What does a Vendor Manager do?
As the primary contact person, this employee is the face of your business to outside distributors. They resolve vendor services and supplies issues and keep accurate and timely records of all orders and inventory. A Vendor Manager also researches the market and requests bids from contractors. The job may involve travel since they are responsible for inspecting vendor products and ensuring their quality. Other responsibilities include signing for deliveries or services, assigning limited purchasing authority to other employees and maintaining frequent and productive communication with vendors.
Vendor Manager skills and qualifications
A successful job candidate will have excellent communication skills, including the ability to establish positive relationships with vendors, co-workers and subordinates. A Vendor Manager, or Procurement Manager, should also be experienced with:
- Using supply chain management software
- Performing cost analysis and implementing cost control
- Forecasting inventory and purchasing needs
- Negotiating supply contracts
- Managing the vendor product supply chain
- Evaluating vendor services
- Resolving vendor and employee complaints
Vendor Manager experience requirements
A Vendor Manager, or Purchasing Manager, should have experience sourcing and ordering supplies, including parts, materials and finished goods. A candidate with a background as a vending management assistant can be successful in the role as long as they’re knowledgeable about purchasing, shipping and inventory. Experience in customer service is advantageous, and a potential employee should have experience networking with other departments.
Vendor Manager education and training requirements
A high school diploma is a minimum requirement for this position, although a qualified candidate should also have some technical training. A bachelor’s degree and some experience in supply chain sourcing are preferable for those seeking Vendor Manager careers. Prospective hires with degrees in business, business science, logistics or engineering are also good prospects. An ideal candidate will possess a bachelor’s or master’s degree in supply chain management and have experience in at least an entry-level position.
Vendor Manager salary expectations
According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary for a Vendor Manager is $54,877. The exact pay will depend on each person’s education and experience, as well as the type and location of the company.
Vendor Manager salary expectations
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Common salary:
25.62 HOURLY -
Typical salaries range from
7.25 -65.00 HOURLY - Find more information on Indeed Salaries
*Indeed data –
Job description samples for similar positions
If a Vendor Manager isn’t the exact position you need to fill, you might find what you need in similar job descriptions:
FAQs about Vendor Managers
What is the difference between a Vendor Manager and a Supply Chain Manager?
A Vendor Manager focuses on sourcing and negotiating for supplies and/or services and managing inventory. A Supply Chain Manager has additional responsibilities that include managing outgoing shipments and analyzing logistics data from sourcing to order fulfillment.
Who reports to a Vendor Manager?
The Vendor Manager may wear several hats, depending on the size of the company, and in a larger organization, they may assign duties to subordinates. Employees work together as a team and report to the Vendor Manager, who has the final word on standards and practices for each department.
What are some of the subcategories of the job?
- Procurement: Researching sources and evaluating vendors and choosing partner vendors
- Onboarding: Obtaining authorizations, familiarizing vendors with processes and establishing vendor responsibilities
- Outreach: Maintaining productive and cordial relationships with vendors, encouraging two-way communication and acting as an intermediary when necessary
- Risk management: Monitoring delivery dates and fulfillment quotas, ensuring quality control and guarding proprietary information
- Financial controls: Recording and managing invoices and making vendor payments
- Service controls: Monitoring vendor services and goods to ensure that they meet the standards of contractual agreements
What are some of the most important qualities in a Vendor Manager?
- This employee regularly interacts with others inside and outside the company and must be able to communicate effectively
- A skilled Vendor Manager should have conflict management experience for when supply chain or quality control issues arise
- To negotiate on behalf of an organization, a Vendor Manager should be appropriately assertive and have seasoned negotiating skills
- Customer service and marketing experience are credentials that add to the skill set of a successful Vendor Manager
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