Director of Vendor Relations

US Electrical Services•Cedar Heights, MD

13h•Onsite

About The Position

The Director of Vendor Relations serves as the primary strategic liaison between our company and its manufacturer/supplier partners. This role is responsible for building and maintaining strong vendor partnerships, negotiating favorable terms, managing co-op marketing programs, and ensuring product availability and pricing competitiveness across our electrical distribution business.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, or related field (or equivalent experience)
7+ years of experience in vendor management, purchasing, or sales within electrical distribution, industrial distribution, or a related field
Proven track record negotiating vendor contracts and managing supplier relationships
Strong knowledge of the electrical products industry and key manufacturer brands
Excellent negotiation, communication, and relationship-building skills
Proficiency with ERP/distribution systems (e.g., Eclipse, Prophet 21, Infor) and Excel
Willingness to travel for vendor visits, trade shows, and industry events

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary point of contact for key manufacturer and supplier relationships
Develop and maintain strategic partnerships with electrical product manufacturers (wire & cable, switchgear, lighting, controls, tools, safety equipment, etc.)
Conduct regular business reviews with top vendors to assess performance, growth opportunities, and issue resolution
Negotiate purchasing agreements, rebate structures, volume discounts, and payment terms
Monitor market pricing trends and ensure competitive cost positioning
Manage vendor scorecards tracking fill rates, lead times, quality, and pricing compliance
Oversee co-op advertising funds, market development funds (MDF), and rebate programs
Coordinate vendor participation in trade shows, product training, and customer events
Partner with sales and marketing teams to leverage vendor promotions and incentive programs
Partner with the sales team to align vendor resources and programs with key target customer needs
Coordinate joint sales calls and vendor participation in strategic account meetings for top customers and prospects
Leverage vendor relationships to secure special pricing, project quotes, or product support for key accounts
Facilitate vendor-led product training and technical support for sales teams and major customers
Assist in resolving customer-facing supply, quality, or pricing issues by engaging the appropriate vendor contacts
Identify cross-sell and new product opportunities with vendors that align with target customer growth plans
Work closely with purchasing/inventory teams to resolve supply chain disruptions
Support new vendor onboarding and product line reviews
Identify opportunities to consolidate vendor relationships or diversify supply sources to reduce risk
Develop annual vendor strategy aligned with company growth goals
Analyze vendor performance data and market trends to inform purchasing decisions
Represent the company at vendor conferences, councils, and industry associations (e.g., NAED)