CASY-MSCCN Jobs

Overview

The Senior Manager of Vendor Management and Operations contributes to REI’s success by executing the procurement strategy in close partnership with the Merchandising teams, managing key vendor programs and operations teams, and fostering relationships with strategic vendors and internal stakeholders. The key vendor programs and operations will include, but not limited to, contract negotiations and execution, vendor on/off-boarding, performance and non-compliance programs, drop ship operations, and issue / dispute resolution.

The candidate must possess strong business, analytical and operational acumen, have experience developing data-driven business cases and recommendations, and possess a track record of successful negotiations. They also have strong project management and strong communication and organizational skills to manage various vendors, strategic programs and operations teams. The emphasis on a continuous improvement and entrepreneurial mindset, and the ability to navigate a dynamic, evolving environment reflects the opportunities and challenges of this role. This role is expected to embody REI's core values, foster innovation, and prioritize the development of people within the organization. Models and acts in accordance with REI’s guiding values and mission.

Leading the Way

• Identifies and communicates key responsibilities and practices to ensure the organization promotes a successful attitude, confidence in leadership, and teamwork to achieve business results.

• Supports the implementation of company programs, procedures, methods and practices to promote REI key messages.

• Challenges and inspires employees to achieve business results.

• Ensures employees adhere to legal and operational compliance requirements.

• Oversees training and development of employees directly and indirectly managed and makes effective staffing decisions.

• Conducts and ensures the completion of performance reviews.

• Provides coaching, direction and leadership support to employees in order to achieve department, company and customer results.

• Establishes and maintains visibility within the department.

• Monitors operational statistics, reports trends, variances and issues, and takes appropriate action.

Your Planning & Navigating Requirements

• Help shape the vision, direction and culture of the team by managing individual and team performance expectations and goals, monitoring real time service levels, and holding their teams accountable to meet and exceed performance targets.

• Develop and nurture strong strategic relationships with key suppliers and business partners to deliver performance objectives for the business, seeking to continually raise the bar.

• Manage the fundamentals of sourcing and supplier engagement activities including spend pattern analysis, contract execution and analysis, negotiations, and performance management.

• Nurture a culture where accountability, transparency and collaboration are the norm and where rapid deep dives into root causes of defects is a standard operating practice. Contribute to the development of new tools, processes and technology which make our teams more efficient and effective, and benefit our vendors and stakeholders.

• Proactively monitor operational success metrics and drive supplier accountabilities through SLAs and KPIs. Monitor compliance and proactively inform leaders and partners on opportunities and trends. Uplevel existing vendor relationships to ensure alignment on strategic goals, influence product roadmaps and manage escalated issues.

• Have a thorough understanding of the industry, seasonality and business trends/events, and continually monitor competitor/industry developments.

• Understand the technical requirements of our partners and work closely with the internal development teams to guide the direction of vendor program and activities. Provide guidance to technology plans and programs designed to augment and support the procurement function.

• Develop and mentor diverse professionals while creating a performance-driven environment that is diverse, inclusive, and encouraging.

• Seek opportunities for continuous improvement to position operations for scale. Able to streamline and improve processes, drive accountability and compliance, and leverage technology and automation, when appropriate.

• Serve as a champion for change that can act decisively to drive decisions, while demonstrating agility to support the evolution of business needs.

• Build high-performing, collaborative teams. Share growth opportunities to drive team development.

• Ability to consolidate information and feedback from various sources and build consensus with senior leaders, key stakeholders, and initiative team members to resolve issues and reach sound business decisions

• Ability to develop and govern clear KPIs and metrics to derive key insights and accelerate data-driven decision-making.

• Demonstrated understanding of technology tools and systems used in vendor management, such as vendor management systems (VMS), contract lifecycle management (CLM) systems, and risk management tools.

• Other duties as assigned.

Responsibilities and Qualifications

Preferred

• Intermediate skills and experience with SAP, Ariba, SharePoint, EDI, Rithum/CommerceHub, WinShuttle, IBM

• Certification in LEAN, Six Sigma, or other process improvement method

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Management, Marketing or applicable data management experience. Advanced degree (MBA/MS) desired.

• 7+ years demonstrating excellence in vendor management, procurement / sourcing, and/or vendor operations – working in a multi-channel retail company with revenue of $2B

• 5+ years building and /or leading a vendor/supplier management operations within a matrixed organization.

• 5+ years of demonstrated experience leading process improvements efforts and implementing innovative solutions to solve business problems

• 3+ years LEAN Certification or equivalent leading complex change initiatives.

• Demonstrated experience in the omni-channel fulfillment methods, ideally with drop ship and/or marketplace experience

• Possess advanced skills in Microsoft Office business applications.

• Proven change management leadership

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate and build relationships with stakeholders at all levels of the organization.

• Experience working across departments, highly matrixed organization, and works easily in multi-business unit project settings; able to facilitate teamwork across corporate boundaries.

• Strong analytical and financial skills including the ability to quickly synthesize, distill and draw conclusions on large amounts of disparate data.

• Able to manage multiple simultaneous projects requiring frequent communication, organization, time management, and problem-solving skills.

• Actively participates and collaborates with others on one's own team and across the company for the achievement of business goals.

• Flexible in one's viewpoints and positions in order to support the direction taken by others.

• Builds capacity of individuals and teams through effective employee development, involvement, communication, and supervision efforts.

• Creates a strong, mutually supportive work spirit and culture where people can do their best.

• Establishes trust and inspires others.

• Makes effective organization and people decisions in a manner consistent with REI's values and ethics.

• Delivers on commitments and holds others to same.

• Champions the organization and advocates solutions in the overall Company's best interest.

• Uses business knowledge, innovative thinking, and sound judgment in the solution of problems or the pursuit of business opportunities.

• Consolidates information from various sources including feedback from others to reach sound decisions.

• Considers the ultimate impact of decisions and actions on internal and external customers.

• Fosters change in company direction.

• Effectively plans and executes changes.

Closing

At REI, we believe the outdoors is for all. We are committed to becoming a fully inclusive, anti-racist, multicultural organization (https://www.rei.com/newsroom/article/rei-antiracist-multicultural-fully-inclusive-commitment) . We know that there's strength in our diversity – that each employee brings unique skills, experiences, and perspectives. Every day you are driving change, fostering a culture of respect, and knowing you're backed by benefits that support your whole life. To work towards this commitment and fulfill our brand promise of inspiring and enabling a life outside for everyone, we seek employees who demonstrate different ways of working, create a sense of belonging, and actively listen and learn.

Pay Transparency

We are committed to practices that promote pay equity and transparency. As required by applicable Pay Transparency laws, REI provides a range of compensation for roles that may be hired in locations under these requirements. Factors that may be used to determine your actual salary may include a wide array of factors, including: your specific skills and experience, geographic location or other relevant factors.

REI offers all regular employees a generous employee discount, access to health benefits, a retirement savings plan and accrued time off. Click here (https://foryourbenefit-rei.com/) for a detailed overview of benefits plans by employee profile.

Pay Range

$122,800.00 - $208,700.00 per year