Director of Vendor Manager

at  Griffin Greenhouse Supplies Inc

Summary: This position will have primary focus of overseeing the strategic positioning of vendors and products to support the sales strategy of the organization.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Manage key vendors in distribution business setting.
• Liaison with top management and vendor companies
• Negotiate “Seasonal” and “Volume” rebate programs.
• Work with Divisional Business Managers, Purchasing & Sales Management to ensure company’s position with vendors supports all sales functions (Secure timely supply of products, product sales, training, and market support)
• Oversees the process flow (quoting, shipping, and pricing) of products to ensure Griffin is sufficiently supplied to meet customer needs.
• Analyze market and make recommendations for shift, change, or adapt to market conditions.
• Monitor “Rebate & Sales Programs” by vendor to ensure goals are maximized.
• Evaluate vendor performance and address vendor inequities and make recommendations to add/drop vendors based on performance.
• Oversee vendor pricing strategy to ensure Griffin is competitive in the market and we remain profitable.
• Consistently monitor vendor performance and availability of product to ensure company has alternative resources if one vendor falls short of meeting needs.
• Provide internal training opportunities for Sales Representatives with vendor trainers.
• Executive Committee Member – requires participation in weekly meetings and other scheduled meetings as needed.
• Travel as needed to vendor locations and company locations for meetings.

Supervisory Responsibilities: Various Divisional Business Managers

Competency: To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

• Professionalism - Treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; Accepts responsibility for own actions; Follows through on commitments. Dresses appropriately and is well groomed as this is a position where face to face appearances are critical to success.
• Motivation – Sets and achieves challenging goals for themselves and the groups they are working with.
• Initiative - Volunteers readily; Undertakes self-development activities; Takes independent actions and calculates risks.
• Dependability - Takes responsibility for own actions; Keeps commitments; Commits to long hours of work when necessary to reach goals; Completes tasks on time or notifies appropriate person with an alternate plan.
• Negotiation – Must be able to negotiate with confidence and closing to create best program results.
• Organization – Must be extremely organized in order to accomplish all tasks timely and accurately.
• Verbal Communication – Effectively and consistently communicate with all levels of staff and management to accomplish goals. Be able to give presentations in front large and small groups as well as one on one.
• Written Communication – Able to write effectively, clearly defining expectations of others and timeline sensitivity.
• Analytical – Must be able to pull data from computer system, review, analyze and make recommendations regarding analysis to Sr. Management.
• Interpersonal Skills – As a liaison between Griffins and Vendors this person must be able to work well with different people at all levels and collaborate on many projects at the same time.

Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Education and/or Experience: Must be a self-starter requiring minimal supervision and must be able to perform, computer, and basic operational tasks within the first 90 days. A four-year college degree in business or related field is preferred or equivalent industry and management experience. Experience in High Volume Units/Dollars in the Distribution Industry.
Reasoning Ability: Must be able to maintain composure in a fast-paced environment. Must be part of the solution by keeping emotion out of decision-making process. Must be able to maintain objectivity when dealing with difficult situations. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished by Griffin and Myers staff in written, verbal, or schedule form.
Computer Skills: To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of e-mail (Outlook), search engines, and websites; must understand the concept of integrated inventory systems and relational database; must have working knowledge of Microsoft Word & Excel. TEAMs Meeting software or similar program like Zoom is required.
Certificates, Licenses, Registrations: None
Other Skills and Abilities: Proven ability to interact at all levels within the organization. Proven ability to build teams and recognize diversity. Proven ability to lead by example with particular respect to work ethic, attendance, and communication skills.
Other Qualifications: Must be willing and able to work long hours when needed. Must be able to maintain composure under fast paced, stressful, and difficult situations. Proven ability to adapt quickly and effectively to change.
Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The employee may be required to frequently walk and stand. The employee will need to be able to sit for long periods of time to complete paperwork, conduct and attend meetings, and perform computer related tasks.
Travel: This position requires ongoing travel to all Griffin sales territories as well as frequent travel to and from Griffin and Vendor locations. Expected travel 30% - 40%.
Equal Employment Opportunity: In order to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals, employment decisions at Griffin will be based on merit, qualifications, and abilities. It is the policy of Griffin not to discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, sexual orientation, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status or any other protected classification under law.
We seek the industry’s best and brightest talent to join our team. Griffin offers a collaborative work environment, competitive salary, and benefits package including 401k/profit sharing, retirement plan, paid vacation, paid holidays, and more.

• Manage key vendors in distribution business setting.
• Liaison with top management and vendor companies
• Negotiate “Seasonal” and “Volume” rebate programs.
• Work with Divisional Business Managers, Purchasing & Sales Management to ensure company’s position with vendors supports all sales functions (Secure timely supply of products, product sales, training, and market support)
• Oversees the process flow (quoting, shipping, and pricing) of products to ensure Griffin is sufficiently supplied to meet customer needs.
• Analyze market and make recommendations for shift, change, or adapt to market conditions.
• Monitor “Rebate & Sales Programs” by vendor to ensure goals are maximized.
• Evaluate vendor performance and address vendor inequities and make recommendations to add/drop vendors based on performance.
• Oversee vendor pricing strategy to ensure Griffin is competitive in the market and we remain profitable.
• Consistently monitor vendor performance and availability of product to ensure company has alternative resources if one vendor falls short of meeting needs.
• Provide internal training opportunities for Sales Representatives with vendor trainers.
• Executive Committee Member – requires participation in weekly meetings and other scheduled meetings as needed.
• Travel as needed to vendor locations and company locations for meetings