#TeamAlegeus wants to learn more about you. Tell us a bit about yourself and your role here at Alegeus.
Hello, my name is Paul Merchant and I’m coming up on my three-year mark at Alegeus. As Manager, Vendor Relations, I work on our procurement team and spend my days focused on supplier savings across the organization as well as streamlining processes for supplier onboarding and contract negotiations. I am also focused on supplier diversity for both current and new vendors. Additionally, I’m committed to advancing sustainability initiatives within our Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) framework, with a particular focus on reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, which is a key objective for Alegeus.
As a Manager of Vendor Relations, share a little bit about your role.
I partner with senior level stakeholders and business owners to align our business objectives with our preferred vendor partners. This role enables the company to control costs, mitigate risks and improve the overall performance of our contracted third-party vendors. As part of the Procurement team, our focus is on achieving vendor cost savings by consolidating services, negotiating contract terms and pricing, and strategically planning renewals with our internal partners.
How do you evaluate potential vendors to ensure they align with your Alegeus’ values and standards?
Our primary goal is to select vendors that offer the best combination of quality, pricing, and overall value. A key part of this process is managing third-party risk. To assess vendor health and risks, including financial stability and compliance, we use third-party tools, which provide continuous monitoring and alert us to any potential risks. Additionally, we work with our internal GRisk team for in-depth information security due diligence, and all findings are documented and streamlined using our compliance software. Vendor due diligence is a critical responsibility shared by both Procurement and Information Security.
Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) plays a pretty significant part in your role. How do you integrate ESG criteria into your vendor selection process?
Integrating Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) factors into vendor selection involves evaluating potential vendors not only on their ability to deliver goods or services but also on their commitment to sustainable and ethical practices. ESG considerations are part of our due diligence process when choosing vendors. We are currently working with a new partner that identifies our existing supplier base as well as potential new suppliers on ESG scoring and data. This tool is instrumental in building our supplier diversity program, helping us identify active and future suppliers who are certified in a diversity category.
What are the key benefits of prioritizing ESG in vendor relations?
Prioritizing ESG in vendor relations brings a range of benefits that go beyond mere compliance. One of the key advantages is improved risk management. Vendors with strong ESG practices are often more resilient, which reduces the likelihood of quality issues or reputational damage. Another benefit is the contribution to sustainability goals. Partnering with vendors who prioritize sustainable practices helps Alegeus achieve our own sustainability objectives, a win-win!
Another advantage is meeting stakeholder and client expectations. As ESG considerations become increasingly important to stakeholders, including investors, clients, employees, and regulators, Alegeus’ commitment to ethical and sustainable business practices will build trust and strengthen relationships and potentially create the opportunity for new ones. Finally, prioritizing ESG in vendor relations allows Alegeus to make a positive impact on society and the environment. By choosing vendors who share your commitment to ESG principles, you support fair labor practices, ethical sourcing, and efforts to reduce environmental harm.
Let’s switch things up. We’d love to learn more about you outside of work. Tell us about a hobby you enjoy in your free time.
I enjoy watersports during our time at Newfound Lake in New Hampshire. I grew up waterskiing and wakeboarding in the summers and now spend that time with my family. We will get out early in the morning to get the first ski in with friends. I think of watersports and how it can be compared to leadership. It requires balance, focus, and adaptability to changing conditions.