Vendor Relations Specialist

About West Marine

We don’t just sell anchors and rigging. We sell a love of the water that lasts for generations.

We don’t just sell life jackets and flares. We sell peace of mind for your most precious cargo.

We don’t just have a passion for boating. We have a lifetime of experience that we can’t wait to share with you.

So when you shop at West Marine, it’s not just for boating gear – it’s for the pure pursuit of more water and less hassle.

If you have a passion for being on the water and are looking to join a world-class organization, then West Marine is the place for you! West Marine is recognized as the premier multi-channel retailer of boating and fishing supplies with more than 230 stores located throughout 37 states and Puerto Rico. When you work at West Marine, you’re part of a family; one that values spending quality time on the water, doing the things you love, and sharing that passion with our customers and community.

Position Summary:

The Specialist, Vendor Relations works closely with Accounts Payable (AP), Merchandising, General Accounting, and Inventory teams and is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of AP and Vendor Relations. This includes ensuring a timely month end close, contract review and negotiation, accurate program calculation and billings, policy enforcement, timely and accurate processing of trade and non-trade invoices, expense card program oversight, implement process improvements and standardizing processes, influencing vendor behavior, and facilitating collaboration between internal and external stakeholders. Strong analytical and communication skills are essential for this role. This role reports to the Director of Finance and Assistant Treasurer.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Manage: Manage, lead, train, and assess team responsible for the day-to-day operations of Vendor Relations and AP. Manage the month end close process to ensure work is performed accurately and timely. Ensure payment processing is completed accurately and timely as well as debit balance resolution, 1099 year end reporting, and other AP activities.
• Compliance: Monitor and review program contracts, calculations, billings, reconciliations, and conduct vendor audits. Ensure that terms and conditions adhere to company standards and are accurately reflected in the Vendor Agreement. Analyzes vendor performance, processes, and procedures to identify process improvement and standardization opportunities across AP and Vendor Relations.
• Influence Vendor Behavior: Perform as a functional bridge between vendors and internal stakeholders; including vendor negotiations and program disputes. Responsible for building and managing relationships with trade vendors to ensure they meet the contractual obligations. Document and distribute formal communication to vendor community as needed. Initiate intercompany meetings to discuss and monitor problems by vendor.
• P-Card: Provide oversight of the P-Card program including onboarding and deactivating cardholders, enforcing policies, and conducting periodic audits of purchases.
• Report: Prepares and maintains relevant reports pertaining to the Vendor Relations and AP process. Provide back-up and supporting documentation for external audit / recovery audit requirements and to support vendor disputes.

Education, Experience & Skills:

• Bachelors’ Degree preferred or 5-7 years commensurate experience required.
• 5-7 years commensurate experience required.
• Advanced experience in Microsoft Office (Excel). SQL and Access Database a plus.
• Accounts payable experience a plus.
• Proven ability to make critical and analytical business decisions.
• Experience with Inventory/Supply Chain.
• Strong negotiation and collaboration skills with vendors at all levels.
• Strong verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills with ability to build strong working relationships with individuals of varying personalities.
• Ability to identify risks and develop mitigation plans.
• Ability to identify areas of opportunities and execute process improvement plans.
• Highly organized with focus on execution, problem solving, and improving processes.
• Self-motivated capable of independently managing time and meeting deadlines.
• Ability to make non-structured decisions with limited information while adhering to both the vendor contract and company objectives.

Equal Opportunity Employer
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