Vendor Manager Jobs in California
Vendor Manager jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in technology, retail, entertainment, and healthcare across a seniority range from entry-level procurement coordinators through senior director roles. The largest hiring metros are San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Jose, where established employers like Apple, Kaiser Permanente, and Walt Disney Company maintain substantial vendor management functions. The most in-demand specialties in California are IT vendor management, supplier risk, and retail supply chain. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Your Role
The Pharmacy Vendor Management team supports Pharmacy Strategy and Operations in managing the vendor contracting process, vendor governance model, vendor performance, vendor escalations, and various operational level processes. The Senior Manager, Program and Project Management - Pharmacy Vendor Management will report to the Director of Pharmacy Performance. In this role you will be responsible for the development and management of the Pharmacy vendor governance model, management of the Pharmacy vendor contracting process, driving the regulatory filing of vendor contracts, oversight of vendor performance, and managing vendor escalations as well as other operational processes to ensure excellence in our contracted services. This position works closely with the Pharmacy Strategy and Operations team, cross-functionally with other teams within Blue Shield of California (BSC) including Legal, Privacy, and Global Business Services, as well as our external vendor partners to ensure timely, accurate, and flawless delivery of our vendored services.
Our leadership model is about developing great leaders at all levels and creating opportunities for our people to grow – personally, professionally, and financially. We are looking for leaders that are energized by creative and critical thinking, building and sustaining high-performing teams, getting results the right way, and fostering continuous learning.
Your Work
In this role, you will:
- Operate at a strategic business level to ensure projects/programs are in line with BSC strategic goals
- Consult with all levels including senior management, make recommendations, and influence decision-making
- Determine key business issues, develop effective action plans and implement to successful conclusion
- Lead cross-functional meetings and foster teamwork; drive escalation and resolution of issues, while promoting collaboration and coordination across broad categories of stakeholders
- Be accountable for ensuring overall program and project delivery, schedule and budget attainment, and effective management of leadership expectations in achieving overall desired outcomes, results, and deliverables
- Oversee and manage the Pharmacy Vendor Management team, assign and monitor work within the team’s scope and provide guidance and leadership to team members
- Own the Pharmacy vendor governance model including the management of vendor escalations and oversight of vendor performance to ensure vendor is meeting contractual obligations
- Own the end-to-end Pharmacy Vendor Management contract management process including timeline planning, ticket generation and tracking, drafting of contract documentation, contract negotiation and execution, and managing the regulatory filing for Pharmacy vendor contracts
- Be a Pharmacy liaison and partner with Pharmacy business, Legal, Privacy, Global Business Services, Regulatory, and Compliance to ensure alignment with company goals, standards, and requirements
- Responsible for leading a medium-sized team of program managers and business analysts in support of the delivery of the Pharmacy Vendor Management sub-portfolio
- Perform other duties as assigned
Your Knowledge and Experience
- Requires a college degree or equivalent experience
- Requires 10 years of prior relevant experience, including 4 years of management experience
- Experience managing external vendors and establishing governance models
- Experience writing Statements of Work (SOW) for business service agreements
- Experience with regulatory entities and the regulatory filing process
- Experience driving strategic projects and partnering cross-functionally as well as with external vendor partners to achieve successful outcomes
- Strong negotiation skills and ability to successfully interact with all levels of management both internally and externally Expert knowledge and experience using Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Adobe Acrobat
Hybrid
This role requires employees to be in-office based on our hybrid workplace model, balancing purposeful in-person collaboration with flexibility. For most teams, this means coming into the office two days each week.
Employees living more than 50 miles from an office location will work with their manager to determine in-office time based on business need.
ABOUT THE TEAM
About Blue Shield of California
As of January 2025, Blue Shield of California became a subsidiary of Ascendiun. Ascendiun is a nonprofit corporate entity that is the parent to a family of organizations including Blue Shield of California and its subsidiary, Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan; Altais, a clinical services company; and Stellarus, a company designed to scale healthcare solutions. Together, these organizations are referred to as the Ascendiun Family of Companies.
At Blue Shield of California, our mission is to create a healthcare system worthy of our family and friends and sustainably affordable. We are transforming health care in a way that genuinely serves our nonprofit mission by lowering costs, improving quality, and enhancing the member and physician experience.
To achieve our mission, we foster an environment where all employees can thrive and contribute fully to address the needs of the various communities we serve. We are committed to creating and maintaining a supportive workplace that upholds our values and advances our goals.
Blue Shield is a U.S. News Best Company to work for, a Deloitte U.S. Best Managed Company and a Top 100 Inspiring Workplace. We were recognized by Fair360 as a Top Regional Company, and one of the 50 most community-minded companies in the United States by Points of Light. Here at Blue Shield, we strive to make a positive change across our industry and communities – join us!
Our Values:
- Honest. We hold ourselves to the highest ethical and integrity standards. We build trust by doing what we say we're going to do and by acknowledging and correcting where we fall short.
- Human. We strive to listen and communicate effectively, showing empathy by understanding others' perspectives.
- Courageous. We stand up for what we believe in and are committed to the hard work necessary to achieve our ambitious goals.
Our Workplace Model
We believe in fostering a workplace environment that balances purposeful in-person collaboration with flexibility - providing clear expectations while respecting the diverse needs of our workforce. Our workplace model is designed around intentional in-person interaction, collaboration, connection, creativity and flexibility:
For most teams, this means coming into the office two days per week.
Employees living more than 50 miles from an office location, out of state employees, and employees in certain member-facing roles should work with their manager to determine in-office time based on business need.
For employees with medical conditions that may impact their ability to work in-office, we are committed to engaging in an interactive process and providing reasonable accommodations to ensure their work environment is conducive to their success and well-being.
The Company reserves the right to require more presence in the office based on business needs, and requirements are subject to change with periodic reviews.
Physical Requirements:
Office Environment - roles involving part to full time schedule in Office Environment. Based in our physical offices and work from home office/deskwork - Activity level: Sedentary, frequency most of work day.
Equal Employment Opportunity:
External hires must pass a background check/drug screen. Qualified applicants with arrest records and/or conviction records will be considered for employment in a manner consistent with Federal, State and local laws, including but not limited to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regards to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status or disability status and any other classification protected by Federal, State and local laws.
Your Role
The Pharmacy Vendor Management team supports Pharmacy Strategy and Operations in managing the vendor contracting process, vendor governance model, vendor performance, vendor escalations, and various operational level processes. The Senior Manager, Program and Project Management - Pharmacy Vendor Management will report to the Director of Pharmacy Performance. In this role you will be responsible for the development and management of the Pharmacy vendor governance model, management of the Pharmacy vendor contracting process, driving the regulatory filing of vendor contracts, oversight of vendor performance, and managing vendor escalations as well as other operational processes to ensure excellence in our contracted services. This position works closely with the Pharmacy Strategy and Operations team, cross-functionally with other teams within Blue Shield of California (BSC) including Legal, Privacy, and Global Business Services, as well as our external vendor partners to ensure timely, accurate, and flawless delivery of our vendored services.
Our leadership model is about developing great leaders at all levels and creating opportunities for our people to grow – personally, professionally, and financially. We are looking for leaders that are energized by creative and critical thinking, building and sustaining high-performing teams, getting results the right way, and fostering continuous learning.
Your Work
In this role, you will:
- Operate at a strategic business level to ensure projects/programs are in line with BSC strategic goals
- Consult with all levels including senior management, make recommendations, and influence decision-making
- Determine key business issues, develop effective action plans and implement to successful conclusion
- Lead cross-functional meetings and foster teamwork; drive escalation and resolution of issues, while promoting collaboration and coordination across broad categories of stakeholders
- Be accountable for ensuring overall program and project delivery, schedule and budget attainment, and effective management of leadership expectations in achieving overall desired outcomes, results, and deliverables
- Oversee and manage the Pharmacy Vendor Management team, assign and monitor work within the team’s scope and provide guidance and leadership to team members
- Own the Pharmacy vendor governance model including the management of vendor escalations and oversight of vendor performance to ensure vendor is meeting contractual obligations
- Own the end-to-end Pharmacy Vendor Management contract management process including timeline planning, ticket generation and tracking, drafting of contract documentation, contract negotiation and execution, and managing the regulatory filing for Pharmacy vendor contracts
- Be a Pharmacy liaison and partner with Pharmacy business, Legal, Privacy, Global Business Services, Regulatory, and Compliance to ensure alignment with company goals, standards, and requirements
- Responsible for leading a medium-sized team of program managers and business analysts in support of the delivery of the Pharmacy Vendor Management sub-portfolio
- Perform other duties as assigned
Your Knowledge and Experience
- Requires a college degree or equivalent experience
- Requires 10 years of prior relevant experience, including 4 years of management experience
- Experience managing external vendors and establishing governance models
- Experience writing Statements of Work (SOW) for business service agreements
- Experience with regulatory entities and the regulatory filing process
- Experience driving strategic projects and partnering cross-functionally as well as with external vendor partners to achieve successful outcomes
- Strong negotiation skills and ability to successfully interact with all levels of management both internally and externally Expert knowledge and experience using Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Adobe Acrobat
Hybrid
This role requires employees to be in-office based on our hybrid workplace model, balancing purposeful in-person collaboration with flexibility. For most teams, this means coming into the office two days each week.
Employees living more than 50 miles from an office location will work with their manager to determine in-office time based on business need.
ABOUT THE TEAM
About Blue Shield of California
As of January 2025, Blue Shield of California became a subsidiary of Ascendiun. Ascendiun is a nonprofit corporate entity that is the parent to a family of organizations including Blue Shield of California and its subsidiary, Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan; Altais, a clinical services company; and Stellarus, a company designed to scale healthcare solutions. Together, these organizations are referred to as the Ascendiun Family of Companies.
At Blue Shield of California, our mission is to create a healthcare system worthy of our family and friends and sustainably affordable. We are transforming health care in a way that genuinely serves our nonprofit mission by lowering costs, improving quality, and enhancing the member and physician experience.
To achieve our mission, we foster an environment where all employees can thrive and contribute fully to address the needs of the various communities we serve. We are committed to creating and maintaining a supportive workplace that upholds our values and advances our goals.
Blue Shield is a U.S. News Best Company to work for, a Deloitte U.S. Best Managed Company and a Top 100 Inspiring Workplace. We were recognized by Fair360 as a Top Regional Company, and one of the 50 most community-minded companies in the United States by Points of Light. Here at Blue Shield, we strive to make a positive change across our industry and communities – join us!
Our Values:
- Honest. We hold ourselves to the highest ethical and integrity standards. We build trust by doing what we say we're going to do and by acknowledging and correcting where we fall short.
- Human. We strive to listen and communicate effectively, showing empathy by understanding others' perspectives.
- Courageous. We stand up for what we believe in and are committed to the hard work necessary to achieve our ambitious goals.
Our Workplace Model
We believe in fostering a workplace environment that balances purposeful in-person collaboration with flexibility - providing clear expectations while respecting the diverse needs of our workforce. Our workplace model is designed around intentional in-person interaction, collaboration, connection, creativity and flexibility:
For most teams, this means coming into the office two days per week.
Employees living more than 50 miles from an office location, out of state employees, and employees in certain member-facing roles should work with their manager to determine in-office time based on business need.
For employees with medical conditions that may impact their ability to work in-office, we are committed to engaging in an interactive process and providing reasonable accommodations to ensure their work environment is conducive to their success and well-being.
The Company reserves the right to require more presence in the office based on business needs, and requirements are subject to change with periodic reviews.
Physical Requirements:
Office Environment - roles involving part to full time schedule in Office Environment. Based in our physical offices and work from home office/deskwork - Activity level: Sedentary, frequency most of work day.
Equal Employment Opportunity:
External hires must pass a background check/drug screen. Qualified applicants with arrest records and/or conviction records will be considered for employment in a manner consistent with Federal, State and local laws, including but not limited to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regards to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status or disability status and any other classification protected by Federal, State and local laws.
See All 23 Vendor Manager Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Vendor Manager JobsVendor Manager Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Vendor Manager Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals
- Consulting & Professional Services
- Retail
- Science & Research
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in vendor manager jobs across California.
- Bachelor's degree in supply chain, business administration, or a related field
- Three or more years of vendor or supplier management experience
- Demonstrated experience negotiating contracts and managing service-level agreements
- Proficiency with procurement platforms such as SAP Ariba, Coupa, or Oracle
- Strong analytical skills with experience using spend analysis and performance dashboards
- Certification such as CPSM or CSCP from ISM or APICS is frequently preferred
Vendor Manager Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a vendor manager in California?
Vendor management in California does not require a state-issued license. The most common path is a bachelor's degree in supply chain management, business, or operations, followed by experience in purchasing, procurement, or contract administration. California employers, particularly in technology and healthcare, increasingly favor candidates who hold a Certified Professional in Supply Management credential from the Institute for Supply Management or a Certified Supply Chain Professional designation from APICS.
How much do vendor managers make in California?
Vendor managers in California earn a median of about $159,830 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $99,560 for the lowest 10% to over $241,340 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire vendor managers in California?
Employers hiring vendor managers in California right now include Revolution Medicines, Ramp, and Waymo, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. California's concentration of large technology firms, integrated health systems, and entertainment studios creates consistent demand for vendor management professionals with both IT procurement and general supply chain backgrounds.
Which California cities have the most vendor manager jobs?
The cities with the most vendor manager openings in California are San Francisco, Irvine, and Redwood City. This distribution reflects the concentration of corporate headquarters and regional operations centers in the Bay Area and Greater Los Angeles, where technology, media, and healthcare employers drive the bulk of vendor management hiring, with San Jose anchored by the semiconductor and enterprise software industries.
Are there remote vendor manager jobs in California?
Yes, and more than most fields. Vendor management is primarily a desk-based, relationship and contract-focused role that translates well to remote work. About 63% of vendor manager openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting how broadly California technology and media employers have embraced flexible arrangements for procurement and supplier relationship functions.
How can I get hired as a vendor manager in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a purchasing coordinator or procurement analyst role, which large California employers in technology, retail, and healthcare use as a pipeline into vendor management. Companies like Apple, Kaiser Permanente, and large California county governments run structured rotational procurement programs for recent graduates. Building an edge through an APICS CSCP certification and hands-on experience with a procurement platform, even through coursework or an internship, moves a candidate ahead of most applicants at this level.
Where can I find and apply to vendor manager jobs in California?
You can find and apply to vendor manager jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings from employers actively hiring. Find roles that fit your experience and location, then apply directly to each one.
See All 23 Vendor Manager Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Vendor Manager Jobs