Vendor Quality Specialist

The Vendor Quality Specialist is responsible for monitoring, evaluating, and improving the performance, compliance, and overall quality of third-party vendors supporting the company’s transportation and logistics operations. They serve as a liaison between internal stakeholders and external service providers to ensure vendors meet established service, quality, safety, and operational standards. They analyze performance metrics, investigate service issues, conduct audits, identify continuous improvement opportunities, and drive vendor accountability. They work cross-functionally with Operations, Procurement, Customer Service, Safety, Finance, and other business partners to support vendor performance objectives and customer expectations.

Responsibilities

• Monitor vendor performance against established Service Level Agreements (SLAs), quality standards, and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
• Conduct vendor audits and performance reviews to ensure compliance with company policies, customer requirements, contractual obligations, and regulatory standards.
• Investigate vendor-related service failures, shipment issues, claims, and customer complaints to determine root causes and implement corrective actions.
• Collaborate with vendors and internal departments to resolve operational issues and improve service quality.
• Track, analyze, and report vendor performance metrics, identifying trends and recommending process improvements.
• Develop and maintain vendor scorecards, performance dashboards, and supporting documentation.
• Maintain accurate vendor records, scorecards, and performance documentation.
• Assist in onboarding new vendors by verifying documentation, certifications, insurance requirements, and compliance standards.
• Monitor vendor compliance with safety, security, operational, and customer-specific requirements.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives by identifying opportunities to enhance vendor performance, reduce service failures, and improve operational efficiency.
• Work closely with Operations, Procurement, Customer Service, Safety, and Finance to ensure vendor expectations are communicated, understood, and achieved.
• Prepare reports and presentations for leadership regarding vendor quality, performance trends, corrective action plans, and risk areas.
• Participate in vendor meetings, business reviews, and performance discussions.
• Ensure timely follow-up on corrective action plans, audit findings, and vendor commitments.
• Identify recurring operational issues and partner with vendors to implement preventive measures and long-term solutions.
• Maintain confidentiality of vendor information and company data.
• All other duties as assigned to meet evolving business needs.

Qualifications

• Education: High School Diploma or GED Equivalent Required; Undergraduate degree in a related field from an accredited college or university preferred.
• Certification/Licensure: Professional certifications such as Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP), Certified Professional in Supplier Diversity (CPSD), Lean Six Sigma, or related certifications are preferred but not required.
• Experience: 2 years of experience in logistics, transportation, supply chain, vendor management, quality assurance, operations, or a related field.
• Knowledge of transportation operations, freight management, carrier/vendor performance management, and service quality measurement preferred.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to evaluate data, identify trends, and implement corrective actions.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to present performance results and recommendations to various stakeholder groups.
• Ability to build collaborative relationships with internal teams and external business partners.
• Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to prioritize multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Experience working with Transportation Management Systems (TMS), ERP systems, vendor management platforms, reporting tools, or related business applications preferred.
• Knowledge of root cause analysis, corrective action planning, continuous improvement methodologies, and performance management principles preferred.
• Demonstrated discretion and confidentiality in handling and protecting sensitive information.
• Technical: Proficient with common office technologies, including Windows PCs, Microsoft O365 (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.) and web conferencing (Teams, Zoom, Webex, etc.).
• Environment: Comfort commuting to/from and working in a 100% on-site setting (listed in this posting), with occasional travel for related vendor and company site visits, and meetings/events.