Director of Vendor Partnerships

Role Overview

• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with strategic vendor partners from onboarding through long-term collaboration
• Lead, mentor, and develop the Vendor Partnerships and Vendor Operations teams to ensure strategic alignment and achievement of team and individual KPIs
• Oversee tactical and strategic sourcing initiatives supporting Business Development, Contracting, and Program Management
• Optimize sourcing strategies for both one-off purchases and repeat catalog buys
• Design and implement vendor communication strategies, scorecards, and corrective action processes that promote collaboration and drive results
• Analyze vendor performance data and implement continuous improvement initiatives to address gaps and elevate standards
• Act as the primary escalation point for vendor issues and lead critical vendor communications and initiatives
• Monitor and manage demand forecasting processes, providing timely insights to vendors to support inventory planning and availability
• Collaborate cross-functionally to anticipate needs, resolve challenges, and align vendor capabilities with business priorities
• Proactively identify and onboard new vendors through market research, data analysis, trade shows, and industry networks
• Negotiate and secure profitable outcomes, including cost reductions, rebates, inventory terms, and catalog improvements
• Support Business Development proposals through product and supply chain expertise, Letters of Supply, market basket quoting, and proposal review participation
• Drive product lifecycle management strategy by ensuring scalable processes, system integrity, and alignment with business objectives
• Define and drive vendor rebate program strategies aligned with revenue targets and vendor growth objectives

Requirements

• 5+ years of experience in supply chain negotiation and rapport-building with proven examples
• 5+ years of experience managing Vendor/Category teams
• Ability to travel as needed to trade shows or in-person Vendor meetings (up to 10-20% job travel)
• Previous Inventory/Warehouse management is a plus
• Exceptional high-level problem-solving skills with the ability to quickly analyze complex situations, identify root causes, develop creative solutions, and drive effective outcomes
• Advanced communication skills (written, oral, and in-person)

Benefits

• 401 (k) with matching contributions (eligible after 90 days)
• Company-Sponsored Healthcare Insurance
• 20 Days of Paid Vacation per year
• 8 Paid Holidays
• 10 Days of Paid Sick and Personal Wellness Time