Vendor Strategy Manager

Life Space Digital is reshaping the out-of-home media landscape through the deployment of smart digital screens in high-traffic office, multifamily, and retail environments. Our platform delivers content-rich experiences and targeted advertising directly to building occupants and visitors — starting in elevators, lobbies, and shopping center concourses. Backed by an experienced leadership team and aggressive growth targets, we are scaling across key U.S. markets with a focus on speed, precision, and long-term value for our partners.

We are seeking a Vendor Strategy Manager to play a pivotal high-impact role responsible for driving installation cost efficiency, and strategic deployment planning for all display installations nationwide. Acting as the bridge between Business Development (BD), Customer Success, and Field Operations, this position leads vendor sourcing and negotiations to achieve aggressive cost per install targets.

The role’s mission is to reduce installation costs through competitive Requests for Quotes (RFQs), vendor performance management and alignment with elevator maintenance cycles ensuring speed, quality, and compliance across all markets.

What you'll do:

Pre-Deployment Planning

• Engage with BD teams as deals near close in key markets (New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Dallas, Miami, etc.). Launch RFQs to multiple OEMs and independent service providers (ISP), to secure competitive bids and prepare cost summaries.

• Assess target properties to identify available, qualified elevator service providers and independent contractors. Map access constraints, scheduling windows, and site readiness factors to support planning

• Develop comprehensive quoting plans and cost summaries for BD addendums, including vendor selections, timelines, and per-site pricing.

Vendor Negotiation & Cost Management

• Lead direct negotiation with elevator service vendors, electricians and ISPs to achieve or exceed the target cost per display installed.

• Ensure all proposals are competitive and transparent while driving a cost-reduction roadmap that positions Life Space as a preferred repeat client to secure volume-based discounts.

Strategic Deployment Alignment

• Integrate elevator service work with routine elevator maintenance cycles (per IUEC scheduling norms) to minimize disruption and reduce incremental labor cost.

• Consolidate installation activities geographically to benefit from route-based efficiency and streamline logistics.

• Coordinate with Field Ops and Customer Success to align route planning, building access logistics and installation timing with property installation milestones.

Cost / Time / Quality Performance Management

• Maintain a live cost-tracking dashboard by market and by configuration type (service-mount vs. flush-mount) and deliver quarterly business-ready metrics on average install cost, plan accuracy and pre-deal turnaround times.

• Ensure high installation quality through accuracy of plans and adherence to approved specifications.

Collaboration & Scaling

• Act as an individual contributor while collaborating with BD, Field Ops, and Customer Success and Operations leadership to standardize templates for quotes, cost tracking, and benchmarking.

• As Life Space scales, help establish a multi-region framework (East / West / South) for future negotiator hires.

Vendor Oversight & Performance

• Act as central point of contact for all vendor-related communications and track performance against Service Level Agreements, Key Performance Indicators using standardized scorecards.

• Implement improvement plans for underperforming vendors.

Who you are:

• 5-7 years of relevant experience in the elevator industry, including service, vendor management, modernization, or project management.

• Experience in account management, sales, or service-sales roles within OEMs or independent elevator service providers (+5 years preferred).

• Proven ability to negotiate with multiple vendors and manage cost strategies in complex, multi-stakeholder environments.

• Working knowledge of:

• National Electrical Code (NEC)

• Applicable elevator and public safety codes

• Building systems and access coordination

• Strong understanding of the industry relationship map: property managers → building owners/REITs → elevator contractors → electrical subcontractors → maintenance technicians.

• Strong commercial and analytical skills to turn quotes, timelines, and technical data into actionable plans.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; must be comfortable presenting to executives and property stakeholders.

• Proficiency in project management and vendor tracking tools (e.g., Smartsheet, Asana, or similar platforms).

The pay range for this position is $95,000 - $125,000 plus bonus; however, base pay offered may vary depending on job related knowledge, skills, candidate location, and experience. This is a remote first role, with periodic travel (approx. 15–20%) for onboarding, site reviews, and vendor visits across our active markets (New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Dallas, Miami).