Senior Director - Supplier Relations

Socket.dev; Jersey Village (TX); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus/incentive plan

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Retirement savings plan

Job summary

Wesco International, Inc. is seeking a Senior Vendor Relationship Manager to lead strategic supplier management and regional programs in a large electrical distribution network. You will drive profitability while ensuring quality and service levels across key vendors.

The role requires deep negotiation, leadership, and cross-functional collaboration with sales and operations. The organization offers robust benefits and a Fortune 500, global platform for career growth.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required with extensive distribution industry leadership.
• 15 years of management experience in electrical distribution.
• Proven negotiation and strategic planning abilities.
• Strong communication and vendor relationship skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop strategic plans for top suppliers and monitor performance.
• Lead vendor negotiations and term agreements.
• Improve procurement processes and risk management across regions.
• Collaborate with sales to align supplier programs with regional goals.

Skills

Negotiation

Strategic thinking

Stakeholder management

Leadership

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Job description

Partnering with the Sales and sales support teams, this role is responsible for providing strategic and tactical leadership to manage the relationship with key/strategic suppliers for a specific business unit . Develops strategic relationship management plans that include capacity planning, field sales engagement, Supplier Volume Rebates, and high-level negotiations. Monitors monthly and quarterly performance and compliance with Wesco’s standards while driving continuous improvement and resolving performance issues.

Responsibilities:

Strategic Development

• Balance strategic goals, operational performance and cost mitigation through network optimization by building annual business plans for top fifteen suppliers.
• Identify business needs through analyzing metrics and providing overviews of industry landscape and maintain awareness of current market trends and conditions that may affect vendors and pricing and may have an operational or strategic impact on the company.
• Create plans to address competitive gaps.
• Selects, manages, evaluates, and develops staff.

Vendor Relationship Development and Management

• Drive down unit cost of network through development and implementation of a vendor strategy while maintaining operational performance.
• Ability to improve end-to-end supplier performance through increasing capacity, improving supplier supply chain responsiveness, and raising performance standards, whilst maintaining high levels of quality.
• Partner with sales to building sales programs in each region which will ultimately lead to reciprocal sales from our large vendors.
• Managing relationships with vendors to ensure WESCO has the right connections into key vendors at all levels and functions from day-to-day ordering to escalation and strategic negotiation.

Risk Management and Process Improvement

• Evaluate, renegotiate, and approve vendor MSAs to meet current market standards for key terms such SVRs, payment terms, cash discounts, and marketing cooperative advertising.
• Monitor day-to-day vendor risk management processes and procedures to ensure consistency with corporate policy while resolving disputes and minimizing corporate exposure.
• Act upon gathered performance data and provide quarterly feedback to business partners to identify key activities and priorities nationally and regionally.
• Continue to improve procurement tools and staff training to facilitate efficient processing of tail and cross-connect charges in direct support of customer deals.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• 15 years required of management in electrical distribution industry.
• 15 years required of progressive management in varied organizational development projects and programs.
• 10-15 years of experience, building the following skills:
• Demonstrable negotiation skills in standard as well as complex environments/situations.
• Successful track record showing ability to work with a team to set strategic direction aligned with business goals with a clear execution plan and activity.
• Business and management principles related to strategic planning and resource allocation.
• Knowledge of industry including suppliers, customers, and competitors.
• Strong communication, analytical, negotiation skills.
• Strong strategic thinking skills.
• Ability to identify and cultivate external resources preferred.
• Ability to develop and manage vendor relationships and service providers preferred.
• Ability to work with senior management, as well as regional and group operational teams preferred.
• Ability for solve problems preferred.
• Ability to find and grow employees capable of moving up a minimum of two levels preferred.

This amount is what we reasonably believe we will pay for the position; however, offer amounts may vary based on factors such as geographic location, relevant education, experience, qualifications, skills, shift, or any collective bargaining agreements. For eligible positions, compensation may include participation in a bonus or sales incentive plan, subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable plan documents. For certain sales roles, Wesco also offers a commission structure that provides additional compensation based on sales results, as defined by the applicable commission plan. In addition, Wesco offers a benefits program for eligible employees, which may include paid time off, medical, dental, and vision coverage, and retirement savings plans. Additional details about benefits are available here.

At Wesco, we build, connect, power and protect the world. As a leading provider of business‑to‑business distribution, logistics services and supply chain solutions, we create a world that you can depend on. Our Company's greatest asset is our people. Wesco is committed to fostering a workplace where every individual is respected, valued, and empowered to succeed. We promote a culture that is grounded in teamwork and respect. With a workforce of over 20,000 people worldwide, we embrace the unique perspectives each person brings. Through comprehensive benefits and active community engagement, we create an environment where every team member has the opportunity to thrive.

Founded in 1922 and headquartered in Pittsburgh, Wesco is a publicly traded (NYSE: WCC) FORTUNE 500® company.

Wesco International, Inc., including its subsidiaries and affiliates (“Wesco”) provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, religion, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, or other characteristics protected by law. US applicants only, we are an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Los Angeles Unincorporated County Candidates Only: Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance and the California Fair Chance Act.

This posting is for a current, active vacancy intended for immediate hire.