Vendor Manager

Every day we work to connect the brands and customers we serve with those who love pets.
Our Values:
Integrity | Accountability | Collaboration | Passionate |Results-Oriented | Safety
Do you share these values? Apply today and join our team!
Are you passionate about pets? Want to help create a world where every pet is happy, healthy, and safe? Would you like to work for a company that cares about its employees?
We’re looking for a Vendor Manager to join our team!
The Vendor Manager is responsible for building and managing relationships with Animal Supply Company’s (ASC) variety of brands. The Vendor Manager serves as the point person for category vendors, maintains communication flow with new and existing vendors, drives strategic initiatives, and provides a wide range of support, ultimately driving mutual success for ASC and the vendor partner.
In this exciting role, you will:
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily.

• Vendor Relationship Management:
• Foster positive and productive relationships with vendors, acting as the main point of contact.
• Regularly communicate and collaborate with vendors to address inquiries and concerns.
• Conduct vendor meetings and business reviews to evaluate and enhance the vendor's performance.
• Resolve conflicts and manage escalations between the company and vendors, ensuring mutual satisfaction.
• Vendor Performance Evaluation and Improvement:
• Develop and implement metrics to assess vendor performance, quality, and delivery.
• Conduct regular performance evaluations, utilizing data and feedback to measure vendor performance.
• Identify areas for improvement and work with vendors to implement corrective actions and drive continuous improvement.
• Provide feedback to vendors on performance, addressing issues, and reinforcing expectations.
• Facilitate the onboarding and offboarding process, ensuring vendors have the necessary information and resources to transition smoothly.
• Contract Management and Compliance:
• Ensure vendor contracts align with the company's requirements and protect its interests.
• Monitor contract terms, milestones, and obligations to ensure compliance by both parties.
• Track and manage vendor performance against agreed-upon key performance indicators (KPIs) and service level agreements (SLAs).
• Collaborate with Legal/Procurement teams to ensure contracts are accurate and properly executed.
• Risk Management:
• Identify potential risks associated with vendor relationships, such as compliance or supply chain disruptions.
• Monitor and manage vendor compliance with legal, regulatory, and ethical standards.
• Conduct audits and assessments as needed to ensure vendor compliance and risk mitigation.
• Vendor Communication and Collaboration:
• Effectively communicate with internal stakeholders, such as Procurement, Finance, Sales, and Operations, to align vendor strategies with business goals.
• Collaborate cross-functionally to ensure efficient and effective vendor management processes.
• Coordinate with vendors and internal teams on product or service requirements, and changes.
• Share information, updates, and performance insights with stakeholders to facilitate decision-making.
• Vendor Strategy and Optimization:
• Work with Vendor Sales Team on the development of vendor and go-to-market strategies.
• Continuously evaluate the vendor landscape to identify potential new vendors and innovative solutions.
• Optimize vendor relationships and processes to drive cost savings, efficiency, and value for the company.
• Stay updated on industry best practices, emerging technologies, and market trends.

This is not intended to be an all-inclusive list; other duties may be required. These duties and responsibilities are subject to change at any time.
Do you have the following qualifications?

• Vendor Relationship Management: Ability to establish and maintain positive and productive relationships with vendors, including effective communication, negotiation skills, conflict resolution, and managing expectations.
• Contract Management: Proficiency in contract reviews, with strong attention to detail to ensure that contracts are aligned with the company's requirements and protect its interests.
• Supplier Performance Evaluation: Ability to evaluate vendor performance based on key performance indicators (KPIs), conduct performance reviews, address issues, and drive improvements.
• Supply Chain Management: Understanding of supply chain processes and how vendors contribute to the overall supply chain, logistics, inventory management, and demand planning.
• Vendor Risk Management: Ability to identify potential risks, develop contingency plans, and ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.
• Communication & Negotiation: Strong communication and negotiation skills to effectively interact with vendors, internal stakeholders, and cross-functional teams.
• Analytical & Problem-Solving Abilities: Proficiency in analyzing data, identifying trends, and making data-driven decisions, with the ability to solve complex problems.
• Financial Acumen: Understanding of financial concepts, cost structures, and budgeting, with the ability to analyze vendor pricing, terms, and proposals to ensure cost-effectiveness and value for the company.
• Project Management: Strong project management skills to effectively plan, execute, and monitor projects or initiatives and the ability to manage multiple vendors, prioritize tasks, and meet deadlines.
• Continuous Improvement: Commitment to continuous improvement and seeking ways to enhance vendor management processes, optimize costs, drive efficiency, and implement best practices.
• Stakeholder Management: Skill in managing relationships with cross-functional teams, to align vendor management strategies with business objectives and ensure collaboration and support.

Your education & experience should be similar to:

• Bachelor’s degree or above in a related field preferred; relevant work experience will be considered in lieu of degree.
• 7+ years of vendor relationship experience, preferably supporting a high-volume complex supply chain.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office including a high level of Excel expertise, including data analytics, and a strong aptitude for the creation of easily understandable data visuals intended for mass distribution.

Working conditions:

• Remote professional home office setting with reliable internet.
• Be available via computer, video conferencing, and phone during business hours.
• Be able to work outside of the core schedule, based on business needs.
• Travel required, 25%.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The required physical abilities to perform this job:

• Primarily driving and sitting, with some walking, standing, and bending.
• Able to hear and speak on the telephone.
• Close visual work on a computer terminal.
• Dexterity of hands and fingers to operate a keyboard, mouse, and other technical instruments.

Employees are our greatest assets. That’s why we offer benefits like medical, dental and vision plans, paid time off, 401(k) plans and discounts on pet products.
The estimated annualized base salary range for the Vendor Manager is $75,000 – $95,000. Animal Supply Company (ASC) compensation is based on multiple factors including, but not limited to role, level, and location. In addition, ASC’s pay can vary based on knowledge, skills, and experience for each candidate for the posted position. Included in ASC’s total compensation are benefits such as medical, dental, and retirement.
At Animal Supply Company, we provide fair and equal employment opportunity for all team members and candidates regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, or disability. Animal Supply Company hires and promotes individuals solely on the basis of their qualifications for the position to be filled. Animal Supply Company participates in E-Verify.
At Animal Supply Company, we connect passionate people, trusted brands and committed retailers to bring pets the very best.
We provide the knowledge and support to help our partners grow. Together, we help pets live happier, healthier lives.
Because when pets thrive, the people who love and care for them do too.

Health insurance, Dental insurance, 401(k), Paid time off, Vision insurance