Senior Manager, Vendor Management

Responsibilities
Lead the transport vendor management function across assigned operations, customers, and projects.
Develop and execute vendor strategy covering sourcing, onboarding, allocation, capacity commitment, performance, cost, compliance, and relationship management.
Build and maintain a structured vendor portfolio, including strategic, core, and backup vendors to ensure service continuity and capacity resilience.
Manage transport rate governance, commercial conditions, additional cost controls, and vendor cost competitiveness.
Work closely with Transport Operations to ensure effective vendor allocation, capacity planning, peak readiness, and service delivery.
Lead vendor performance reviews and corrective action plans for underperforming suppliers.
Drive cost optimization through rate benchmarking, vendor consolidation, productivity improvement, route and volume allocation, and commercial negotiation.
Ensure vendors comply with contractual, legal, safety, insurance, vehicle, driver, and DHL compliance requirements.
Maintain complete and accurate vendor master data, contracts, rate cards, compliance documents, and performance records.
Partner with Procurement, Operations, Finance, Commercial, Safety, Legal, and regional stakeholders on vendor-related initiatives.
Support new customer implementations and business growth by ensuring appropriate vendor capacity, capability, and commercial readiness.
Lead, coach, and develop the Vendor Management team and strengthen governance, accountability, and execution discipline.
Requirements
Bachelor's degree in Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Transportation, or a related field.
Minimum 7 years of relevant experience in transport, logistics, procurement, supplier management, or vendor management.
Proven experience managing transport subcontractors and third-party logistics providers.
Strong knowledge of transport operations, capacity planning, rate structures, commercial terms, and cost management.
Experience in vendor sourcing, negotiation, contracting, performance management, and supplier development.
Good understanding of transport compliance, safety, documentation, insurance, and regulatory requirements.
Experience managing budgets, cost-saving initiatives, and vendor-related financial performance.
Proven leadership experience managing teams and cross-functional stakeholders.
Experience in contract logistics, domestic transport, or cross-border transport is preferred.