Manager, Vendor Relations

We are seeking a strategic and commercially minded Vendor Relations Manager to build strong supplier partnerships and drive revenue and margin growth across a large retail network. In this role, you will oversee relationships with more than 50 suppliers, translating merchandising and category strategies into effective commercial agreements and collaborative business plans. You will use data-driven insights to evaluate supplier performance, identify growth opportunities, and improve retail execution across in-store and digital channels. Working closely with merchandising, category management, finance, analytics, supply chain, marketing, and retail operations teams, you will help create scalable processes that strengthen vendor collaboration. This position offers the opportunity to influence commercial strategy, optimize supplier performance, and deliver measurable business results in a fast-paced retail environment. Hybrid work from Toronto or Edmonton is preferred, with remote consideration for exceptional candidates based in Ontario, Alberta, or British Columbia.

• Manage the full relationship lifecycle for a portfolio of 50+ suppliers, including onboarding, business reviews, commercial negotiations, billing, collections, and issue resolution.

• Identify and onboard new suppliers to address assortment gaps, respond to evolving customer needs, and strengthen the overall retail offering.

• Negotiate and manage commercial agreements, including master supply agreements and data program agreements, ensuring alignment with business objectives.

• Analyze retail, category, and supplier performance data to develop actionable insights, prepare business reviews, and deliver vendor-facing reporting tools and dashboards.

• Oversee data program billing, including invoice preparation, payment follow-up, and the investigation and resolution of discrepancies.

• Collaborate with strategic suppliers to develop and refine joint business plans through regular performance reviews, monthly touchpoints, and senior-level business discussions.

• Design and continuously improve vendor engagement processes, governance frameworks, planning cycles, and performance review routines to establish a consistent and scalable partnership model.

• Develop reporting frameworks, scorecards, and performance metrics to evaluate supplier results, identify commercial opportunities, and support informed decision-making.

• Coordinate centralized merchandising processes and initiatives, integrating category plans into cohesive execution across retail locations and digital channels.

• Represent the merchandising function in cross-functional initiatives, helping ensure the successful delivery of in-store promotions, digital merchandising activities, and commercial programs.

• Partner with Category Management, Merchandising Operations, Retail Planning and Analytics, Supply Chain, Store Support, Store Operations, Marketing, Loyalty, Business Technology, and Finance to drive alignment and execution.

• 5–8 years of experience in retail merchandising, category management, trade marketing, commercial management, or a related field.

• Experience working in a fast-paced retail or consumer goods environment; experience in the cannabis industry is an advantage.

• Proven ability to manage external partnerships, negotiate commercial agreements, and influence senior stakeholders.

• Demonstrated experience developing, implementing, and improving scalable merchandising processes and vendor governance frameworks.

• Advanced Excel proficiency, including experience analyzing large datasets, conducting financial analysis, and preparing performance reports.

• Strong analytical capabilities, with the ability to turn complex and fragmented data into clear insights, recommendations, and business actions.

• Experience with Power BI or similar business intelligence and reporting tools is an asset.

• Strong financial acumen and a solid understanding of retail performance indicators, commercial metrics, revenue drivers, and margin optimization.

• Excellent communication, negotiation, and relationship management skills, with the ability to build trust and align stakeholders around shared objectives.

• Exceptional attention to detail, strong organizational skills, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic business environment.

• Ability to collaborate across diverse functions and balance strategic planning with hands-on operational execution.