Vendor Manager (Remote, US)

Apex Wheels; Pleasanton (CA); Remote; USD 85,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading automotive firm in California is seeking an experienced International Vendor Manager to oversee global manufacturing relationships, focusing on vendor performance, negotiations, and communications. The ideal candidate will have strong backgrounds in vendor management, supply chains, and experience with Mandarin-speaking manufacturers. This full-time role offers competitive compensation, remote work options, and a casual work environment.

Benefits

Full medical benefits

401(k) with company match

Paid Time Off

Track-Day reimbursements

Employee discounts

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in purchasing, production, and manufacturing with vendor management responsibilities.
• 5+ years managing relationships with Mandarin-speaking contract manufacturers is preferred.
• Ability to travel up to 15% domestically and internationally required.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the primary liaison between Apex and international manufacturing partners.
• Onboard new vendors strategically to mitigate risk and support product launches.
• Develop and maintain vendor scorecards to evaluate quality and lead time.

Skills

Excellent English written and verbal communication skills

Detail-oriented with analytical and critical thinking skills

Proficiency in Mandarin

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Materials Management, Business, or related field

Tools

ERP systems (such as NetSuite)

Forecasting software

Slack

Gmail

Job description

Overview

Apex is looking for an experienced, steady, and proactive International Vendor Manager to strengthen the foundation of our global manufacturing relationships. The role focuses on managing long-term contracts with Southeast Asian contract manufacturers, ensuring vendor performance in quality, timeliness, and cost, while maintaining healthy partnerships that scale with Apex.

Responsibilities

• Vendor Relationship Management: Serve as the primary liaison between Apex and international manufacturing partners, ensuring mutual understanding across time zones, languages, and cultural expectations. Own vendor relationships and proactively follow up with vendors for their deliverables to keep production on track.
• Vendor Onboarding: Identify and onboard new vendors strategically to mitigate risk, diversify supply, and support future product launches. Develop scalable onboarding and evaluation frameworks for growth and new product categories.
• Vendor Performance Management: Develop and maintain vendor scorecards to evaluate quality, lead time, cost, communication responsiveness, and risk. Translate forecasts and plans into clear vendor deliverables; track and negotiate cost structures; mediate disputes diplomatically; safeguard Apex's interests.
• Vendor Communications: Lead morning or early evening group calls to check in with vendors and solve problems. Conduct quarterly business reviews (QBRs). Maintain timely, clear communication and documentation of key decisions, commitments, and follow-ups. Train internal stakeholders on vendor communication best practices and escalation protocols.
• Contract Management and Negotiations: Own the vendor contract lifecycle from drafting and negotiation through renewal and compliance tracking. Refine vendor management systems and leverage AI/automation where appropriate. Align vendor strategy with Apex's growth, innovation, and sustainability goals.
• Support Quality Management: Ensure compliance with quality standards; coordinate audits and corrective actions; enforce contracts to improve quality; establish and monitor corrective action plans.
• Continuous Improvement: Improve processes using APICS or similar methodology; establish department KPIs; implement risk mitigation plans; ensure compliance with trade regulations and ethical sourcing; create knowledge-sharing resources.
• Internal Collaboration: Liaise with Engineering, Sales, Marketing, Customer Service, and Supply Chain; support engineering with run-rates and future projects; may manage one or more employees in the future.
• Other duties as assigned.

How to Apply

When submitting your application, please include a cover letter that answers the following questions: How have you tailored your vendor management approach when dealing with single or dual sourcing vendors? Mention challenges faced and how you overcame them. If you have limited experience with single/dual sourcing, share a win when you had little leverage with a vendor. If you do not speak Mandarin, describe how you’ve overcome language barriers with vendors.

Requirements

• Excellent English written and verbal communication skills.
• A bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Materials Management, Business, or related field is strongly preferred.
• 5+ years of experience in purchasing, production, and manufacturing with vendor management responsibilities.
• 5+ years of experience managing relationships with Mandarin-speaking contract manufacturers is highly preferred.
• 3+ years of experience managing vendor relationships for single or dual-sourced products.
• Detail-oriented with analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Ability to travel up to 15% domestically and internationally (China, East Asia) is required.
• ERP systems (such as NetSuite) and forecasting software experience a plus.
• APICS certification or equivalent is preferred.
• Proficiency in Mandarin is highly preferred.
• Slack and Gmail experience preferred; project management experience and tools are a plus.
• Bonus points for knowledge of performance automotive enthusiasts.

Benefits

• Compensation: Full-time, salaried exempt; $85,000 – $100,000 total compensation, depending on location and experience. Higher salary requirements will be considered.
• Medical Benefits: Apex covers 100% of monthly premiums for employees and dependents under 14 on base plans, with options to add dependents and HSAs where available.
• Dental and Vision: Apex covers 100% of base plan premiums; optional upgrade with additional coverage.
• 401(k) with Company Match: Generous matching contributions after 6 months of full-time employment.
• Paid Time Off: Vacation accrues immediately and grows with tenure; sick leave from day one; 11 paid holidays including Juneteenth and Indigenous Peoples' Day.
• Track-Day Reimbursements: Reimbursements for HPDE, autocross event fees, and related activities.
• Employee Discounts: Discounts on Apex products and swag; friends and family discounts available.
• Work Remote: Remote work from anywhere in the contiguous US.
• Casual Environment: Casual dress code; participation in company activities such as karting and sim racing.