Global Vendor Operations Specialist

Available Locations: Austin, TX

About the role

The Global Vendor Operations Specialist is a hands-on operational role responsible for the day-to-day execution of vendor management activities across Cloudflare's global infrastructure operations. Working closely with the Global Vendor Manager, this role ensures vendors are properly onboarded, performing to agreed standards, and continuously improving through data-driven performance management.

This position serves as the primary operational liaison between Cloudflare and external service providers, translating strategic vendor relationships into tactical execution excellence.

Responsibilities

Vendor Onboarding & Integration

• Guide new global vendors through the complete company setup process from contract signature to operational readiness
• Conduct vendor orientation sessions covering Cloudflare systems, communication protocols, escalation procedures, and daily operational workflows
• Coordinate collection and validation of required legal, tax, compliance, and security documentation before work authorization
• Create and maintain onboarding checklists, tracking templates, and vendor readiness dashboards
• Establish initial communication cadences and operational rhythms with new vendor teams
• Work with IT, Security, Procurement, and Legal teams to provision system access and complete required clearances

Metric Tracking & Performance Scorecards

• Build and maintain regular performance reports tracking vendor speed, quality, cost efficiency, and SLA compliance
• Monitor Service Level Agreements (SLAs) across all active vendors, flagging breaches and tracking resolution
• Develop vendor scorecards that provide clear, objective assessments of vendor performance
• Create executive-level dashboards summarizing vendor health across the global portfolio
• Establish data collection processes to ensure accurate, timely performance measurement
• Partner with vendors to align on measurement methodologies and data sources

Performance Improvement & Issue Resolution

• Conduct root cause analysis when vendors miss SLA targets or performance benchmarks
• Schedule and facilitate regular operational review meetings with vendor teams to discuss performance trends
• Track improvement plan progress and escalate persistent issues to the Global Vendor Manager
• Identify patterns across vendor performance issues and recommend systemic process improvements
• Document lessons learned from performance incidents to prevent recurrence

Process Optimization & Automation

• Simplify vendor operational guidelines, playbooks, and SOPs to improve clarity and compliance
• Identify opportunities to automate repetitive vendor management tasks using agentic AI tools (reporting, onboarding, compliance tracking)
• Partner with internal teams to implement tools that accelerate vendor onboarding and performance monitoring
• Create templates, forms, and workflows that reduce administrative overhead
• Maintain centralized vendor operations documentation and knowledge base
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives based on vendor and internal stakeholder feedback

Communication & Stakeholder Management

• Serve as the primary day-to-day point of contact for operational vendor inquiries
• Translate technical requirements from Infrastructure Operations teams into clear vendor work instructions
• Coordinate cross-functional stakeholders (Finance, Legal, Security, IT) during vendor lifecycle events
• Prepare and deliver regular status updates to leadership on vendor operational health
• Facilitate vendor business reviews and performance discussions
• Manage vendor communication channels (email, Slack, ticketing systems, etc.)

Desirable Skills, Knowledge, and Experience:

Experience

• 3-5 years in vendor management, procurement operations, supplier quality, or operational program management
• Experience working with global service providers across multiple time zones
• Proven track record building performance measurement frameworks and tracking systems
• Background in data center operations, facilities management, IT services, or infrastructure services preferred

Technical Skills

• Advanced proficiency in Google Workspace (Sheets, Docs, Slides) or Microsoft Office suite
• Strong data analysis skills with ability to create dashboards and visualizations
• Experience with project management and tracking tools (Jira, Asana, etc.)
• Familiarity with procurement systems and vendor management platforms
• Familiarity with data center or network infrastructure operations
• Basic understanding of SLA frameworks and service delivery metrics

Core Competencies

• Process orientation: Ability to design, document, and enforce operational processes
• Data-driven decision making: Comfort working with metrics, KPIs, and quantitative analysis
• Communication: Clear written and verbal communication with technical and non-technical audiences
• Problem-solving: Structured approach to root cause analysis and issue resolution
• Attention to detail: High accuracy in documentation, reporting, and compliance tracking
• Relationship building: Ability to influence and collaborate without direct authority
• Continuous improvement mindset: Proactive identification of optimization opportunities

Compensation

Compensation may be adjusted depending on work location.

Equity

This role is eligible to participate in Cloudflare’s equity plan.

Benefits

Cloudflare offers a complete package of benefits and programs to support you and your family.  Our benefits programs can help you pay health care expenses, support caregiving, build capital for the future and make life a little easier and fun!  The below is a description of our benefits for employees in the United States, and benefits may vary for employees based outside the U.S.

Health & Welfare Benefits

• Medical/Rx Insurance
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Commuter Spending Accounts
• Fertility & Family Forming Benefits
• On-demand mental health support and Employee Assistance Program
• Global Travel Medical Insurance

Financial Benefits

• Short and Long Term Disability Insurance
• Life & Accident Insurance
• 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan
• Employee Stock Participation Plan

Time Off

• Flexible paid time off covering vacation and sick leave
• Leave programs, including parental, pregnancy health, medical, and bereavement leave