Vendor/Supplier Manager

Owned by Steven Piliero
Last updated: May 21, 2024
2 min read

Name: Maria Hernandez

Age: 37

Education: MBA from University of Pennsylvania, B.S. in Supply Chain Management from Michigan State University

Professional Background:

  • 12+ years of experience in procurement, vendor management, and supply chain operations.

  • Focus areas: Vendor selection and onboarding, contract negotiation and management, performance monitoring and improvement, relationship management, and cost optimization.

  • Previous roles: Vendor Manager at a global technology company, Procurement Specialist at a manufacturing company, Supply Chain Analyst at a retail organization.

  • Special certifications or skills: Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM), Certified in Production and Inventory Management (CPIM), Six Sigma Green Belt

Industry: Varies depending on the organization's focus

Responsibilities:

  • Manage relationships with third-party vendors and suppliers, ensuring they meet contractual obligations and performance standards.

  • Negotiate contracts and service level agreements (SLAs) with vendors, focusing on cost, quality, and delivery terms.

  • Monitor vendor performance and compliance with contractual obligations, escalating issues as needed.

  • Develop and implement vendor performance improvement plans.

  • Collaborate with internal stakeholders to identify and select new vendors that meet the organization's needs.

Goals:

  • Ensure that vendors and suppliers deliver high-quality goods and services on time and within budget.

  • Build strong, collaborative relationships with vendors based on trust and mutual benefit.

  • Optimize vendor costs and drive continuous improvement in vendor performance.

  • Contribute to the organization's overall supply chain resilience and risk mitigation efforts.

Challenges:

  • Managing a large and diverse portfolio of vendors with varying levels of complexity and risk.

  • Dealing with vendor performance issues, contract disputes, and supply chain disruptions.

  • Balancing cost savings with the need for quality and reliability.

  • Building effective communication and collaboration with internal stakeholders and vendors.

Motivations:

  • Building strong, long-term relationships with vendors that benefit both parties.

  • Contributing to the organization's success by ensuring a reliable and cost-effective supply chain.

  • Solving complex vendor management challenges and finding creative solutions.

  • Developing a successful career in procurement and supply chain management.

Tech-Savviness:

  • Proficient in using vendor management software, contract management systems, and procurement tools.

  • Comfortable with data analysis and identifying trends and patterns in vendor performance data.

  • Open to using technology to automate procurement processes and improve vendor visibility.

Behavioral Traits:

  • Relationship-oriented and skilled at building rapport with vendors.

  • Results-oriented and focused on achieving measurable outcomes.

  • Strong negotiator and problem solver, able to resolve conflicts and find win-win solutions.

  • Organized and detail-oriented, with strong project management skills.

Sources of Information:

  • Industry publications and reports on vendor management and procurement (e.g., ISM, CAPS Research).

  • Vendor performance data and feedback from internal stakeholders.

  • Networking with other vendor management professionals and attending industry events.

Quote:

"Successful vendor management is about building partnerships, not just transactional relationships. By understanding our vendors' capabilities and challenges, we can work together to achieve our mutual goals and deliver value to the organization."