Manager Vendor Support Services

Address: USA-MA-Quincy-1385 Hancock Street
Store Code: RBS Executive Administration
A great career opportunity
Ahold Delhaize USA, a division of Netherlands-based Ahold Delhaize, is the parent company for Ahold Delhaize's U.S. companies, including its local brands, Food Lion, Giant Food, The GIANT Company, Hannaford and Stop & Shop, and the U.S. services companies, Retail Business Services, Peapod Digital Labs and ADUSA Supply Chain. When considered together, the local brands of Ahold Delhaize USA comprise the largest grocery retail group on the East Coast and the fourth largest grocery retail group in the nation, operating more than 2,000 stores and distribution centers across more than 20 states and serving millions of customers each week through a uniquely local omnichannel experience. The Ahold Delhaize USA company team includes just over 100 associates across all East Coast office locations.
The Manager - Vendor Support Services will be responsible for:

• Overseeing the Vendor Support Services support team and driving the vendor support strategy and collaborating with the OCS Commercial Systems & Analytics team to optimize the strategy for managing vendor master data that powers the business objectives of ADUSA Brands and Support Organizations.
• This position will lead a team to ensure proper application and controls with area of responsibility and requires in-depth knowledge of processes, services and systems related to vendor data and managing team performance and workflow.
• Driving & monitoring the E2E P2P vendor experience via internal and external feedback loops supported by industry analysis and standards.
• Establishing & maintaining the long-term E2E P2P connectivity across ADUSA Brands & Support Organizations.
• Working closely with Vendor Management Organization (VMO) across VSRM & P2P to develop capabilities and robust VMO support elements, defining and building standardized issue resolution methodology across all vendor relationships, and supports expert E2E P2P knowledge build within and across all VMO teams.
• Partnering with vendor community (Direct & Indirect suppliers) to manage test & learn capabilities across the entire VMO.
• Collaborating with support areas such as Continuous Improvement & Training and ADUSA Communications to lead, build & execute robust change management and training programs for the entire VMO in support of E2E P2P strategies and goals.
• Collaborate with OCS Executive team to provide strategic & operational support for goals & objectives.

This leader will be responsible for VMO Operations & Insights within the VMO while developing & maintaining
positive and productive relationships with internal stakeholders and external vendor partners. They will provide support for the ADUSA "Vendor" Domain owner and collaborate with all functional areas of the ADUSA organization (retail brands and support organizations) to ensure that vendor master data and all relevant attributes are effectively captured, monitored, and optimized in support of their respective processes and requirements.
This leader will closely partner with ADUSA Business Requestors, Vendors, Finance VMD, and VMDM Strategy to streamline operations, reduce errors, proactively resolve issues, and drive overall vendor satisfaction with all aspects regarding vendor set-up and maintenance.
This leader will drive the ADUSA Vendor Portal strategy to enhance communication, collaboration, and transparency between ADUSA and its vendors. They will develop & oversee the end-to-end process for all vendor policy changes (e.g., cost, terms, ADvantage rates, swell, etc.) to ensure they are received in an efficient manner, evaluated timely & thoroughly, tracked & reported.
Drives the internal connectivity of GLBs, PDL, RBS, and Supply Chain with VMO, and the development of capabilities, tools, and future VMO support elements. Defines and builds standardized issue resolution methodology across all vendor relationships. Supports expert knowledge build within and across all VMO teams. Leverages the vendor community to manage test and learn capabilities for the VMO, positioning ADUSA as the retailer of choice. Design authority for VMO use cases and enhancements. Produces VMDM/PMDM reporting and provides insights to MDM support team and business owners. Owns the E2E P2P experience for vendors via internal and external feedback loops supported by industry analysis and standards. Our flexible/ hybrid work schedule includes 3 in-person days at one of our core locations and 2 remote days.
Essential job functions:

• A key leader in the Vendor Management Organization with the responsibility of maintaining strong collaborative relationships and influence across teams within the Brands and contacts within the Vendor Community.
• Leads, motivates, and develops staff maximizing their individual contribution, professional growth, and their ability to function effectively. Mentor, coach, and cross train team members stretching them beyond their comfort zone, to provide advancement and exposure for team members.
• Provide ongoing, objective counsel to ADUSA Brand & Support Organizations on the proper interpretation and application of Vendor Support information and toolsets.
• Engage our vendor partners to openly share insights with vendor leadership and respective ADUSA teams as part of the broader ADUSA collaboration efforts.
• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholder groups to drive end-to-end continuous improvements
• Investigate root causes of operational issues, develop corrective actions, and implement preventive measures to mitigate future occurrences.
• Engage teams across the entire Procure-to-Pay ecosystem to accelerate innovation & drive needed change to optimize vendor set-up and maintenance related activities.
• Oversee the design and maintain a comprehensive and reliable database of vendor information and ensure all necessary integrations to existing ADUSA systems housing vendor data are operating effectively for optimal procurement, financial management, and vendor relationship management
• Oversee the stakeholder communication and training activities related to the importance of accurate, timely, and complete vendor master data. Serve as the escalation point of contact for vendor set up controls, communications, and conflict resolution.
• Accelerate team development by understanding and leveraging team strengths and making the most of diverse talent.
• Build team capabilities through effective execution of team talents & strategies. Reinforce the sense of purpose within the team and actively engage in ongoing conversations to connect individual and team purpose across all Procure-to-Pay functions.
• Coordinate with internal teams to provide support and guidance on vendor data management related matters.
• Oversee the resolution of vendor master data related issues, ensuring timely and effective solutions.
• Identify and assess potential risks associated with vendor relationships & implement risk mitigation strategies and contingency plans.
• Leverages the learnings from the team, suppliers, and the industry to drive best-practice behavior with the Brands and Vendor Community.
• Establishes supplier performance KPI's, conduct analysis and create periodic reports to hold our suppliers accountable. Responsible for Executive Level communication regarding all related supplier issue/resolution monitoring.
• Establish and maintain an environment that allows the team to function in a fashion that fosters inclusion, encourages growth, and share successes and failures.
• Additional job duties may be assigned as needed to meet the needs of the business and support our Values.

Qualifications :
Knowledge:

• Knowledgeable with vendor risk assessment and mitigation.
• Knowledge of contract management and legal aspects related to vendor agreements.

Skills:

• Strategic thinker with robust negotiation, influencing, and conflict resolution skills.
• Executive level Communication skills, oral and written
• Advanced Excel, PowerPoint, and presentation skills
• Strong change management skills
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, to interact with vendors and internal stakeholders effectively.
• Strong interpersonal & relationship management skills for building, fostering, and maintaining positive and strong professional relationships with VMO team members, vendors and internal business partners.
• Excellent customer service skills to optimize ADUSA business reputation.
• Proficiency in using various software tools, including MS Office suite and vendor management platforms
• Strong oral & written communication & presentation skills with keen ability to influence others toward a common goal.

Abilities:

• Analytical mindset with a focus on data-driven decision-making
• Detail-oriented and well-organized, capable of managing multiple tasks and priorities simultaneously.
• Ability to adapt to changing business needs and work well in a team-oriented environment.
• Demonstrated success working in a fast-paced environment handling multiple priorities with aggressive deadlines.
• Requires travel - typically 10-20%

Educations:

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, Accounting, Supply Chain Management, or related field

Experience:

• 7+ years proven leadership experience in vendor management, supplier relations, procurement, or related field
• 4+ years demonstrated success leading people/team
• Strategic Planning acumen
• Our flexible/ hybrid work schedule includes 3 in-person days at one of our core locations and 2 remote days.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree
• Accounting knowledge (Accounts Payable/Receivable, etc.)
• Knowledge of retail industry
  •
• Experience in grocery retail/category management
• Familiarity with both DA and AUSA existing systems and processes

#LI-Hybrid
#LI-BB1
At Ahold Delhaize USA, we embrace and celebrate diversity. Our employees and prospective employees are treated with fairness, respect and dignity. We provide an equal opportunity workplace committed to hiring, training, compensating, and promoting persons based on their talents and abilities and without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, family status, veteran status, disability status, or any other applicable characteristics protected by law.
Job Requisition: 386234_external_USA-MA-Quincy_792024