Senior Vendor Manager (APAC)

iHerb, LLC • Foxborough, MA

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

The Senior Vendor Manager - APAC is responsible for leading the evaluation, curation, and expansion of the product assortment for the APAC region. This includes identifying high-potential brands, developing vendor partnerships, securing competitive commercial terms, and using data-driven insights to drive category and revenue growth. The role requires strong commercial judgement and the ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution. Based in Korea, the Regional Senior Buyer sources and manages brands that meet customer needs, comply with regional requirements, and align with market trends within APAC, with a primary sourcing focus on Korea and potentially Japan. This job is based in Korea, Seoul with a hybrid work mode.

Requirements

• Strong and proven negotiation skills, with the ability to secure competitive commercial terms
• Advanced analytical, data-interpretation, and decision-making abilities
• Strong understanding of retail pricing structures, margin dynamics, and key category commercial drivers
• Deep familiarity with the Korean consumer goods and vendor landscape; knowledge of the Japanese market is a plus
• Fluency in Korean and English, both written and verbal; Japanese language proficiency is a plus
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence internal and external stakeholders at all levels
• Strong attention to detail, with solid organizational and project management capabilities
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, solve problems, and make sound judgments in a fast-paced environment
• Strong cross-functional collaboration skills, particularly with Merchandising, Planning, Compliance, Regulatory, and Marketing
• Experience with Google Workspace, including Gmail, Drive, Docs, Sheets, and Forms is preferred
• Experience with EDI, WMS, SAP, Asana, or Tableau is a plus
• 10+ Years of progressive experience in buying, category management, merchandising, or a directly related commercial role, ideally within an international or regional e-commerce environment, with direct experience sourcing from Korean manufacturers or brands. Experience sourcing from Japanese manufactures or brands is a plus.
• Bachelor’s degree in a related field preferred, or a combination of education and equivalent work experience.

Nice To Haves

• Knowledge of the Japanese market
• Japanese language proficiency
• Experience with EDI, WMS, SAP, Asana, or Tableau
• Experience sourcing from Japanese manufactures or brands

Responsibilities

• Work closely with the Senior Director, Merchandising and collaborate with global Merchandising teams as needed, to align on business strategies, priorities, and category direction
• Partner with in-market leadership, to build and maintain an assortment relevant to the APAC market
• Own and monitor key category metrics (KPIs) for new and existing brands, including pricing ,costs, gross margin, markups, product mix, promotions, and the full product lifecycle, while driving continuous improvement
• Understand and navigate APAC-specific compliance, regulatory, and supply-chain requirements, with a primary focus on Korea, and potentially Japan, to ensure proper and compliant buying practices
• Partner with Compliance and Regulatory teams to manage catalog additions, documentation, and approvals for the region
• Procure products directly from manufacturers or authorized distributors, with a primary sourcing focus on Korea and potentially Japan, following company policies and regional sourcing standards
• Identify and develop high-potential Korean and Japanese brands with strong regional and global growth potential
• Negotiate competitive commercial terms, including everyday pricing, marketing budgets, rebates, accruals, delivery schedules, and volume agreements
• Build and maintain strong vendor relationships, manage vendor contracts and product evaluations, and resolve issues in collaboration with cross-functional partners
• Drive new product and brand onboarding to ensure timely and accurate integration into the APAC assortment
• Partner with Inventory Management and Planning to align on forecasts, inventory turns, vendor performance, and order cycles
• Collaborate with Marketing to develop profitable and effective promotional co-op activities
• Use category reports and analytics to identify opportunities, guide decision-making, and support long-term business growth
• Adhere to company policies regarding safety, business ethics, and standards of conduct
• Support and develop Assistant Buyers, providing guidance and tools for success

Benefits

• Programs designed to help our employees and their families stay healthy, live well, and plan for their financial future.
• Options and upgrades with flexibility, protection, and security in mind.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior