What are the responsibilities and job description for the Marketing Manager, Vendor Relations position at H.W. Kaufman Group?
The Marketing Manager, Vendor Relations owns the company’s promotional products, corporate gifting, and branded apparel function. This role is responsible for strategy and execution within this domain, including vendor management, sourcing, program development, and system optimization. Acting as a key partner to marketing and business stakeholders, this individual drives cost-effective, scalable solutions while ensuring high-quality brand representation and a seamless internal customer experience.
Responsibilities
- Own the end-to-end promotional products and corporate gifting function, including vendor strategy, product selection, and program development
- Develop and evolve sourcing strategies to support marketing programs, events, and employee engagement initiatives
- Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance program effectiveness
- Build, manage, and grow a network of vendors for promotional items, corporate gifts, and branded apparel
- Lead vendor negotiations, securing competitive pricing, service levels, and deliverables
- Evaluate vendor performance and drive continuous improvement
- As assigned, work with other areas of marketing on RFPs, vendor evaluations, and contract negotiations
- Design and execute company-wide client gifting programs 2–3 times annually
- Own the lifecycle and curation of gifting selections available through the internal platform
- Proactively develop new programs to meet evolving marketing and business needs
- Serve as the primary point of contact for marketing teams and executives for all promotional, apparel, and gifting needs
- Consult with stakeholders to recommend solutions aligned with brand, budget, and program goals
- Influence decision-making across teams to ensure consistency and efficiency
- Own and continuously improve the online marketing procurement/shopping system
- Manage integrations with external vendors for global fulfillment to offices and clients
- Enhance user experience, product availability, and operational efficiency
- Manage spend within the promotional and gifting category
- Oversee billing and chargebacks to business units
- Track budgets, analyze spend, and identify cost-saving opportunities
- Partner with fulfillment vendors to ensure timely, accurate global delivery
- Monitor order execution, inventory (if applicable), and service levels
- Resolve issues and ensure a high-quality end-user experience
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Marketing, Supply Chain, Business, or related field
- 5–8 years of experience in procurement, marketing operations, vendor management, or related field
- Strong negotiation and vendor management experience
- Experience managing budgets and procurement or e-commerce systems preferred
- Ability to operate independently and own a functional area
About Our Company
H.W. Kaufman Group is a powerful global network of companies dedicated to shaping the future of insurance. With over 2,000 dedicated professionals across an extensive network of over 60 offices around the world, we lead by offering innovative solutions that are at the forefront of the industry. We are privately and family owned and thus free from the influence of Wall Street. This allows us the ability to adapt to constantly fluctuating market conditions. From brokerage, underwriting and real estate to claims, loss control and risk management services, our depth of services is unrivaled. Equal Opportunity Employer The H.W. Kaufman Group of companies is an equal opportunity employer. All employment decisions are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications, without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, sexual orientation, genetic information or any other status or condition protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where we operate. In addition, Kaufman will make reasonable accommodations to known physical or mental limitations of an otherwise qualified person with a disability, unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on the operation of our business.
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