What are the responsibilities and job description for the Vendor Relations Manager position at Group Health Cooperative of Eau Claire?
Position Purpose
The Vendor Relations Manager leads and coordinates the Cooperative’s vendor management activities, ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations, contractual obligations, and internal policies. This role will coordinate vendor and contract reviews, conduct new vendor assessments, manage supplemental oversight activities, and lead First-Tier, Downstream, and Related Entity (FDR) oversight processes.
Essential Functions
The Vendor Relations Manager leads and coordinates the Cooperative’s vendor management activities, ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations, contractual obligations, and internal policies. This role will coordinate vendor and contract reviews, conduct new vendor assessments, manage supplemental oversight activities, and lead First-Tier, Downstream, and Related Entity (FDR) oversight processes.
Essential Functions
- Manage the lifecycle of vendor contracts, including initial review, renewal, and termination processes.
- Coordinate with department managers and executive leadership to assess business need, cost-benefit, and security implications.
- Monitor vendor performance through periodic assessments.
- Maintain a centralized repository of vendor contracts and performance documentation.
- Ensure all supplemental benefit vendors comply with applicable Medicare laws, CMS instructions, and contractual obligations.
- Monitor and audit vendors that qualify as First Tier, Downstream, or Related Entities (FDRs) to ensure compliance with CMS standards.
- Oversee vendor reporting and data sharing to support encounter data and medical record submissions.
- Collaborate with vendors to ensure marketing and communication materials meet CMS accessibility, translation, and approval standards.
- Support internal audit readiness by documenting oversight activities, meeting outcomes, and corrective actions related to supplemental benefit vendors.
- Facilitate collaboration with vendors to develop and deliver educational initiatives that inform internal employees about the vendor’s services, capabilities, and value to the organization.
Minimum Requirements:
- Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Healthcare Administration, Compliance, or related field;
- Minimum 2 years of experience in vendor management or healthcare compliance;
- Familiarity with CMS requirements and HIPAA regulations;
- Able to maintain the highest standard of confidentiality;
- Strong analytical and organizational skills with attention to detail;
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including skills in negotiation;
- Organized and attentive to detail;
- Ability to work well with different personalities;
- Excellent work ethic with the ability to work in a team environment as well as independently.
- Ability to prioritize projects and tasks on a daily basis while meeting deadlines;
Group Health Cooperative of Eau Claire complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate, exclude or treat candidates less favorably on the basis of race, color, national origin (including limited English proficiency and primary language), age, disability, or sex (including sex characteristics, including intersex traits; pregnancy or related conditions; sexual orientation; gender
identity; and sex stereotypes).
The Cooperative is committed to fostering a caring and compassionate environment while ensuring that individual differences are valued. The Cooperative is a quality driven cooperative built on collaboration, community involvement, innovation, and belonging. It is essential that all employees and members feel secure and welcome, that the opinions and contributions of all individuals are respected and that all voices are heard.
identity; and sex stereotypes).
The Cooperative is committed to fostering a caring and compassionate environment while ensuring that individual differences are valued. The Cooperative is a quality driven cooperative built on collaboration, community involvement, innovation, and belonging. It is essential that all employees and members feel secure and welcome, that the opinions and contributions of all individuals are respected and that all voices are heard.
This full time position offers an outstanding benefit package, including three weeks of vacation the first year, a generous retirement plan, health and dental insurance, a wellness program, and much more! If you are interested in working for an organization focused on a team atmosphere and is dedicated to providing exceptional service submit your resume today! Send resume to: resumes@group-health.com. Group Health Cooperative of Eau Claire is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer.