Vendor Management Specialist

ButcherBox • Boston, MA

1d • $70,000 - $95,000

About The Position

ButcherBox operates in an asset-light model, partnering with a diverse network of external suppliers and service providers. The Vendor Management Specialist plays a critical role in ensuring these partnerships are strong, accountable, and aligned with our standards and values. This role is primarily internally facing, ensuring the success of our vendor onboarding and management system, and will assist in some external negotiations.

This role is ideal for a highly organized, relationship-driven project leader who thrives at the center of complex cross-functional work. You’ll partner closely with procurement, quality, legal, finance, operations, and impact teams to coordinate how we onboard, manage, and continuously improve our vendor ecosystem.

You won’t be expected to have all the answers on day one — but you will be expected to bring structure, clarity, follow-through, and strong stakeholder alignment. This role reports to the Senior Director of Impact & Strategic Initiatives and works closely with Legal and Finance leadership.

Requirements

• 3+ years of experience in vendor management, operations, procurement, supply chain, or similar cross-functional environments
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex workstreams with multiple stakeholders
• Strong project management skills — you bring clarity, organization, and follow-through
• A natural relationship builder who can influence without direct authority
• Comfortable navigating ambiguity and balancing competing priorities
• Strong written and verbal communicator
• Curious, systems-oriented, and motivated to continuously improve how things work
• Personally aligned with high standards of integrity and accountability

Nice To Haves

• Experience in food, agriculture, or complex supply chains
• Experience working in or with certified B Corporations
• Commercially minded with strong judgment and pragmatism
• Comfortable navigating tension between cost, speed, and standards
• Experience leveraging AI to improve processes, systems, etc.

Responsibilities

• Own & Operate the Vendor Management Process
• Serve as the day-to-day owner of the company’s vendor management lifecycle — onboarding, classification, performance tracking, renewal, and offboarding
• Partner with internal stakeholders (marketing, IT, legal, finance, operations) to define vendor requirements and evaluation criteria
• Lead the quote collection process (RFQs/RFPs where applicable), ensuring timely and comparable submissions
• Partner with internal business owners to ensure vendors meet commercial, quality, social, and environmental expectations
• Own lower-dollar negotiations (renewals, scope adjustments, pricing discussions, remediation timelines)
• Support senior leaders in larger or more complex negotiations by preparing materials, tracking commitments, and documenting outcomes
• Maintain vendor standards, onboarding processes, and performance frameworks
• Drive clarity and follow-through on corrective action plans
• Strengthen Vendor Relationships & Alignment
• Support commercial and non-commercial vendor discussions related to standards, expectations, and performance
• Prepare leaders for negotiations by organizing trade-offs across cost, risk, performance, and values
• Ensure contractual terms align with operational realities
• Build strong, trust-based relationships with both internal stakeholders and external partners
• Manage Risk & Drive Accountability
• Identify and escalate vendor-related risks in partnership with cross-functional teams
• Coordinate response plans when performance gaps or compliance issues arise
• Facilitate structured decision-making when escalation or vendor transitions are needed
• Support B Corp & Standards Alignment
• Help ensure vendor practices align with B Corp standards and other certifications
• Support tracking of vendor commitments tied to social, environmental, and ethical standards
• Translate evolving standards into clear vendor requirements and internal workflows
• Reporting & Continuous Improvement
• Prepare clear, executive-ready summaries on vendor performance, risk exposure, and improvement initiatives
• Identify opportunities to improve vendor management tools, workflows, and reporting
• Help mature the process as the company grows
• Leverage technology (including AI tools) to improve efficiency and visibility

Benefits

• Health: medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, an employer-funded HSA, and short & long-term disability benefits
• Financial: 401(k) with generous employer match
• Annual bonus based on company performance
• Time off: unlimited paid time off policy, 20 weeks parental leave, an executive team that encourages a good work/life balance
• Personal growth: Annual Learning & Development stipend, and access to a range of personal and professional coaching solutions through BetterUp
• Food: a free Custom Classic ButcherBox each month and weekly lunch reimbursement
• Others: reimbursement for wellness activities, an exceptional EAP, fertility benefits, life insurance and more

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed