Supplier Relationship Manager

The Supplier Relationship Manager is responsible for developing and maintaining business relationships with assigned suppliers to maximize the value of the partnerships.

 

This role will utilize cross-functional collaboration with merchandising, marketing, sales, finance, operations and IT to establish tools to measure the all-in profitability of a supplier’s product line and develop the plans for continued engagement and improvement.

 

This role will be accountable for driving supplier relationships that lead to the development of additional value, improved operational efficiencies, and long-term cost avoidance with the supplier’s product lines.

Major Duties

 

Supplier Continuous Improvement

• Assist in the development of Supplier segmentation and determine appropriate negotiation and relationship strategy for each supplier segment
• Assist in the development, deployment, and analysis of Supplier Score Cards with the business units and the supplier base.
• Assist in the design, development, and training of a Vendor Portal for Patterson Companies.
• Develop and Execute Performance Improvement Plans when required for assigned Suppliers
• Conduct supplier analysis, evaluate potential suppliers, and manage the overall supplier qualification process.
• Collaborate with suppliers to drive down costs for the business while deepening supplier relationship.
• Supplier manufacturing network and transportation nodes
• Packaging and ability to minimize damages thru our network
• Partnering with Supply Chain Demand planning on forecasting to align with Supplier production runs

Communication

• Act as a supplier advocate within the organization. Assist supplier and internal teams in resolving issues that may arise
• Evaluate and recommend supplier relationship decisions to management.
• Assist the category management team in identifying preferred suppliers to utilize in category rationalization
• Establish rapport with other Patterson teams, build effective relationships, and share wins and successes
• Assist in the development of monthly reports – to measure and communicate progress, obstacles, wins obtained with the supplier base. This would include any cost reductions and/or other margin improvements gained thru this team.
• Identify opportunities for process improvement and efficiencies, proactively question existing processes and procedures, and implement change to gain efficiencies
• Performs other duties as assigned

 

Critical Competencies

 

Customer Focus - Listens and understands customer’s needs and develops value-added partnerships with customers. Goes beyond basic service expectations to help customers implement solutions and achieve objectives.       Provides timely resolution to customer requests and issues.

 

Drive for Results - Demonstrates drive, determination, and ownership to achieve both results and success.         Focuses on desired outcomes, not just reactive, quick solutions, and how best to achieve them.         Takes personal responsibility for the quality and timeliness of work, and achieves results with little oversight.

 

Communication: Actively listens and communicates clearly and effectively both verbally and non-verbally. Understands the importance of relationships to ensure team success; demonstrates compassion and understand; open to other viewpoints in the interest of achieving best possible outcomes. Builds positive relationships, uses tact in sensitive situations; listens well to various points of view; relates well to others at all levels.

 

Collaboration - Takes time to get to know others in and outside his/her immediate areas of responsibility. Builds and nurtures a diverse network of contacts. Shares examples of personal insight where it will help the collaboration or teamwork. Establishes rapport with people across the organization

 

 

 

Minimum Qualifications (Below are examples):

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, industrial engineering or related field
• 7+ years of experience in a supplier relationship or sourcing role with increasing responsibility
• 4+ years of contract negotiation experience
• Demonstrated experience managing complex relationship matrices and influencing
• Working knowledge of manufacturing or distribution environment
• Excellent oral and written communication skills. Ability to work and influence others from different functional areas and levels within and outside the organization
• Excellent organizational, decision making and analytical skills
• Strong knowledge of process improvement tools and techniques (lean, 6 sigma etc.)
• Proficiency in MS Office - (Word, Excel, Power Point Etc.)
• Project management experience

 

Preferred Qualifications (Below are examples):

• Master’s degree
• Professional qualification / certification from related professional body, (ISM – CPM / CPSM, APICS) would be an added advantage
• Knowledge of and/or experience in a Distribution/ Logistics environment

Not ready to apply? for general consideration.