At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage vendor relationships and ensure quality assurance for API integrations.
- Company: Join First Advantage, a leader in background screening solutions.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, inclusive culture, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Be part of a tech transformation and make a real impact on user experiences.
- Qualifications: 5+ years in vendor management or QA, with strong analytical skills.
- Other info: Dynamic team environment with a focus on innovation and collaboration.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
At First Advantage (Nasdaq: FA), people are at the heart of everything we do. From our customers and partners to our greatest advantage — our team members. Operating with empathy and compassion, First Advantage fosters a global inclusive workforce devoted to the diverse voices that make up our talent and products. Our team members empower each other to be their authentic selves and treat all with respect, integrity, and fairness. Say hello to a rewarding career and come join a leading provider of mission-critical background screening solutions to some of the most recognized Fortune 100 and Global 500 brands.
About The Role: In addition to broad support of global vendor management goals and objectives, the Vendor Management Specialist – API & Quality Assurance is responsible for managing a portfolio of vendors while ensuring robust quality assurance processes and proactive defect management. This role leads API discovery and coordination efforts, oversees UAT testing and feedback loops, and maintains compliance through audits, onboarding, and annual reviews. The position requires strong collaboration with internal stakeholders and vendors, leveraging internal tools and reporting to drive operational excellence and continuous improvement.
Responsibilities:
- API Discovery & Coordination: Identify and document vendor API capabilities; Coordinate integration efforts between vendors and internal technical teams; Ensure API functionality aligns with business requirements.
- User Acceptance Testing (UAT): Plan and execute UAT for vendor-related systems and integrations; Collect and analyze feedback, ensuring timely resolution of issues.
- Quality Assurance & Defect Management: Develop and implement QA processes for vendor deliverables; Manage the Defect Management System (DMS), ensuring timely remediation; Monitor performance trends and escalate issues proactively.
- Vendor Portfolio Management: Oversee onboarding and compliance audits for vendors; Conduct annual reviews and implement remediation plans as needed; Maintain strong vendor relationships and ensure adherence to SLAs.
- Reporting & Analytics: Utilize internal tools to track vendor performance metrics; Provide insights and recommendations for process improvements; Prepare regular reports for leadership and stakeholders.
- Stakeholder Collaboration: Work closely with internal teams (Operations, IT, Governance) to align vendor activities with organizational goals; Act as a liaison between vendors and internal stakeholders for issue resolution and strategic initiatives.
- Other related duties as assigned.
Required Skills & Qualifications:
- Experience: 5+ years in vendor management, QA, or technical coordination roles; Experience with API integrations and UAT processes.
- Expert at understanding stakeholder needs and translating them into a robust supplier management strategy, ensuring full alignment within the organization throughout the process.
- Comfortable challenging the status quo and finding innovative solutions to drive value for First Advantage; aren’t afraid to take the lead to get things done.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills; Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities; Proficiency in QA methodologies and defect tracking tools; Familiarity with vendor governance and compliance processes.
- A self-starter who is outcome-focused and result driven.
Education & Experience Requirements:
- Experienced professional with a minimum of 5 years’ experience in operations, vendor management or procurement-related functions.
- Background in managing international pre-employment screening vendor relationships is preferred.
- Bachelor’s degree preferred.
- Demonstrated capability in strategy development, relationship management, analytics, and project management are also required.
Why First Advantage is Your Next Big Career Move:
First Advantage is going through a technology transformation! We are looking for experts who are excited to work with advanced technologies and provide best-in-class user experiences, drive the development and deployment of scalable solutions, and smoothly guide our agile teams and clients through meaningful changes as we continue to expand our impact.
What Are You Waiting For? Apply Today! You have learned a little about us today – we want to learn about you! If you think this position and our company are a great fit for your areas of interest and expertise, tell us about you by applying now!
United States Equal Opportunity Employment: First Advantage is proud to be a global leader in removing barriers and supporting our community members to ensure the changing demographics of the workforce are reflected in our hiring and employment practices. We value all of our candidates, employees, and clients, and place great emphasis on hiring and supporting qualified individuals in each role. We are an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship status, marital status, disability, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, genetic information, or any other area protected by applicable law.
Vendor Management Specialist (API & QA) employer: First Advantage
Contact Detail:
First Advantage Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Vendor Management Specialist (API & QA)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and don’t be shy about asking for introductions. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their values and how they align with yours. We want you to show up as your authentic self, so think about how you can demonstrate your fit for First Advantage during those crucial conversations.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Conduct mock interviews with friends or use online platforms to refine your answers. We recommend focusing on your experience with vendor management and QA processes, as these will be key topics in your discussions.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to follow up after your interviews! A simple thank-you email can go a long way in showing your enthusiasm for the role. We believe this small gesture can set you apart from other candidates and keep you fresh in the interviewers' minds.
We think you need these skills to ace Vendor Management Specialist (API & QA)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Experience: Make sure to highlight your 5+ years of experience in vendor management or QA. We want to see how you've tackled similar challenges and what you've achieved in your previous roles.
Tailor Your Application: Don’t just send a generic CV! Tailor your application to reflect the specific skills and qualifications mentioned in the job description. This shows us you’re genuinely interested in the role and understand what we’re looking for.
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your cover letter, keep it clear and to the point. We appreciate straightforward communication, so make sure to express your thoughts without unnecessary fluff!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at First Advantage
✨Know Your APIs
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of API integrations and how they work. Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've managed vendor APIs in the past, as this will show your understanding of the technical aspects of the role.
✨Prepare for UAT Scenarios
Think about your experience with User Acceptance Testing (UAT). Prepare to share how you've planned and executed UAT in previous roles, including any challenges you faced and how you resolved them. This will demonstrate your hands-on experience and problem-solving skills.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive decisions in vendor management. Bring examples of performance metrics you've tracked and how you've used those insights to improve processes or vendor relationships. This will highlight your analytical mindset.
✨Emphasise Collaboration
Since this role involves working closely with internal stakeholders, be prepared to talk about your collaboration experiences. Share specific instances where you've successfully liaised between teams and vendors to achieve common goals, showcasing your communication and relationship management skills.