Vendor Manager - Transportation

About the RoleThe Vendor Manager is responsible for the management and optimization of third-party transport and logistics vendors, ensuring cost-effective, reliable, and scalable capacity to support transportation operations.ResponsibilitiesVendor Management & Sourcing Identify, onboard, and manage transport vendors and subcontractors.Build a strong vendor network to support operational requirements.Ensure vendors meet company standards and service expectations.Commercial & Contract Management Negotiate rates, contracts, and service agreements with vendors.Ensure competitive pricing and cost efficiency.Monitor contract compliance and performance.Capacity & Planning Ensure availability of vendor capacity to meet demand fluctuations.Coordinate with operations teams to align vendor allocation.Manage peak season capacity planning.Performance Management Track vendor KPIs including service levels, cost, and reliability.Conduct performance reviews and implement improvements.Address service failures and escalate issues when needed.Collaboration & Integration Work closely with Fleet Manager and transport teams to balance owned vs outsourced capacity.Support overall transportation strategy and execution.Qualifications5–8 years of experience in vendor management within logistics/transportationRequired SkillsStrong negotiation and contract management skillsExperience managing third-party logistics providersKey OKRsVendor cost competitivenessService reliability and on-time performanceCapacity availabilityVendor performance scoresCost savings achieved through negotiations