Job Title: Vendor Relations Manager

Company: Security Equipment Supply, Inc. (SES)

Location: Earth City, MO

Job Type: Full-Time | Exempt | Hybrid Work Model

Position Overview

We're looking for a strategic, relationship driven professional to lead our vendor management program. In this role, you will build and maintain strong vendor partnerships, develop sourcing strategies, and ensure our suppliers consistently meet expectations for quality, cost, and delivery. You'll also collaborate cross functionally as a key member of our S&OP team to align vendor capabilities with business goals.

What You'll Do

Vendor Management

• Serve as the primary point of contact for all vendor relationships.
• Identify, evaluate, and onboard vendors aligned with company strategy and service expectations.
• Conduct due diligence on financial stability, operational capability, compliance, and supply continuity.
• Maintain a structured vendor approval and onboarding process.
• Identify under performing or redundant suppliers and recommend consolidation.

Contract Management & Commercial Alignment

• Support negotiation of pricing, terms, service levels, and agreements.
• Manage the full contract lifecycle, including renewals and amendments.
• Ensure vendor compliance with contractual, legal, and financial requirements.
• Partner with leadership on cost changes, risk exposure, and commercial strategy.

Cost Management & Value Optimization

• Lead cost-saving initiatives such as price improvements, rebates, and contract optimization.
• Analyze vendors pend to identify cost-reduction opportunities.
• Support negotiations related to cost increases and mitigation strategies.
• Ensure vendor programs support margin objectives.

Data Analysis & Reporting

• Analyze vendor performance, spend, and service metrics.
• Define and track KPIs for vendor health, risk, and improvement initiatives.
• Ensure documentation accuracy and audit readiness.

Risk Mitigation & Quality Resolution

• Identify and mitigate supply chain risks and disruptions.
• Address and resolve vendor quality issues with corrective actions.
• Develop contingency plans to ensure supply continuity.

Vendor Promotions & Rebate Management

• Support vendor promotions aligned with sales and marketing strategies.
• Manage rebate programs, ensuring accurate tracking, reporting, and collection.

S&OP Collaboration

• Participate as a key member of the Sales & Operations Planning team.
• Align supply chain plans with broader business goals.

What We're Looking For

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or related field.
• Master's degree preferred.
• 5-7 years in procurement, sourcing, or vendor management.
• Background in distribution, manufacturing, or retail environments with large vendor portfolios.
• CPSM, CPP, or similar credentials preferred.
• Strong negotiation and relationship-building abilities.
• Proficiency with ERP systems and analytics tools (Power BI or similar).
• Excellent analytical and decision making skills.
• Knowledge of sourcing best practices and supply chain optimization.

Why Join SES?

• Profit sharing & retirement: SEP IRA contributions and annual profit-sharing bonuses
• Health benefits: affordable medical, dental, and vision plans
• Career growth: ongoing development, advancement opportunities, and a promote- from-within culture

Work Environment and Physical Demands

This job operates in a professional office environment. This role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, and standard software suite(s), such as the ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) system, and the Microsoft Suite of products.

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand, walk or sit; use of hands and fingers, handle or feel objects, tools or controls; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk or hear; taste or smell. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move objects up to twenty-five pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Ready to Take the Lead?

As part of our hiring process, we invite you to complete a brief personality survey to help us understand how you work best.

Be part of a growing company where your work matters, your growth is supported, and your success is celebrated.