The Manager of Vendor Relations and Product Development will lead the creation of a scalable vendor management framework, identify new business opportunities, and align vendor capabilities with long-term product and organizational strategy. The role is responsible for leading the sourcing, negotiation, and management of vendor partnerships, while overseeing the end-to-end process of product development. This role serves as a key liaison between vendors, internal stakeholders, and cross-functional teams to ensure high-quality, cost-effective, and timely product delivery. The ideal candidate will possess strong analytical skills, a deep understanding of consumer behavior, and the ability to interpret data to make informed decisions.
Responsibilities:
Develop and implement a comprehensive vendor management framework to standardize onboarding, performance evaluation, risk management, and compliance tracking.
Identify, qualify, and onboard new vendors aligned with strategic business goals, diversification needs, and emerging market trends.
Lead contract negotiations with a focus on long-term value creation, risk mitigation, and strategic alignment.
Build and maintain strong relationships with vendors and suppliers.
Ensure all vendor relationships maintain optimal terms for pricing, and service-level agreements (SLAs)
Monitor vendor performance, conduct regular reviews, and implement corrective actions when needed.
Collaborate with legal and product compliance teams to ensure compliance with policies and regulations.
Lead the product development lifecycle from concept through launch, in collaboration with design and product teams.
Manage timelines, resources, and budgets for new product initiatives.
Ensure products meet quality standards, market requirements, and brand positioning.
Facilitate communication between internal teams and external partners to ensure consistent execution.
Creates and maintains the Snow Commerce product roadmap aligned with revenue and margin targets.
Defines product assortment utilizing the a best in class vendor network.
Analyzes unit economics to ensure our pricing strategy delivers company margin goals and are market competitive.
Experience:
Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Product Development or related field
5+ years of experience in vendor management, sourcing, or product development
Strong negotiation and contract management skills.
Demonstrated ability to manage cross-functional projects and meet deadlines.
Excellent communication, analytical, and organizational skills.
Intermediate to advanced computer proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
