Operations & Vendor Manager

Company Description

Kriya is a premium event management company operating in Mysuru and Bengaluru, creating thoughtfully designed, well-executed celebrations. We work across weddings, engagements, social celebrations and curated events, bringing together creative design, planning, vendor management and seamless execution.

We are looking for an Operations & Vendor Manager who can take ownership of the operational side of our events and build strong, reliable vendor relationships along the way.

Role Description

As an Operations & Vendor Manager, you will be responsible for ensuring that every event moves smoothly from planning to execution.

You will work closely with the founders, creative team, clients and vendors to make sure that what is planned on paper is executed perfectly on-ground.

This is a highly execution-oriented role. You should enjoy being on the field, solving problems, coordinating people and making things happen.

Key Responsibilities

1. Event Operations

- Take ownership of end-to-end operational execution for assigned events.
- Prepare and maintain detailed event checklists, timelines and execution plans.
- Coordinate setup, event flow, dismantling and post-event requirements.
- Ensure vendors arrive on time with the right manpower, materials and equipment.
- Conduct venue visits and understand logistical requirements.
- Coordinate loading, unloading, setup and dismantling schedules.
- Ensure all elements are executed according to the approved plan and Kriya standards.
- Be present on-ground during events and take complete responsibility for execution.

2. Vendor Management

- Build and maintain a strong network of reliable event vendors.
- Identify and onboard new vendors across décor, florals, furniture, lighting, sound, production, rentals, artists, hospitality, transportation, manpower, etc.
- Negotiate rates, timelines and terms with vendors.
- Maintain vendor databases,



rate cards and performance records.
- Allocate vendors based on event requirements, quality and budget.
- Track vendor deliverables and ensure commitments are met.
- Develop long-term relationships with high-performing vendors.
- Evaluate vendors after every event based on quality, punctuality, professionalism and pricing.

3. On-Ground Problem Solving

- Be the primary problem-solver during event execution.
- Handle last-minute changes calmly and efficiently.
- Anticipate operational issues before they become problems.
- Coordinate between multiple vendors simultaneously.
- Take quick decisions within the approved scope and escalate critical issues when required.
- Ensure the client experience remains smooth even when challenges arise behind the scenes.

4. Cost & Resource Management

- Obtain and compare vendor quotations.
- Track operational expenses and vendor payments.
- Ensure execution stays within the approved budgets.
- Avoid unnecessary last-minute expenses through proper planning.
- Maintain records of vendor advances, balances and settlements.
- Identify opportunities to optimise costs without compromising quality.

5. Team & Manpower Coordination

- Coordinate Kriya's event coordinators, freelancers, temporary manpower and vendor teams.
- Assign responsibilities clearly before and during events.
- Conduct pre-event briefings.
- Ensure everyone understands timelines, responsibilities and escalation points.
- Monitor performance on-ground.

6. Systems & Process





- Create and maintain SOPs for event execution and vendor management.
- Build checklists and operational templates.
- Maintain vendor databases and event documentation.
- Conduct post-event reviews and document learnings.
- Continuously improve Kriya's execution processes.

We are looking for someone who is:
- Extremely organised
- Strong at follow-ups
- Excellent at communication
- Comfortable negotiating with vendors
- Good at managing multiple things simultaneously
- Calm under pressure
- Extremely proactive
- Solution-oriented rather than excuse-oriented
- Comfortable working long hours during events
- Comfortable travelling locally for venue visits and events
- Detail-oriented
- Firm but respectful while dealing with vendors
- Willing to get their hands dirty when required

Most importantly, we want someone who takes ownership. If something goes wrong at an event, the mindset should be:

“How do I solve this?”

NOT “Whose job was this?”

Essentials:

- Bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification.
- Prior experience managing vendors and on-ground event execution.
- Strong communication and negotiation skills.
- Valuable knowledge of MS Excel / Google Sheets.
- Comfortable creating schedules, checklists and trackers.
- Ability to manage multiple vendors and tasks simultaneously.
- Willingness to work weekends, evenings and extended hours during events.
- Willingness to travel locally for events and venue visits.
- Valid driving licence and ability to travel independently would be an advantage.

Preferred Background: Candidates from any of these backgrounds can be considered:
- Event Management
- Wedding Planning
- Hospitality
- Hotel Management
- Production / Event Production
- Operations
- Experiential Marketing
- Corporate Events
- Banquet / Venue Operations

- A formal event-management degree is not mandatory if the candidate has strong hands-on event experience.

📌 Operations and Vendor manager (Bengaluru)
🏢 Kriya
📍 Bengaluru