Vendor Manager

Vendor Manager: Job Roles and Responsibilities

Job Purpose

The Vendor Manager is responsible for developing and owning the strategy for a specific category while leading a high-performing team. This role focuses on establishing strong vendor partnerships, managing profitability, and optimizing pricing to enhance the customer experience.

Roles and Responsibilities

Financial and Category Management

• P&L Ownership: Manage the Profit and Loss for multiple brands or subcategories, developing plans to drive revenue and margin growth.
• Input Management: Oversee selection and in-stock levels, ensuring a deep understanding of how changes to pricing and convenience impact the business.
• Strategic Planning: Create prioritized business plans that maximize margins and improve the customer experience.

Vendor Relations and Negotiations

• Relationship Building: Develop long-term relationships with vendors to improve terms, cost structures, and selection.
• Strategic Negotiations: Lead negotiations to deliver both top- and bottom-line growth for assigned sub-categories.
• Strategic Sourcing: Focus on challenging or "holdout" vendors to expand the available product selection.

Operational Excellence

• Engagement: Conduct regular meetings with brands, including monthly in-person sessions and annual/seasonal negotiations.
• Data Analysis: Perform granular auditing and analysis of data; conduct weekly and monthly reviews of customer input metrics and demand coverage.
• Issue Resolution: Promptly address vendor experience issues related to payments, data access, or MIS reports.
• Events: Plan for promotions and events, securing necessary support from brands.

Leadership and Advocacy

• Internal Collaboration: Identify long-term risks and growth opportunities while partnering with internal teams.
• Tool Advocacy: Demonstrate a deep understanding of internal tools and advocate for their enhancement.
• Development: Manage knowledge sharing, personal development, the development of others, and recruiting efforts.

Job Specifications

Education

• MBA.

Experience and Skills

• Relevant Experience: 5+ years in quantitative/financial analysis, retail buying, planning, product management, pricing, marketing, or e-commerce.
• Technical Skills: Proficiency in Excel, proven analytical capabilities, and high numeracy.
• Leadership: Demonstrated experience leading teams and cross-functional projects.
• Negotiation: Proven negotiation and influencing abilities within vendor management.

Core Competencies

• Adaptability: Ability to react quickly in high-energy, fast-paced, and often ambiguous environments.
• Versatility: Capable of operating in both tactical and strategic modes simultaneously.
• Execution: A "roll up the sleeves" attitude with strong attention to detail and effective prioritization skills.