Vendor Manager at Noble

WHO WE ARE

NOBLE drives mission success with world-class products, logistics, services, and training through accelerated procurement.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Vendor Manager is responsible for developing and maintaining the vendor strategy that aligns with company objectives. The Vendor Manager will achieve operational objectives by cultivating and maintaining strong vendor relationships with vendor partners and suppliers. The candidate will take a proactive approach in reviewing current systems and procedures, making recommendations, and implementing changes that will improve the efficiencies within the department and increase overall profit. The role is key to leading the company forward in securing relationships with quality suppliers of materials and components covering contractual, price, delivery, and quality targets, and to obtain/maintain competitive advantages with pricing, terms and conditions.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Reasonable Accommodations Statement

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the essential duties outlined below. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

Essential Functions Statements

● Main point of contact for core market partners accounting for ~80% of business revenue.

● Negotiate partnerships to continue to drive for more market share at higher margins. Responsible for negotiating and reviewing distribution agreements with partners.

● Execute core vendor program and all due outs within a program like Quarterly Business Reviews.

● Communicate and educate sales on where they should be focusing to maximize revenue and profitability through newsletters, all-hands meetings, etc.

● Schedule and identify vendor training to keep sales up to date on products.

● ​​Maintain key Vendor Directory information in pertinent company systems (i.e. Salesforce), and relay competitive advantage information to internal sales teams within systems. Information should include Dealer of Records, price lists and validity dates, sales territory information, Points of Contact, product information, competitive data, etc.

● Responsible for maintaining knowledge of company's entire product/capability offerings, as well as contract or sales opportunities with core vendor partners.

● Collaborate with core vendor partners on pipeline, forecast, target accounts and markets. Routinely run Salesforce pipeline reports for vendors within the various markets. Information to be reviewed during Quarterly Business Reviews.

● Work to identify opportunities for growth in the market categories.

● Conduct Quarterly Business Reviews with all core vendor partners in designated markets. Responsible for Quarterly Business Review format, data collection and execution.

● Bi-annually support core vendor program review and provide input on market and partner status.

● Professionally represent NOBLE through the facilitation and attendance at vendor training, meetings, workshops, and tradeshows.

● Support the internal Sales Team and other NOBLE team members on vendor selections for specific programs, projects, and upcoming IDIQs. Make recommendations based on support, profitability, and access when direction on product is needed.

● Analyze margin trends with core vendor partners as part of the core vendor program to track and maximize profitability when possible.

● Liaise with the legal team to complete regular review and revision of NDAs, distributor agreements, and supplier qualification forms for core vendor or strategic partners.

● Perform initial review of all agreements for comment and structure before legal review.

● Collaborate with the marketing team and core vendor partners for branding and marketing opportunities on catalog submissions, advertising, and trade show exhibitions.

● Negotiate marketing cooperative funds alongside marketing with core vendor partners.

● Schedule and oversee NOBLE training for the various market segments and products.

● Coordinate and strategize with sales on the core vendor or strategic partners to schedule demonstrations including virtual (i.e. Crowdcast).

● Lead negotiations with core vendor partners as it relates to discounts, sales territory, customer access, payment terms, rebates, and overall profitability.

● Liaise with Purchasing, Operations, Sales, Training, and Service to provide feedback and data to core vendor partners whenever possible. Support discussions as needed if a core vendor partner is not meeting desired metrics.

● Manage various market vendors and data including sales averages, profitability, training/service access, pipeline/forecasts, etc.

● Identify ways to increase core vendor score and ultimately sales for NOBLE and designated partners.

● Perform market analyses using a designated template for the target market.

● Responsible for strategically supporting sales negotiations or vendor discussions.

POSITION QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

● Demonstrated ability to build and maintain strong, collaborative relationships with vendors, suppliers, and business partners.

● Strong negotiation, conflict resolution, and issue escalation management skills.

● Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively at all levels of an organization.

● Ability to influence outcomes and drive accountability without direct authority.

● Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to identify trends, risks, and opportunities for process improvement.

● Experience developing and monitoring vendor performance metrics, service level agreements (SLAs), and key performance indicators (KPIs).

● Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel, Word, and PowerPoint; experience with CRM, ERP, or vendor management systems preferred.

● Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, deadlines, and stakeholder expectations simultaneously.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

● Bachelor's Degree preferred or equivalent experience.

● 2+ years of sales and/or business development experience with a track record of capture and program management within assigned market and region.

● 2+ years of experience with US Government contracting and acquisition prior military experience is a plus.

● Exceptional understanding of government customers, operations, and requirements coupled with a of key industry supplier relationships.

COMPUTER SKILLS

● NetSuite/Oracle

● Tableau

● Slack

● Salesforce

● Other Business Software

● Excel

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

● Normal office environment

● Some travel required (~25%)

Equal Opportunity Statement

Noble provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, amnesty, status as a covered veteran, or any other protected category in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. Noble complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

https://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/eeopost.pdf

https://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/posters/fmlaen.pdf

https://www.dol.gov/whd/regs/compliance/posters/eppac.pdf

The Company has reviewed this job description to ensure that essential functions and basic duties have been included. It is intended to provide guidelines for job expectations and the employee's ability to perform the position described. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate. This document does not represent a contract of employment, and the Company reserves the right to change this job description and/or assign tasks for the employee to perform, as the Company may deem appropriate.