Vendor Sourcing Specialist

Summary:

The ideal candidate is a confident, results-driven professional with strong communication and negotiation skills, capable of building and maintaining productive vendor relationships in a fast-paced, service-oriented environment. This individual will play a key role in expanding our vendor network and supporting the company's ability to deliver consistent, high-quality property services nationwide.

Core Attributes:

• Self-Starter: Demonstrates initiative and the ability to work independently without heavy scripting or step-by-step direction. Comfortable navigating ambiguity and identifying solutions proactively.
• Agile Communicator: Highly fluent in spoken and written English, with a natural, professional communication style. Able to establish rapport and credibility quickly through both phone and email.
• Relationship Builder: Skilled in developing trust-based partnerships with vendors through consistent outreach, follow-up, and transparent communication.
• Negotiator: Comfortable discussing pricing, terms, and scope of services with vendors. Capable of balancing company objectives with vendor relationship needs to achieve mutually beneficial agreements.
• Detail-Oriented: Organized and precise in managing vendor records, tracking data, and ensuring compliance requirements are met.
• Analytical Thinker: Able to analyze vendor performance, service coverage, and pricing data to identify gaps or optimization opportunities.
• Accountable: Takes ownership for outcomes, follows through on commitments, and approaches escalations or challenges with urgency and professionalism.
• Collaborative: Works effectively with internal partners, sharing insights and feedback that improve sourcing strategy and operational performance.

Technical & Functional Skills:

• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel for tracking and analyzing pricing and vendor coverage.
• Ability to learn internal tools, systems, and processes quickly and apply them accurately.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills; able to handle outbound vendor calls as a primary contact method.
• Competence in organizing multiple sourcing priorities, managing outreach lists, and following up on outstanding actions or documents.

Work Environment Expectations:

• Works standard U.S. business hours, with flexibility to adjust based on supported region or seasonal demand. During the operational snow season, the schedule may shift to cover weekend days based on business need.
• Operates as an individual contributor within a broader sourcing team, aligning daily priorities to department goals.
• Maintains a professional, customer-service–oriented demeanor during all vendor and internal interactions.

Key Responsibilities:

• Interview, identify, and qualify new vendors in assigned market and service lines; establish and grow relationships with vendors through direct communication to achieve seamless, high-quality service and advantageous pricing.
• Negotiate pricing and service terms with vendors for contracted services while maintaining margin requirements.
• Communicate with vendors on insurance and other compliance requirements; ensure the vendor meets the minimum requirements to work for the Company.
• Ensure proper and timely onboarding of new client accounts; initiate the recurrence of existing seasonal accounts.
• Analyze opportunities and risks with vendors and the vendor onboarding team; recommend a resolution to leadership.
• Analyze location alignment and capacity opportunities; recommend improvements to leadership.
• Understand the varying scopes of work of our clients and convey those requirements to vendors.
• Establish and grow relationships with vendors.
• Take ownership of complex issues escalated by the client independently and with a sense of urgency; maintain responsibility for ultimate resolution and escalate the most consequential issues to department leadership with actionable recommendations for solutions.
• Work with the operations team to identify and terminate underperforming vendors.
• Foster a positive team environment.
• Ensure confidentiality and accuracy of internal and external data.
• Perform ad-hoc projects and other duties as assigned.
• Must be available to adjust work schedule during high peak periods when necessary.