Associate Vendor Relations Manager

Value Proposition As a leading partner in healthcare, Medline Canada's sole purpose is Together Improving Care – this means being deeply committed to the health and well‑being of our customers, employees, partners and our communities. We employ a diverse group of top talent focused on growing and making a difference in the lives of Canadians, coast‑to‑coast. We offer a competitive and engaging employee experience program that includes collaborative work environment, market competitive compensation and benefits plan, DPSP match program, annual Employee Appreciation Week, paid vacation and personal days, Lifeworks® Employee Assistance Program (EAP) resources, career growth and training programs, open communication with senior leaders, tailored incentives for eligible employee groups, employee referral program, education support programs, fitness subsidy, recognition programs, social activities, and more. Job Summary The role of the Associate Vendor Relations Manager is to manage the business functions for the Vendor Relations team for a portfolio of National Brand suppliers to obtain the best financial and operational position. The Associate will serve as primary liaison between the vendor and Medline for those suppliers. The Vendor Relations team establishes, maintains, and enhances relationships with National Brand vendors. The core business function of the team is to ensure the company's supply chain operates efficiently by managing vendor performance, negotiating contracts, and resolving any issues that may arise. The team works closely with internal teams to align and execute vendor‑related strategies with business objectives. Core Job Responsibilities Operational lead of Vendor Relations Management team. Lead execution of team processes supporting new vendor on‑boarding, item set‑up, item maintenance (pricing updates, product discontinuation/substitutions). Collaborate and work closely with Global Support Group colleagues to ensure operational processes are executed accurately and timely. Act as a first‑level escalation point for internal teams, working with vendors to problem‑solve and mediate challenges and opportunities. Support procurement team when vendor‑related issues are escalated that impact contract terms or pose risk to business operations. Collaborate with internal teams to support resolution of supply chain disruptions. Ensure core operational tasks are completed with limited‑to‑zero error within defined SLAs. Vendor Relationship Management Proactively and professionally manage a list of assigned vendors and product categories, responding to vendor‑related questions or issues promptly. Independently manage day‑to‑day portfolio operations, including one‑on‑one discussions with vendors and internal escalation as needed. Develop and maintain strong strategic partnerships with vendors to identify, design, and implement product strategies and marketing programs that deliver value to Medline customers and sales representatives. Thrive in an inspiring and positive team environment with an open communication culture and innovation mindset. Monitor vendor performance and generate reports. Vendor Performance Monitoring and Reporting Track and analyze assigned vendors’ key performance metrics. Develop and maintain vendor scorecards including KPIs and service level agreements. Escalate to senior management and communicate corrective actions for under‑performing vendors when required. Plan and attend business reviews with vendors. Contract Negotiation and Management Negotiate agreements with vendors to achieve improved contract terms and conditions. Ensure contracts are aligned with company objectives and legal requirements. Use document management systems to monitor and track contract status and vendor contract compliance. Strategic Sourcing Stay informed about category‑relevant market trends, pricing, and supply‑chain developments. Collaborate with sales and product management teams to identify strategic growth opportunities for National Brand vendors and research supplier information to support new opportunities. Employ a continuous improvement mindset, actively identify and recommend process enhancements. Collaboration Collaborate with U.S. Medline Vendor Relations counterparts on key vendor accounts to share insights and identify opportunities for cross‑border growth. Support internal teams on National Brand vendor‑related matters and inquiries. Work closely with key internal functions to ensure seamless operations. Participate in cross‑functional projects and initiatives as required. Qualifications Education Requirement – University or Bachelor’s degree in same or related field. 2‑3 years of vendor relations / account management experience in a large‑scale business, or equivalent combination of education and experience. Previous experience in purchasing and procurement in manufacturing or distribution channels (an asset). Advanced level skill in Microsoft Office Suite – Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook, Project. Experience and comfort in daily use of SAP or comparable ERP system. Detail‑oriented with strong organizational skills. Excellent analytical and problem‑solving skills. Strong negotiation and communication skills. Strong project management skills, able to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines. Familiar with concepts, processes and terminology of Vendor Relations Management, Supply Chain Management, Product Management. Excellent oral and written communication and presentation skills with experience in vendor negotiations, resolving service issues, and managing internal and external relationships. Proactive and able to work independently. Collaborative team player with a positive attitude. Bilingual – English and French is an asset. About Medline Canada Medline Canada stands at the forefront of healthcare, providing expertise and a breadth of solutions for every care setting. With 550+ employees, including 100 dedicated sales and clinical professionals and eight distribution centres located coast‑to‑coast, Medline Canada is proud to serve the entire continuum of care. Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusivity Medline Canada is committed to diversity and inclusivity and encourages applications from members of groups that have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples, Indigenous peoples of North America, racialised persons/persons of colour and those who identify as women, persons with disabilities and LGBTQ+ persons. Our Commitment to Accessibility Medline Canada is committed to the principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). We endeavour to make our recruitment, assessment and selection processes as accessible as possible and provide accommodations as required for applicants with disabilities. If you require any accommodations at any point during the application and hiring process, please contact HRCanada@medline.com. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. Primary Location Mississauga, Ontario, Canada Other Locations Brampton, Ontario, CanadaToronto, Ontario, Canada Seniority level Entry level Employment type Full‑time Job function Sales and Business Development Industries Medical Equipment Manufacturing #J-18808-Ljbffr