•	Managed a diverse portfolio of vendor relationships, ensuring service excellence, risk mitigation, and maximum value for money in accordance with Bank Policies.
•	Led initiatives in the market data domains, including demand management and support for sourcing teams on pipeline opportunities, resulting in identified cost savings.
•	Successfully led a small team of vendor managers supporting specific lines of business under Wealth, fostering a collaborative and high-performing work environment.
•	Oversaw onboarding of new vendor initiatives, conducting extensive risk and sourcing due diligence, and obtaining necessary approvals in alignment with Bank Sourcing Policies.
•	Facilitated ongoing vendor governance and oversight, varying with risk ratings, to ensure compliance and effective relationship management.
•	Developed and maintained strong relationships with internal TD business partners, control partners, and external vendors, ensuring clear alignment with business objectives.
•	Evaluated vendor performance against agreed service levels, resolving/escalating performance issues promptly, and managing associated risks.
•	Interpreted contractual terms and conditions, representing business needs during vendor negotiations, and ensuring effective management of vendor agreements.
•	Demonstrated understanding of technical/business aspects of vendor services, identifying synergies and implementing initiatives to drive savings and efficiencies.
•	Managed and tracked contractual amendments, understanding commercial benefits and risks, and facilitated approval processes involving appropriate stakeholders.
•	Monitored service credits and penalties against vendor performance, reviewed negotiated rates, and ensured compliance with contract commitments.
•	Conducted regular audits of vendor invoices, facilitating the resolution/escalation of invoice or credit-related issues in accordance with contract terms and conditions.

Vendor Manager

HCL America, Inc.

-Supporting the Global Procurement Service Team, IT Leadership Team, VMO, and Project Management Office (PMO). Functioned as a trusted resource, advisor and trusted SME in project and program efforts focused on IT sourcing, supplier onboarding and engagement, negotiations, contracting, and category management.
-Liaise with C- Level Executives to bridge the relationships and support business developments.
-Partner with Legal, Finance, and Compliance as necessary to author and review contract terms and conditions for various contractual agreements (e.g., MSA's, SOW's, SaaS, Consulting, Technology Implementations, Staffing, etc. Consulted with and advised business partners to reach acceptable outcomes while mitigating potential risk (e.g., financial, quality, regulatory, supply chain, legal, performance)
-Led negotiation strategy and conducted contract negotiations on terms and conditions of high-risk, complex, and potentially long-term agreements in support of high impact IT and Commercial agreements.

Global Category Manager | DC & Hosting

Responsible for  HCL NORAM region 
-DC and Hosting, Audio Visual, Field Services, Other Professional Services Category
-RFP/RFI
-Vendor Management 
-Streamline the process flow to eliminate delays
-Global / MultiCultural / Cross Functional Team

Regional Category Manager - DC | Cloud | Field Services | Audio Visual |

•I have been very grateful to perform several roles and be an integral part of the company's growth.  
• During my term I have played several roles in various verticals and seamlessly executed several projects in Infrastructure, Pharmaceuticals, Medical Devices, Insurance, Airline, and Supply Chain. 
•  Meticulously worked as a front runner and took ownership of the problems as opportunities. 
• Serve as a single point of contact for the client on all contractual matters, including contract performance/ compliance, SOWs, change controls, extensions & renewals, and contractual interpretation.

Manager

Northeastern University

Student Proctor

Survey Assistant ( Registrars Office )

Prashanth and Kalyani come from a long line of prosperous farmers, spanning four generations. Raised with the belief that investing in the land yields abundance, they grew up tending to crops, nurturing growth, and harvesting the fruits of their labor. However, as urbanization and corporate careers gained popularity, their family's agricultural business began to decline.

Seeing their parents take different paths - one into entrepreneurship and the other into corporate life - taught Prashanth and Kalyani a valuable lesson: corporate jobs offer stability but require long-term commitment and can feel monotonous, while entrepreneurship is risky yet promises greater rewards.

Despite initially following the corporate path after receiving education from prestigious institutions and moving to the United States, Prashanth and Kalyani soon realized their passion for creation and cultivation, valuing time over money. Rejecting the sedentary corporate lifestyle and living paycheck to paycheck, they sought a more fulfilling pursuit.

Motivated by a desire for meaningful work and a balanced life, they embraced the role of "people farmers," investing in the growth of others. With guidance from mentors, they achieved success both personally and professionally.

While balancing their corporate endeavors with family life, they pass on their cherished values to their children and actively nurture others to unlock their potential. Prashanth and Kalyani are advocates of principles that foster personal growth and provide a platform for others to flourish.

If you identify with their journey, Prashanth invites you to start a conversation. Together, they believe, we can grow.

🚀 Professional Expertise:

With over 11 years of experience in vendor management within the IT environment, I bring a wealth of expertise to the table. A seasoned professional, I possess a deep understanding of vendor performance and relationship management intricacies. My track record includes successfully navigating complex contract negotiations, conducting competitive price analyses, and excelling in procurement and project management.

Let's connect and explore how my unique blend of personal insights and professional expertise can contribute to your journey or organization. 🌐

Reagrds
Prashanth Ponugoti

taplio