Senior Vendor Manager (APAC)

iHerb; Guam; Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

iHerb is seeking a Senior Vendor Manager for APAC based in Korea (Seoul) with a hybrid work mode. You will lead vendor evaluation and expansion, secure favorable terms, and drive category growth across Korea and Japan.

Strong negotiation, analytics, and cross-functional collaboration are essential. Ideal candidates will have 10+ years in buying or merchandising, deep Korean market knowledge, and fluency in Korean and English.

Qualifications

• Strong negotiation skills with ability to secure favorable terms.
• Advanced analytical, data-interpretation, and decision-making abilities.
• Deep understanding of retail pricing structures, margins, and drivers.
• Extensive knowledge of Korean consumer goods and vendor landscape; knowledge of Japan is a plus.
• Fluency in Korean and English (Japanese a plus).
• Excellent written and verbal communication, capable of influencing stakeholders at all levels.
• Attention to detail; strong organizational and project management capabilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong cross-functional collaboration with Merchandising, Planning, Compliance, Regulatory, and Marketing.

Responsibilities

• Lead evaluation, curation, and expansion of APAC product assortment.
• Negotiate competitive commercial terms, pricing, rebates, and terms with vendors.
• Onboard new brands and manage vendor relationships and contracts across Korea and Japan.
• Collaborate with Inventory, Marketing, Compliance, and Regulatory teams to ensure compliant, timely product launches and promotions.

Skills

Negotiation

Analytical skills

Pricing strategy

Korean market knowledge

English proficiency

Communication

Cross-functional collaboration

Project management

Attention to detail

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Google Workspace

EDI

WMS

SAP

Asana

Tableau

Job description

For A Better YouAt iHerb, we believe that living a healthy and balanced life should be easy and accessible to everyone. As a team member, we’ll empower you to live this promise each day as you make a truly global impact in your career.We constantly strive for innovation, while transforming and improving the online shopping experience for our customers. We believe that individually we are incredible, but when we come together, our growth is infinite. In an industry that is constantly evolving, we are on a mission to make an impact on the global market, and the individual and collaborative efforts of our people are paramount to helping us succeed.Whether you work in one of our logistics centers, technology hubs, corporate offices or even from home, your role at iHerb will take you beyond what’s expected, turning challenge into change. If you're ready for it, we want you to join our team. Get started now.Job SummaryThe Senior Vendor Manager - APAC is responsible for leading the evaluation, curation, and expansion of the product assortment for the APAC region. This includes identifying high-potential brands, developing vendor partnerships, securing competitive commercial terms, and using data-driven insights to drive category and revenue growth.The role requires strong commercial judgement and the ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution. Based in Korea, the Regional Senior Buyer sources and manages brands that meet customer needs, comply with regional requirements, and align with market trends within APAC, with a primary sourcing focus on Korea and potentially Japan. This job is based in Korea, Seoul with a hybrid work mode.Job Expectations:Work closely with the Senior Director, Merchandising and collaborate with global Merchandising teams as needed, to align on business strategies, priorities, and category directionPartner with in-market leadership, to build and maintain an assortment relevant to the APAC marketOwn and monitor key category metrics (KPIs) for new and existing brands, including pricing ,costs, gross margin, markups, product mix, promotions, and the full product lifecycle, while driving continuous improvementUnderstand and navigate APAC-specific compliance, regulatory, and supply-chain requirements, with a primary focus on Korea, and potentially Japan, to ensure proper and compliant buying practicesPartner with Compliance and Regulatory teams to manage catalog additions, documentation, and approvals for the regionProcure products directly from manufacturers or authorized distributors, with a primary sourcing focus on Korea and potentially Japan, following company policies and regional sourcing standardsIdentify and develop high-potential Korean and Japanese brands with strong regional and global growth potentialNegotiate competitive commercial terms, including everyday pricing, marketing budgets, rebates, accruals, delivery schedules, and volume agreementsBuild and maintain strong vendor relationships, manage vendor contracts and product evaluations, and resolve issues in collaboration with cross-functional partnersDrive new product and brand onboarding to ensure timely and accurate integration into the APAC assortmentPartner with Inventory Management and Planning to align on forecasts, inventory turns, vendor performance, and order cyclesCollaborate with Marketing to develop profitable and effective promotional co-op activitiesUse category reports and analytics to identify opportunities, guide decision-making, and support long-term business growthAdhere to company policies regarding safety, business ethics, and standards of conductSupport and develop Assistant Buyers, providing guidance and tools for successThe duties and responsibilities described above may provide only a partial description of this position. This is not an exhaustive list of all aspects of the job. Other duties and responsibilities not outlined in this document may be added as necessary or desirable, with or without notice.Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:Required:Strong and proven negotiation skills, with the ability to secure competitive commercial termsAdvanced analytical, data-interpretation, and decision-making abilitiesStrong understanding of retail pricing structures, margin dynamics, and key category commercial driversDeep familiarity with the Korean consumer goods and vendor landscape; knowledge of the Japanese market is a plusFluency in Korean and English, both written and verbal; Japanese language proficiency is a plusExcellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence internal and external stakeholders at all levelsStrong attention to detail, with solid organizational and project management capabilitiesAbility to manage multiple priorities, solve problems, and make sound judgments in a fast-paced environmentStrong cross-functional collaboration skills, particularly with Merchandising, Planning, Compliance, Regulatory, and MarketingEquipment Knowledge: Experience with Google Workspace, including Gmail, Drive, Docs, Sheets, and Forms is preferred Experience with EDI, WMS, SAP, Asana, or Tableau is a plusExperience Requirements:10+ Years of progressive experience in buying, category management, merchandising, or a directly related commercial role, ideally within an international or regional e-commerce environment, with direct experience sourcing from Korean manufacturers or brands. Experience sourcing from Japanese manufactures or brands is a plus.Education Requirements:Bachelor’s degree in a related field preferred, or a combination of education and equivalent work experience.About iHerbiHerb is on a mission to make health and wellness accessible to all. We offer Earth’s best-curated selection of health and wellness products, at the best possible value, delivered with the most convenient experience.We’re the world’s largest eCommerce platform dedicated to vitamins, minerals, and supplements, and other health and wellness products. For more than 25 years, we’ve been making it simple for people all over the world to purchase the highest quality products. From supplements to skincare to grocery items, we ship over 50,000 products, from over 1,800 brands direct to our customers in 180+ countries.Our vision is to become the #1 destination for health and wellness across the world.With a passion for wellness and a mind for innovative solutions, iHerb team members share a vision for a healthier world that drives them each day. Our 5 Shared Values unite our global team:Focus on the Customer · Empower Our People · Be Entrepreneurial & Pivot Quickly ·Embrace Diversity & Inclusion · Strive for SimplicityiHerb BenefitsAt iHerb, we are dedicated to offering programs designed to help our employees and their families stay healthy, live well, and plan for their financial future. Built on a strong foundation, our programs provide options and upgrades with flexibility, protection, and security in mind. For the comprehensive benefits list, visit www.iHerbBenefits.com. For our international team members, you may be eligible for benefits depending on the country where you are employed. The Talent Acquisition Partner/local HR representative will go over the benefits you are eligible for.iHerb is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status. iHerb provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment.If you like wild growth and working with happy, enthusiastic over-achievers, you'll enjoy your career with us!Staffing Agency Submission NoticeiHerb does not accept unsolicited 3rd party ("Agency") candidates. If you are an Agency, please send any requests to be considered as a supplier in our Vendor Management System to [e-mail]. Do not contact iHerb employees directly. If requested to work on a role, any Agency candidates would be presented through the internal recruiting organization.iHerb is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status. iHerb provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment.If you like wild growth and working with happy, enthusiastic over-achievers, you'll enjoy your career with us!Staffing Agency Submission NoticeiHerb does not accept unsolicited 3rd party ("Agency") candidates. If you are an Agency, please send any requests to be considered as a supplier in our Vendor Management System to [e-mail]. Do not contact iHerb employees directly. If requested to work on a role, any Agency candidates would be presented through the internal recruiting organization.iHerb is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status. iHerb provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment.