National Vendor Manager

Career Opportunity

National Vendor Manager

Why you'll love Canada Cartage

An iconic Canadian company with over 100 years of helping companies grow and succeed in Canada, we provide national dedicated fleet solutions, general freight services, managed transportation, fulfillment & distribution, and home delivery. With a national network of terminals, cross-docks, and distribution centers, we are one of Canada's largest and most trusted supply chain service providers. Driven to exceed customer expectations, and supported by technology and innovation, we bring simplicity to complex logistics challenges.

We work with intelligent and focused leaders who are driven to create an outstanding customer experience in partnership with Canadian leading brands. Canada Cartage is deep rooted in family values with an entrepreneurial culture where ideas are welcomed, growth is fostered and high performance is championed. A recognized thought leader and founded in 1914, Canada Cartage dominates the industry by delivering innovative fleet solutions.

Position Summary

The Vendor Manager (VM) is accountable for the evaluation, integration, oversight, and performance of all vendors that support Canada Cartage's Maintenance and repair operations. Including Day to Day maintenance and repair vendors, over the road breakdown vendors, Tire vendors, and others. They resolve vendor services and supplies issues and also researches the market and requests bids from vendors / contractors. Other responsibilities include negotiating rates, Standard repair times and other SLA's with vendors as well as maintaining frequent and productive communication with vendors. The VM works in collaboration with Maintenance shop leadership as well as front line Maintenance Coordinators to ensure Canada cartage always receives value for maintenance and repair expense.

What you will do

• Develops
• Overall Vendor management strategy – determines the best overall vendor management framework for Canada Cartage
• Implements
• Applies developed strategy to existing vendor relationships and new vendors. Negotiation, onboarding/orientation, course correction, offboarding if required are all part of the VM's responsibilities
• Measures
• Develops and refines measurements to report on vendor performance
• Standard repair time adherence
• Labour rate management
• Part pricing and markup management
• Utilization of CCS supplied parts where possible
• Sustains
• Utilizing the above measurements and reporting – ensures vendors adhere to standards set out and agreed to by all vendors in the Canada cartage vendor network
• Lead vendor search activities.
• Track vendor capabilities/service offerings, costs, competitors.
• Collaborate with senior leadership and shop management on vendor assessments.
• Collaborate with Breakdown department to solicit vendor bids and define and review vendor costing for proposals.
• Performs cost analysis and implements cost control
• Forecasts fleet inventory and purchasing needs by region
• Negotiates supply contracts
• Manages the vendor product supply chain
• Evaluates vendor services
• Resolves vendor and employee complaints
• Vendor Oversight
• Promote a 'One-Team' Philosophy between Fleet, procurement, shop operations and with Study Teams, Vendor Leads and Vendors. Vendors as an integral part of Canada Cartage's overall fleet maintenance strategy
• Cost management - review agreements and change orders where required to ensure best value for services.
• Risk management - collaborate with Maintenance/Shop Managers and directors on vendor assessments and risk mitigation plans.
• Communication & collaboration – set expectations and ensure appropriate communication channels are established and operating that optimize mutual success
• Issue Management – troubleshoot vendor problems and ensure mechanisms are in place for efficient escalation and effective resolution.
• Performance management – establish vendor key performance measures and monitor vendor performance.
• Continuous Improvement – conduct regular, periodic reviews and collect, collate and communicate lessons learned to stakeholders.
• Vendor Process Management
• Develop and maintain a current vendor list.
• Document, track, measure, report and evaluate vendor performance with respect to relevant guidelines and SOPs.
• Document vendors with respect to overall spend and spend "density" determine level of risk regarding high levels of spend with any one vendor.
• Ensure ability to adapt process to remain aligned with different sponsor needs and priorities.
• Identify improvement areas in collaboration with all internal stakeholders and prepare/present/implement solutions to outsourcing issues or requirements.
• Coordinate processes and methods to improve vendor activities.

What You'll Bring

Experience

• 4-6 years related experience +substantial on-going job-related training.
• Direct vendor or project management experience in a large Canadian trucking fleet preferred.
• Knowledge of trucks and trailers and their PM and repair requirements.
• Working knowledge of provincial maintenance and repair regulations
• Experience with Ontario's Annual inspection "DriveOn" program
• Financial and contractual management of vendors experienced preferred.
• The successful candidate must exhibit the following skills: self-motivation with strong communication skills and a commitment to achieving positive results. Strong attention to detail and keenness to understand the importance of building collaborative relationships to achieve results. Ability to engage in continuous learning and self-development. Ability to continually foster teamwork.

Why people love working for Canada Cartage

• Cohesive team and a positive, hard-working atmosphere.
• Meaningful opportunities for career growth.
• Company wide recognition initiatives designed to recognize employees when they demonstrate outstanding customer service, teamwork and our core values.
• Perks - discounted hotels, car rentals, entertainment, gym memberships, phone plans, electronics, to name a few
• Fun events throughout the year, like summer barbeques and driver-appreciation week that regularly bring us together.
• We give back to the communities in which we operate by volunteering and donating to local charities.
• We are a strong company that weathers the storm through pandemics and recessionary periods, so that we can benefit from good economic environments.

We are a top employer

• Canada Cartage has been recognized on the Forbes list of Canada's Best Employers for six straight years in a row.
  • Trucking HR has announced that Canada Cartage has again been selected for the 8th year in a row, as one of Canada's Top Fleet Employers. In addition, we have been recognized as an Employer of Distinction for the 4th year in a row. This serves to reinforce Canada Cartage's reputation as an employer of high quality.
    • We've been acknowledged by Forbes 2023, as one of Canada's Best Employers for Diversity

Come work with an industry leader

Canada Cartage is committed to adhering to the objectives and requirements outlined in the Accessible Canada Act (ACA). We are determined in meeting the accessibility needs of persons with disabilities in a timely manner, through the implementation of the requirements of the ACA and its applicable regulations. If you require accommodation under the ACA at any point in your application or employment duration, please let us know.

We would like to thank all those expressing an interest in this position; however only the candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

Before you start with us, we will conduct a criminal record check, verify your education, and check your references.

Committed to employment equity, Canada Cartage Systems LP encourages applications from Aboriginal people, members of visible minority groups, and women.