Sourcing and Vendor Performance Associate - Somerset, NJ - Hybrid

Sysco•Somerset, NJ

2d•$76,000 - $114,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Sourcing and Vendor Performance Associate leads and oversees sourcing RFQs and transitions from existing products to improved, fully vetted products at lower cost, working with internal and external stakeholders. The role also supports product development, sample approval, risk mitigation, supplier and SKU rationalization, the vendor compliance program, and ownership of a supplier catalog. Based on communicated strategy, the associate executes detailed plans for multiple projects, coordinating tasks, timelines, owners, and cross-functional work with procurement, distribution, marketing, and transportation. The role reviews product specifications and samples, identifies economies of scale, coordinates inventory depletion and ramp-up with procurement, supports launch plans with marketing, and drives continuous process improvement and cost management. It also reviews category products for lower-cost and rebate opportunities, prepares cost builds for new products, and ensures GMS accuracy. The associate supports RFQs for new initiatives, including project brief data collection, research with internal business partners, supplier and product vetting, specification and sample evaluation, and coordination with QA and independent third-party testing agencies. The role serves as a primary contact for day-to-day inquiries and supports vendor compliance process improvement, vendor relationship ownership, performance analysis and reporting, and chargebacks under vendor performance policies. The associate also supports the director and overseas APAC/EMEA offices on OS&E expansion, COGs reduction, RFQs, and opportunities with new manufacturers.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain or a business-related field, or equivalent work experience (5 years).
At least 2 years of experience in supply chain, product development, or project management with an associate or bachelor’s degree.
Five years of supply chain work experience with any degree may be considered equivalent.
A fresh graduate with a master’s degree in Supply Chain or Business will also be considered.
Experience with supply chain, product management, and project management.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Detail-oriented and highly organized.
Ability to work in a multicultural and highly competitive environment.
Strong problem-solving skills.
Leadership, supervision, and directional skills with peers.
Strong quantitative skills.
Experience with Microsoft Office Suite.
Ability and willingness to travel.
Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States.

Nice To Haves

Manufacturing experience.
Foreign language proficiency.
Working knowledge of any Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) software.

Responsibilities

Execute detailed project plans for multiple sourcing and product transition projects, including tasks, timelines, owners, cross-functional collaboration, and risk escalation and mitigation.
Coordinate with procurement, distribution, marketing, and transportation on sourcing and product initiatives.
Review product specifications and approve samples; identify economies of scale and coordinate inventory depletion and ramp-up and product launch plans.
Execute continuous process improvements and cost management.
Review current category products for opportunities to negotiate lower costs and improved rebates in collaboration with procurement and marketing.
Prepare cost builds for new product initiatives and present them to the senior associate before sharing them more broadly.
Ensure GMS accuracy.
Support RFQs for new initiatives, including project brief data collection, internal partner research and discovery, and supplier and product vetting.
Coordinate product specifications and sample evaluation and work with QA and independent third-party testing agencies to obtain approval for new products.
Serve as a main point of contact for day-to-day inquiries.
Support continuous improvement of the vendor compliance program.
Own specific vendor relationships and execute vendor performance analysis, reporting, and chargeback processes in accordance with vendor performance policies.
Support the director and overseas APAC/EMEA offices on OS&E expansion, COGs reduction initiatives, RFQs, and opportunities with new manufacturers.