Fleet Vendor Performance Manager

Waymo Operations exists to deliver the Waymo Driver to the world. We are a global team building and scaling the world's first and leading autonomous fleet and operations platform. From component sourcing to end customer management, we enable and create value for Waymo through scaled and orchestrated deployment of the Waymo Driver. At Waymo, we are dedicated to building a culture that promotes collaboration and celebration. We value our team members' unique backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences and support and encourage all team members to share their ideas to help Waymo better serve the communities in which we operate.

In this hybrid role, you will report to the Head of Global Fleet Operations

You will:

• Drive Vendor Performance & SLA Accountability: Lead regular operational rhythms (weekly/monthly performance reviews) with maintenance partners to track KPIs, monitor scorecard trends, and ensure strict SLA compliance.

• Manage Root-Cause Escalations: Serve as the primary point of escalation for partner underperformance, utilizing structured root-cause analysis (e.g., 5-Why, DMAIC) to implement permanent corrective actions rather than temporary fixes.

• Enforce Process Governance: Maintain and govern vendor SOPs, playbooks, and change-control processes, ensuring partner facilities adhere strictly to Waymo safety and quality standards.

• Support Sourcing & Vendor Integration: Partner with internal procurement and supply chain teams to assist with RFP technical evaluations, vendor capability audits, and site onboarding.

• Optimize Partner Throughput & Capacity: Analyze labor utilization, facility throughput, and turnaround times to ensure vendor partners scale capacity efficiently in line with market growth.

• Centralize Cost & Quality Tracking: Monitor vendor billing accuracy, manage centralized cost performance against budget, and drive cost-per-mile efficiencies.

You have:

• 8+ years of experience in operational roles, with at least 4–5 years directly managing 3rd-party vendors, supplier performance, or external partner networks.

• Demonstrated experience holding vendors accountable using structured performance metrics (e.g., SLAs, KPIs, scorecards, comeback rates, turnaround times)

• Proven track record of managing vendor operational rhythms, conducting performance reviews, and executing root-cause corrective action plans.

• Strong background in process optimization and operational rigor (e.g., DMAIC, Kaizen, Lean) applied to external workflows.

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Operations Management, Engineering, or equivalent practical experience.

We prefer:

• Experience working with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs), Tier-1 automotive suppliers, or large-scale high-utilization fleet maintenance vendors.

• Familiarity with complex hardware environments, automated fleet technologies supply chain or, technical depot operations.

Travel requirement:

• 10% of the time