Harbor Freight Tools hiring International Vendor Manager -Remote in United States | LinkedIn (2024)

The International Vendor Manager is responsible for managing a category of our vendor base in the Vendor Management team in the Global Sourcing Department, strategically negotiating costs, ensuring product quality, and driving on-time delivery. A strong aptitude for sourcing, analytics, creative problem solving, and the ability to drive projects to completion is essential. This role requires dynamic involvement with multiple groups throughout our business, providing a chance to make a significant impact and offering opportunities for substantial career growth.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Manage daily business interactions with overseas vendors in China, Vietnam, India, and other countries.
• Ensure all production schedules are met, and finished goods are delivered on time to the port.
• Negotiate product costing for expenditures in the hundreds of millions.
• Analyze information related to shipments, production capacity, purchasing plans, cost negotiations, tariffs, and duties to deliver reports on demand.
• Travel overseas as needed to achieve excellent results.
• Collaborate closely with merchandising, quality, and inventory teams daily to serve enterprise objectives and understand the total impact of any actions.
• Drive projects and achieve results by working within and around current systems to meet assigned goals.
• Understand the business to help drive process improvements within the department.
• Build and maintain strong relationships at all levels within the organization, ensuring strong ownership of supplier accounts and projects.
• Comprehend the business objectives and formulate supplier management strategies to accomplish those goals.
• Negotiate with suppliers to obtain the most favorable price, schedule, terms, and conditions; follow up on orders to expedite delivery and shipment as required.
• Engage in cross-functional team collaboration.
• Additional duties as assigned by the manager.

Scope:

• Supervisory Responsibility – No
• Organizational Scope – Works with various departments and outside parties
• Responsible for Maintaining Confidential Information – Yes
• Decision Making – Creates policy and resolves problems
• Travel – Yes
• Equipment Used – Computer, printer, copier, fax

Job Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in International Business or equivalent experience required; MBA is a plus.
• 5+ years of experience traveling and negotiating in China and/or other low-cost countries.
• Substantial business acumen and experience negotiating multi-turn resolutions and hitting firm deadlines.
• Experience managing and directing overseas employees and/or “in-country” management is a plus.
• Hands-on experience with sourcing, contract manufacturing, and logistics coordination in an FMCG environment.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, and SQL and database understanding is a plus.

Skills and Attributes:

• Strong interpersonal skills with excellent planning and proven analytic problem-solving talent.
• Leadership and effective communication skills.
• Management skills with drive, initiative, and a “never settle” attitude.
• Experience with complex negotiations, problem-solving, strategic planning, and financial analysis.
• Self-management skills, including time management, organization, and self-motivation.
• Problem-solving skills, including the ability to manage challenging situations at work productively and positively, along with decision-making and research skills.

The anticipated salary range for this position is $108,100 – $162,000 depending on location, knowledge, skills, education and experience. This position is also eligible for an annual discretionary bonus. In addition, we offer comprehensive and competitive benefits to Associates (and their families) such as medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term and long-term disability. Eligible Associates are able to enroll in our company’s 401k plan. Associates will accrue paid time off up to 236 hours per year (inclusive of PTO, floating holidays, and paid holidays). Paid sick time up to 80 hours per year unless otherwise required by law.