Vendor Relations Manager

Ingram Barge Company•Nashville, TN

About The Position

Ingram Marine Group is looking for a Vendor Relations Manager in the Nashville, TN area who will lead the management processes for external service providers. This role involves developing vendors into reliable partners who consistently deliver best-in-class service and value. The position will focus on External Services vendors and internal customer relationships, business processes and strategy planning. The associate has a key role in future planning and analysis related to assets, real estate needs, and vendor requirements. This role is a great fit for someone who enjoys building strong working relationships while also digging into data and solving problems. An ideal candidate is organized, proactive, and comfortable managing multiple priorities at the same time. Communicating well with different teams and look for practical ways to improve processes and control costs is essential. This role is for someone who likes taking ownership, thinking ahead, and helping operations run smoother through strong partnerships and smart decisions.

Requirements

Previous shoreside marine, transportation, or supply chain experience a strong plus
Previous contract management experience a strong plus
Demonstrated ability to proactively and efficiently identify and solve problems
Self-starter with the ability to work both independently and in collaboration with others and the drive to deliver meaningful results
Ability to effectively communicate and interact with internal and external stakeholders at all levels of the organization
Ability to manage multiple vendors simultaneously
Effective negotiation and conflict management skills
Demonstrated analytical abilities and proficiency in Microsoft Excel
Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities and a variety of tasks simultaneously
Ability to work cross‑functionally with the Logistics/Customer Service, Sales, Legal, Operations, Custom Fuel Service, Accounts Payable and Information Services Departments
Passion for creating partnerships and exceeding stakeholder expectations
Bachelor's degree required
3 - 5 years of experience in vendor relations required

Responsibilities

Working closely interdepartmentally with Logistics/Customer Service, Sales, Legal, Operations, Custom Fuel Service, Accounts Payable, and Information Services
Analyzing market data, internal operations, sales projections, and geographic trends to effectively manage and negotiate External Services agreements
Participating in planning/budgeting for fleet lease, vessel charter and vendor services
Evaluating supplier base, lease holdings, and operational needs to ensure external provider needs are met and stable going forward
Managing vendor development, reviews, and performance
Proactively seeking feedback on vendor performance and strategic needs from internal stakeholders
Implementing and administering real estate/fleeting lease, charters and vendor programs
Leading vendor cost-saving, performance management, and improvement efforts, including:
Consulting with internal stakeholders to ensure needs are consistently met and leading resolution of any issues
Partnering with vendors to ensure consistent service excellence, competitive pricing, and ongoing performance improvement
Providing regular and ad-hoc reporting, analysis, and presentations to support data-driven vendor evaluation and strategic decision-making
Continuously monitoring and assessing market conditions, vendor pricing, and vendor performance to identify contract needs, cost-saving opportunities, and risks
Designing and overseeing exception-based invoice reviews and vendor audits, including identifying and addressing root causes of exceptions and recouping funds
Identifying and implementing process improvements and expense reduction initiatives
Implementing and administering third-party service provider agreements in designated areas, including:
Creating template-based vendor agreements in collaboration with internal stakeholders including Legal, Logistics, Operations, Finance, and Accounting
Serving as project leader and primary point of contact for vendor agreements, liaising between parties though contract development, negotiations, and execution
Creating bid packages and evaluating vendor proposals
Providing analysis and recommendations to stakeholders and senior leadership
Leading cross-functional meetings of internal stakeholders and vendors
Cultivating partnership-focused, positive relationships with internal stakeholders and vendors
Managing the contract pipeline, ensuring timely execution, thorough follow-through, and complete record-keeping
Achieving comprehensive win-win agreements that achieve company objectives, maximize IBCO’s financial and operational opportunities, and minimize risk
Tracking performance metrics and ensuring contract compliance throughout contract lifecycle
Implementing, administering, and championing technology solutions to more effectively monitor and control third-party spend, identify and resolve exceptions, and develop reporting to better understand trends, gaps, and opportunities
Providing backup for other roles as needed
On-call duties as required