Director of Vendor Partnerships

This is a fully remote position, open to applicants in New York.

📋 Description

• Foster and sustain robust relationships with key vendor partners from the onboarding phase through ongoing collaboration.

• Lead, mentor, and develop the Vendor Partnerships and Vendor Operations teams to ensure strategic alignment and the achievement of both team and individual KPIs.

• Oversee both tactical and strategic sourcing initiatives that support Business Development, Contracting, and Program Management.

• Enhance sourcing strategies for both one-time purchases and recurring catalog acquisitions.

• Create and implement vendor communication strategies, scorecards, and corrective action plans that encourage collaboration and drive outcomes.

• Evaluate vendor performance data and initiate continuous improvement efforts to address deficiencies and raise standards.

• Serve as the main escalation point for vendor-related issues and lead essential vendor communications and initiatives.

• Monitor and manage demand forecasting processes, providing timely insights to vendors to aid in inventory planning and availability.

• Collaborate across functions to anticipate needs, resolve challenges, and align vendor capabilities with business objectives.

• Actively identify and onboard new vendors through market research, data analysis, trade shows, and industry networks.

• Negotiate and secure favorable outcomes, including cost reductions, rebates, inventory terms, and catalog enhancements.

• Assist Business Development proposals by providing expertise in products and supply chain, Letters of Supply, market basket quoting, and proposal review participation.

• Propel product lifecycle management strategy by ensuring scalable processes, maintaining system integrity, and aligning with business goals.

• Define and implement vendor rebate program strategies that align with revenue targets and vendor growth objectives.

⛳️ Requirements

• Over 5 years of experience in supply chain negotiation and relationship-building with demonstrable examples.

• More than 5 years of experience managing Vendor/Category teams.

• Willingness to travel as required for trade shows or in-person vendor meetings (up to 10-20% travel for the role).

• Previous experience in Inventory/Warehouse management is an advantage.

• Exceptional high-level problem-solving abilities, with the capacity to quickly analyze complex situations, identify root causes, develop innovative solutions, and drive effective outcomes.

• Advanced communication skills, both written and oral, as well as in-person interactions.

🏝️ Benefits

• 401 (k) plan with matching contributions (eligibility begins after 90 days).

• Company-sponsored health insurance coverage.

• 20 days of paid vacation annually.

• 8 paid holidays.

• 10 days of paid sick and personal wellness time.