- Company Name
- Ingram Barge Company
- Job Title
- Vendor Relations Manager
- Job Description
-
**Job Title:** Vendor Relations Manager
**Role Summary:**
Leads the management of external service providers, developing them into reliable partners that deliver high‑quality service and value. Acts as the primary liaison between vendors and internal stakeholders, overseeing contract negotiation, performance monitoring, cost‑saving initiatives, and strategic planning for fleet leasing, chartering, and real‑estate needs.
**Expectations:**
- Proactive self‑starter with strong problem‑solving abilities.
- Excellent organizational skills and capacity to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
- Effective communicator across logistics, sales, legal, operations, finance, and IT teams.
- Data‑driven decision maker comfortable with analysis, reporting, and presenting findings.
- Ability to negotiate win‑win agreements while minimizing risk and controlling costs.
**Key Responsibilities:**
- Partner with Logistics, Sales, Legal, Operations, Finance, and IT to define vendor requirements and service standards.
- Analyze market data, internal operations, and sales forecasts to negotiate and manage External Services agreements.
- Participate in fleet lease, vessel charter, and vendor service budgeting and planning.
- Evaluate and develop the supplier base, ensuring stability and alignment with operational needs.
- Conduct vendor performance reviews, solicit stakeholder feedback, and drive continuous improvement.
- Lead cost‑reduction, performance‑management, and process‑improvement initiatives.
- Create, negotiate, and administer third‑party service agreements, including bid packages and contract templates.
- Manage the contract pipeline, ensure timely execution, maintain records, and monitor compliance throughout the contract lifecycle.
- Generate regular and ad‑hoc reports, analyses, and presentations for senior leadership.
- Design and oversee exception‑based invoice reviews, vendor audits, and root‑cause remediation.
- Implement technology solutions to monitor third‑party spend, identify exceptions, and report trends.
- Provide backup support for related roles and perform on‑call duties as required.
**Required Skills:**
- Strong analytical and quantitative skills; ability to interpret market and operational data.
- Advanced negotiation and contract management capabilities.
- Excellent written and verbal communication; stakeholder management across functional areas.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint) and experience using spend‑management or vendor‑management software.
- Project‑management aptitude; ability to lead cross‑functional meetings and initiatives.
- Detail‑oriented with a focus on process improvement and cost optimization.
- Knowledge of marine, transportation, or supply‑chain environments (preferred).
**Required Education & Certifications:**
- Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Finance, or a related field.
- Professional certifications such as Certified Professional Contracts Manager (CPCM) or Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) are a plus but not required.