom or New York, United States
Job Summary
Oversee vendor use in end-to-end publishing workflows, ensuring a joined-up approach that removes departmental silos and promotes cross-functional scoping from submission to publication. Lead contract negotiations, RFP processes, and onboarding for suppliers, serving as the primary point of contact while managing forecast headcount and budget requirements. Maintain awareness of supplier strengths and risks, developing risk-reward scenarios for renewals and optimizing SLAs based on forecast volumes. Establish onboarding best practices, KPIs, and auditing frameworks to track adherence, coordinate feedback, and drive remediation plans where service falls below standards. Collaborate with internal stakeholders and legal to update contracts, prioritize development of tracking tools, and support regular site visits to ensure continuous improvement and operational resilience.
Required Qualifications
- Extensive experience in developing and maintaining productive relationships with editorial and/or publishing services providers
- Experience in sourcing vendors and managing RFI/RFP processes and onboarding
- Experience in developing and maintaining long-term, collaborative relationships with vendors such as editorial service providers, production partners or copyediting/typesetting vendors
- Experience in drafting and enforcing service level agreements (SLAs); auditing and analyzing vendor KPIs such as turnaround times, quality scores, and author/editor satisfaction; and managing budget
- Demonstrated experience in managing multiple vendors across global time zones and high-volume journal portfolios
- Understanding of end-to-end publishing workflows including manuscript submission, peer review, production, copyediting, typesetting, and online publication
- Familiarity with publishing standards (e.g., JATS XML, DOI registration, ORCID integration), ethical publishing guidelines (e.g., COPE, ICMJE) and compliance issues (e.g., data privacy, accessibility)
- Familiarity with manuscript tracking systems (e.g. Editorial Manager), production platforms, and content management systems
- Familiarity with tools to increase the accuracy and efficiency of editorial processes and technical checks
- Experience with tools for data tracking and reporting (e.g. Tableau)
- Proven ability to collaborate with editorial, production, product and legal teams to align vendor operations with business needs
- Skilled in working across cultures and time zones, with experience managing diverse vendor and stakeholder relationships
- Clear, professional communication style suited to managing both internal stakeholders and external partners
- Strong documentation and reporting skills to track vendor activities and support audits or reviews
- Some national and international travel will be required
- Some flexibility to work across time zones
- Applications will be accepted from candidates based in the UK and the following US states: FL, IL, MA, MD, NY, PA, TX, VA
Desired Qualifications
- Advanced degree or certifications in a relevant field (e.g., in procurement, operations, or project management) a plus
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