Operations

Head of Vendor Relations

Looking to hire your next Head of Vendor Relations? Here’s a full job description template to use as a guide.

About Vintti

At Vintti, we understand the importance of real-time collaboration in today's fast-paced business environment. Our staffing solutions focus on connecting US companies with Latin American talent operating in compatible time zones. This strategic approach ensures that businesses can engage with their team members during regular office hours, facilitating immediate communication, swift problem-solving, and seamless project coordination.

Description

The Head of Vendor Relations is a strategic leadership role responsible for managing and optimizing relationships with external suppliers and service providers. This position involves negotiating contracts, ensuring compliance with company standards, and fostering long-term partnerships that drive business value. By aligning vendor performance with organizational goals, the Head of Vendor Relations plays a critical role in enhancing operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness. The individual in this role must possess strong analytical, communication, and negotiation skills to effectively manage vendor performance and support the company's overall strategic objectives.

Requirements

- Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, or related field.
- Minimum of 7-10 years of experience in vendor management, procurement, or supply chain roles.
- Proven negotiation skills with a track record of achieving cost savings and favorable contract terms.
- Strong analytical skills; proficiency in interpreting KPIs, SLAs, and other performance metrics.
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for effective vendor and internal stakeholder relationships.
- Demonstrated ability to resolve conflicts and manage disputes professionally and efficiently.
- Experience with vendor management software and tools.
- Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
- Knowledge of market research and the ability to identify and evaluate new vendors.
- Understanding of risk management principles and practices.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel and PowerPoint.
- Experience in preparing detailed reports and presentations for senior leadership.
- In-depth knowledge of corporate compliance standards and legal requirements.
- Strong leadership skills; experience overseeing and mentoring a team.
- Ability to develop and implement vendor management strategies.
- Experience facilitating vendor onboarding processes.
- Capability to drive continuous improvement initiatives with vendors and within the supply chain.
- Adept at fostering collaborative relationships with cross-functional teams and internal stakeholders.
- Strong budget management skills and experience tracking contractual expenditures.
- Proven ability to address and resolve urgent vendor-related issues impacting business operations.
- Up-to-date knowledge of industry trends and best practices in vendor management.

Responsabilities

- Oversee and manage relationships with all vendors and suppliers.
- Negotiate contracts, terms, and pricing with vendors.
- Conduct regular meetings with key vendors to discuss performance and improvements.
- Monitor vendor performance through KPIs and SLAs.
- Resolve issues or disputes with vendors.
- Collaborate with the procurement team for timely and cost-effective purchases.
- Develop and implement vendor management strategies.
- Conduct market research to identify new vendors and stay updated on industry trends.
- Evaluate and assess risks and reliability of vendors.
- Prepare reports and presentations on vendor performance for senior leadership.
- Ensure compliance with company policies, standards, and legal requirements.
- Supervise and mentor the vendor relations team.
- Facilitate the onboarding process of new vendors.
- Track and manage budgets related to vendor contracts and expenditures.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives with vendors.
- Coordinate cross-functional teams to address operational challenges related to vendors.
- Utilize vendor management software and tools to enhance efficiency.
- Address urgent vendor-related issues impacting business operations.
- Implement best practices in vendor management.
- Foster collaborative relationships with internal stakeholders to align vendor strategies with organizational goals.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate for the Head of Vendor Relations is a seasoned professional with a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, or a related field, and possesses 7-10 years of robust experience in vendor management, procurement, or supply chain roles. This individual has a proven track record of exceptional negotiation skills, consistently achieving cost savings and securing favorable contract terms. With strong analytical skills, they effortlessly interpret KPIs, SLAs, and other performance metrics, while their outstanding communication and interpersonal abilities ensure the cultivation of effective relationships with vendors and internal stakeholders. They are adept at resolving conflicts and managing disputes professionally, leveraging their experience with vendor management software and tools to enhance efficiency. Demonstrating strong leadership, they have successfully overseen and mentored teams, driving continuous improvement initiatives within the supply chain. The perfect candidate showcases excellent project management skills, managing multiple priorities and deadlines with ease. They excel in market research, identifying and evaluating new vendors, and possess a thorough understanding of risk management principles. Proficient in the Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel and PowerPoint, they are capable of preparing insightful reports and presentations for senior leadership. Their deep knowledge of corporate compliance standards and legal requirements underpins their meticulous approach to vendor interactions. This professional thrives in fast-paced, dynamic environments, exhibiting exceptional organizational, problem-solving, and critical thinking abilities. With a strategic mindset, proactive attitude, and commitment to excellence, they foster collaborative relationships across cross-functional teams and internal stakeholders, aligning vendor strategies with organizational goals. Their capacity to address urgent vendor-related issues, coupled with strong budget management skills, sets them apart as a results-driven, adaptable, and highly motivated leader, dedicated to maintaining high standards of quality and service in all aspects of vendor management.

On a typical day, you will...

- Oversee and manage relationships with all vendors and suppliers.
- Negotiate contracts, terms, and pricing with vendors to ensure favorable conditions and cost savings.
- Conduct regular meetings with key vendors to discuss performance, expectations, and potential improvements.
- Monitor vendor performance through key performance indicators (KPIs) and service level agreements (SLAs).
- Resolve any issues or disputes with vendors in a timely and professional manner.
- Collaborate with the procurement team to ensure timely and cost-effective purchasing of necessary goods and services.
- Develop and implement vendor management strategies to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
- Conduct market research to identify potential new vendors and stay updated on industry trends.
- Evaluate and assess the risk and reliability of vendors on a regular basis.
- Prepare reports and presentations on vendor performance and relationship management for senior leadership.
- Ensure compliance with company policies, standards, and legal requirements in all vendor interactions.
- Supervise and mentor the vendor relations team, providing guidance and support for their professional development.
- Facilitate the onboarding process of new vendors, including necessary documentation and compliance checks.
- Track and manage budgets related to vendor contracts and expenditures.
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives with vendors to enhance overall supply chain performance.
- Coordinate cross-functional teams to address and resolve any operational challenges related to vendors.
- Utilize vendor management software and tools to streamline processes and enhance efficiency.
- Address any urgent vendor-related issues that could impact business operations.
- Implement best practices in vendor management to ensure high standards of quality and service.
- Foster strong, collaborative relationships with internal stakeholders to align vendor strategies with organizational goals.

What we are looking for

- Strong leadership capabilities with a collaborative approach
- Exceptional negotiation skills
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities
- Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills
- High level of professionalism and integrity
- Proactive attitude with a strategic mindset
- Exceptional organizational and project management skills
- Detail-oriented with strong multitasking abilities
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced and dynamic environment
- Strong critical thinking and decision-making skills
- Results-driven and highly motivated
- Adaptable and flexible with changing demands
- Customer-focused with a commitment to excellence
- Strong conflict resolution and diplomacy skills
- Ability to build and maintain strong professional relationships

What you can expect (benefits)

- Competitive salary range commensurate with experience
- Comprehensive health insurance (medical, dental, vision)
- Retirement savings plan with company match
- Paid time off (vacation, sick leave, personal days)
- Employee wellness programs
- Flexible work schedule options
- Remote work opportunities
- Professional development and career advancement programs
- Continuing education opportunities
- Tuition reimbursement
- Employee assistance programs
- Life and disability insurance
- Performance bonuses and incentives
- Travel expense reimbursement
- Company-sponsored social events and activities
- Gym membership discounts
- Employee recognition and reward programs
- Access to professional networking opportunities
- Collaborative and innovative work environment
- Support for attending industry conferences and workshops

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