Sr. Vendor Relations Manager, Pharmaceutical - Chicago, IL area

Hybrid - 3 days in-office

This is an outstanding opportunity for a National Account Manager with a Pharmacy or PharmD licensure to join the Nation's Largest Pharmaceutical, Medical Device, and Surgical products solutions manufacturer and provider to serve in a Senior Vendor Relations Manager role in the Pharmaceutical Space that works within the Physician Office, Surgery Center, and Hospital segments of the industry. This is an excellent, stable multi-billion-dollar company that is expanding. The company culture is excellent, with a customer-focused and entrepreneurial mindset in order to make quick, informed decisions in an ever-evolving competitive marketplace.

Job Summary

• Oversee and manage a portfolio of strategic branded suppliers to obtain the best financial and operational position.
• Serve as primary liaison between vendor and the company for assigned vendors.
• Develop and grow new business through collaboration with sales and marketing teams.

Job Responsibilities

• Manage strategic vendor relationships and/or vendor projects in which cross-departmental and cross-divisional activity is required. Demonstrate expertise in holistic financial decisions.
• Negotiate agreements with vendors to achieve improved financial terms and conditions, including review of direct reports' agreements for approval as necessary. Types of agreement include but are not limited to: Distribution Agreements, Operational Efficiency Agreements, and Transportation Agreements.
• Build collaborative partnerships with strategic vendors, including buy-in and support across all leadership levels internally within the company, and externally with the vendor.
• Develop, sell, and implement marketing programs designed to sell more profitable products and deliver value and savings to the company's customers and sales reps.
• Develop and deliver presentations and proposals that demonstrate the value proposition and differentiation of Medline products and services. Collaborate with the Marketing team to develop marketing insights and materials.
• Provide thought leadership and guidance to Vendor Managers on how to effectively service a portfolio.
• Demonstrate portfolio ownership by creating and defending strategies with sound judgment and analytics.
• Communicate and maintain vendor scorecards and manage vendor relationships towards achieving top-level performance.
• Primary responsibility to assigned vendors to problem-solve and mediate through challenges and opportunities that arise.
• Develop, plan, and attend business reviews with vendors, as well as represent and engage in healthcare industry events, relations councils, and trade show events.
• This is a high-level individual contributor role - management responsibilities limited to leading day-to-day activities and outcomes of a group of employees.
• May be involved in hiring staff, recommending pay increases, performing performance reviews, training and development of staff, estimating personnel needs, assigning work, meeting completion dates, interpreting, and ensuring consistent application of organizational policies.

MINIMUM CANDIDATE REQUIREMENTS

Education

• Requires a Bachelor’s degree, Pharmacist license, or Nursing degree

Work Experience

• At least 8 years of overall experience in marketing, product management, or sales.
• Distribution operations or general pharmacy and healthcare market experience.
• At least 5 years of experience in negotiating with outside vendors, including negotiating contracts, prices, resolving service issues, and/or reconciling differences.

Knowledge / Skills / Abilities

• Portfolio management experience with demonstrated skills to network with pharmacy leaders at the Executive and C-Suite level.
• Knowledgeable in preparing financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and working within profit & loss (P&L) statements.
• Familiarity with freight incoterms and logistics standard operating procedures.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools.
• Position requires travel up to 25% of the time for business purposes (within state and out of state).

The company and its subsidiaries offer a competitive total rewards package, continuing education & training, and tremendous potential with a growing worldwide organization.

Base Salary: $132,600 - $199,160 + IC Bonus of 25% paid Quarterly.

The actual salary will vary based on the applicant’s education, experience, skills, and abilities. This role is bonus and/or incentive-eligible.

Total Comp at Plan: $165,750 - $248,950

The benefit package includes health insurance, life and disability, 401(k) contributions, paid time off, etc., for employees working 30 or more hours per week on average.