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.

Compensation is only one part of the Employee Value Proposition that Medline Canada offers our employees. As part of our mission, we offer one of the most competitive and engaging employee experience programs in Canada, which includes:

• Collaborative work environment with highly engaged employees
• Market competitive compensation and benefits plan, including LTD & Insurance
• DPSP match program
• Annual Employee Appreciation Week
• Paid vacation and personal days
• Lifeworks Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Resources supporting mental, physical, family and financial well-being
• Career growth and training programs
• Open communication with Senior Leaders
• Tailored incentives for eligible employee groups, such as home office reimbursement and Sylvan Learning Centre credit
• Employee referral program
• Education support programs
• Fitness subsidy
• Recognition programs
• Social activities
• And much more…

JOB SUMMARY:

The
Vendor Relations Manager
oversees strategic National Brand supplier relationships, serving as the primary liaison between vendors and Medline Canada. This role drives financial and operational objectives for the Distributed Products channel, manages vendor performance, negotiates contracts, and resolves escalated issues. Collaboration between external and internal stakeholders at a senior management or executive level is essential to align vendor strategies with organizational, department, and portfolio goals.

Position Type:
Full-time

Territory:
Mississauga, ON (Hybrid)

Reporting to:
Director, Vendor Relations & Commercialization

Job Level:
Individual Contributor, No Direct Reports

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a strategic vendor portfolio, achieving financial and operational targets through data-driven strategies.
• Maintain strong vendor relationships, addressing inquiries and resolving escalations professionally.
• Lead contract negotiations to secure favorable terms and ensure compliance with company policies.
• Monitor vendor performance, develop scorecards, and report on key metrics.
• Ensure vendor account day-to-day operations elements are executed in a timely manner.
• Identify opportunities and lead collaboration between strategic vendors and Medline Canada to implement sales, marketing and partnership programs.
• Represent Vendor Relations Team in cross-functional projects and foster a culture of innovation and continuous improvement.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Strategic Vendor Relationship Management and Portfolio Ownership:

2. Demonstrate leadership in managing assigned vendor portfolio - meeting financial and operational goals - by defining data-driven strategies and executing tactics with sound judgement.

3. Cultivate strong vendor relationships to identify, design, and implement product strategies and marketing programs designed to deliver value to Medline customers and sales reps.
4. Build strong and trusted business partnerships by professionally addressing vendor-related inquiries or escalations for efficient/effective resolution.
5. Become knowledgeable with the products, pipeline, and go-to-market strategies of the vendor portfolio, able to position Medline Canada in strategic vendor partnerships that benefit our customers.

6. Thrive in an inspiring and positive team environment with an open communication culture and innovation-mindset.

7. Oversee Portfolio Vendor Account Operations Execution

8. Able to independently make operational decisions, including product assortment strategies, and oversee the operational tactics execution for day-to-day aspects of vendor account management, appropriately managing upwards with senior leadership teams.

9. Act as the escalation contact for assigned vendor portfolio for internal teams, working with the vendor and stakeholders to problem solve and mediate through challenges and opportunities they arise.
10. Manage vendor relationships and/or vendor projects in which cross-departmental and cross-divisional activity is required.

11. Demonstrate leadership within the Vendor Relations team by identifying and/or leading projects relating to operational efficiencies (e.g. process refinement, new tools adoption).

12. Contract Negotiation and Management

13. Negotiate agreements with vendors to achieve improved financial terms and conditions.

14. Work collaboratively with internal teams to ensure contracts are aligned with company objectives and legal requirements and are in line with category expectations.

15. Utilize document management systems to monitor and track contract status and ensure vendor contract compliance with agreement terms and company policies.

16. Vendor Performance Monitoring and Reporting

17. Plan and attend business reviews with vendors.

18. Develop and refine vendor scorecards, inclusive of Sales and Marketing program details, and operational Key Performance Indicators (KPI) to drive commercial relationships.
19. Escalate to senior management and communicate corrective actions for underperforming vendors when required.

20. Demonstrate thought leadership within Vendor Relations team to enhance existing reporting or develop new tools or reports to measure and track vendor performance.

21. Strategic Sourcing and Sales Program Management:

22. Stay informed about vendor and category-relevant market trends, pricing, and supply chain developments by working closely with the Medline Industries VRM team, Medline Canada Product Management, and Inventory Management teams.

23. In line with identified strategic categories or products, work independently with Sales teams to develop and implement marketing product programs designed to sell more profitable products and deliver value and savings to Medline customers and sales reps.

24. Employ an entrepreneurial and continuous improvement mindset, actively identify and recommend new product opportunities or process enhancements to optimize strategic sourcing and Medline's position in the market.

25. Collaboration and Relationship Management Expertise:

26. Primary responsibility to assigned vendors to problem-solve and mediate through challenges and opportunities they arise.

27. Build collaborative partnerships with strategic vendors to gain buy-in and support across all leadership levels internally within Medline, and externally with the vendor.
28. Connect on a regular cadence and collaborate with Medline Industries VRM counterparts on key vendor accounts to share insights and identify opportunities for Canadian or cross-border growth.
29. Work closely with key internal functions and resources to ensure seamless vendor account operations.
30. Represent the Vendor Relations Team in a leadership capacity in cross-functional projects and initiatives as required.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• University or Bachelor's degree and minimum 7 years overall experience in vendor relations, product management, or sales – managing relationships at the key account, management, or executive level; or equivalent combination of education and experience; previous experience in distribution operations, an asset
• Intermediate+ level in Microsoft Office Suite and SAP or similar ERP system.
• Strong written and verbal communications and negotiations skills.
• Able to build trust and collaborate effectively across internal and external stakeholders.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, able to use data to define and refine strategies.
• Excellent project management skills, detail-oriented and adept at managing multiple priorities and meeting deadlines.
• Familiar with concepts, processes and terminology of Vendor Relations Management, Supply Chain Management, Product Management, Business Development.
• Proactive and able to work independently.
• Collaborative team player with a positive attitude.
• Bilingual – English and French is an asset.

This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. Employee may perform other related duties as required to meet the ongoing needs of the organization.

Medline Canada, Corporation is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusivity

Medline Canada is committed to diversity and inclusivity and we encourage applications from members of groups that have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples, Indigenous peoples of North America, racialized 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 accessibility in Canada. We endeavor 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