Vendor Manager

Job Description Partnership & Strategic Deal-Making

Identify, evaluate, and secure strategic partnerships that expand market opportunities and create long-term value.

Lead complex negotiations with vendors, partners, and stakeholders to deliver win-win outcomes and strengthen business relationships.

Structure and close strategic agreements including alliances, sourcing deals, licensing, and joint ventures.

Stay on top of market developments and trends across existing and new products / categories.

Assortment & Pricing Strategy

Develop and own the overall assortment strategy, including product selection, end-to-end onboarding and purchasing prices.

Stay on top of market developments and trends for the most relevant pricing when sourcing.

Own and source the private/own brand assortment: defining products, vendor selection, tender cycles, and negotiations.

Vendor & Sourcing Strategy

Develop vendor and sourcing strategies to optimize costs, margins, and rebates while mitigating market cost pressures.

Lead vendor negotiations to improve costs, contractual terms, and cash flow management.

Manage vendor performance in line with contractual agreements, driving accountability, and continuous improvement.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Customer Focus

Partner with Sales to meet customer needs, supporting product specifications, large deal requirements, and tender processes.

Build strong internal and external relationships to influence and align stakeholders on assortment, sourcing, and vendor plans.

Provide market-relevant insights into vendor performance, cost developments, and future forecasting to enable effective decision-making.

Qualifications

Proven experience in business development, partnerships, vendor management, or assortment strategy.

Strong commercial acumen with a track record of leading negotiations and improving cost/margin performance.

Experience in developing product and pricing strategies across multiple markets or countries.

Excellent relationship-building, stakeholder management, and influencing skills.

Analytical mindset with the ability to interpret market trends, forecast costs, and drive strategic decision-making.

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Economics, Supply Chain, or related field (MBA is a plus).

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