Manager, Auto Vendor Program

At Allstate, great things happen when our people work together to protect families and their belongings from life’s uncertainties. And for more than 90 years, our innovative drive has kept us a step ahead of our customers’ evolving needs. From advocating for seat belts, air bags and graduated driving laws, to being an industry leader in pricing sophistication, telematics, and, more recently, device and identity protection.  Job Description The Claims Shared Services team is looking for a Manager, Auto Vendor Program to join our team! Reporting to the National Senior Manager of the Auto Vendor program, you will be accountable for the overall performance of the auto repair program and a team of Vendor Consultants.  In this role you will support the Auto claims team in achieving their loss/expense cost containment and customer experience objectives.  As well as efficiency & effectiveness and employee engagement. Accountabilities: • Provides operational leadership and direction to a capable team of auto vendor consultants and ensures their cooperation to successfully meet Allstate Canada Group and the Claim Department performance requirements • Provide leadership, direction and oversight of the auto vendor consultants; ensuring they are maintaining  secure financial controls over cost, timeliness and the customer experience while holding vendors accountable to our contracts & agreements. • Provide oversite, coaching, direction, and when required, handling escalated issues with vendors, resolving problems, and ensuring timely and effective resolution. The role would likely involve communicating with both internal teams and vendors, documenting progress, and if required, participating or leading performance reviews. • Provide detailed analysis that recognizes individual and team opportunities to positively impact Allstate Canada Group financial performance within appropriate claim performance metrics and adverse trends. Build plans to capitalize on the opportunities and reduce adverse risks. • Identify opportunities to reduce costs by analyzing data and implement cost saving initiatives. • Lead employees by providing appropriate coaching and feedback in preparation for performance, development & career opportunities • Recommend, implement and maintain an optimal organization design within the team, including alignment of roles, accountabilities and authorities and alignment of tasks within the organization to deliver on the strategy • Continuously evaluate and refine vendor management processes, tools, and systems to enhance efficiency, transparency, and effectiveness. • Actively look for ways to improve customer service, efficiencies, employee engagement and cost containment through Continuous Improvement mythologies • Recommend and implement best practices, automation tools, and process improvements to streamline workflows and optimize vendor relationships. • Identify and evaluate potential vendors and suppliers based on business needs, quality requirements, and cost considerations.  • Collaboration with the Auto Management and Vendor Management teams to drive and deliver on departmental objectives • Understand productivity of your team through analysis of data within the Claims systems; analyze, determine and recommend appropriate level of resources for team • Ensure performance and development plans are in place for all direct report employees • Provide ongoing direction to the team to achieve targets • Participate in Talent Pool Assessments Qualifications: • Required: Minimum 5-7 years of Auto Vendor Management experience • Required: Minimum 5-7 years of people management experience in the Auto body shop field and/or Insurance Claims environment • Required: Strong negotiation skills and ability to handle confl