Manager Vendor Programs

Be part of a growing, successful company in an exciting and challenging field. Border States is 100% employee-owned, which means you're empowered to make decisions, find solutions and receive rewards for your hard work. This position will be located in:

Fargo, ND Application Deadline:

Posted Until Filled Please note that the position may be filled before or after the listed application deadline. Applications will only be accepted while the posting remains active.

Job Summary Provides focused core category leadership and direction, manages and executes effective category strategies, secures strategic vendor alignment to increase sales and grow profits. Works with all Category Directors to track, maintain, and provide guidance on opportunities to maximize all vendor programs. Negotiates terms and programs with vendors and reps. Identifies strategy development and ownership of major category trends and initiatives. Develops, communicates, and maintains strategic vendor alignment strategies and platforms. Develops category plans, vendor performance plans, share of wallet analysis, and supports business development with target categories. Responsibilities Essential Functions Develops assigned category strategy plan. Ensures growth and profitability of category sales. Create and maintain vendor programs within vendor program tracking software Develops vendor program reporting Communicates opportunities for program enhancements and growth to both Category Team, as well as Regional Leadership. Communicates opportunities to maximize Reward programs to appropriate business units. Ensures category health by understanding and monitoring profitability, reducing risk and streamlining alignments. Develops vendor evaluations and approvals. Develops vendor alignment grids for assigned categories to ensure profitability. Develops vendor segmentation strategy. Regularly meets with key vendors and jointly prepares strategies for the company on key assigned product lines in collaboration with all departments. Negotiates and ensures renewal and collects vendor rebate payments for assigned vendors. Negotiates terms and conditions for assigned vendor agreements. Develops cost methodology for assigned vendors. Develops category and subcategory plans for category reviews. Addresses escalated issues related to price level, mis-delivery, branch authorization and partner collaboration as it relates to our vendors relationship. Leads collaboration between all departments in reviews and vendor performance planning. Leads product line conversions and vendor consolidation processes. Non-essential Functions Participates in executive level vendor meetings and internal Border States Vendor Scorecard meetings. Responsible for vendor product training. Provides input for the development and execution of training initiatives to fit category strategies. Supports and drives team and category KPI's. Performs other duties as assigned by supervisor or designate. Qualifications Four-year degree in sales, category management, product management, industrial distribution, technical or business degree and 3 years equivalent in work experience required. 2+ years prior supervisory experience preferred. Strong knowledge of electrical, utility, industrial or communication products and systems preferred. Knowledge of the SAP materials management system and its reporting capabilities preferred. Strong working knowledge of PC for Windows, Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Access, and PowerPoint), Internet, Email and SAP software. Skills and Abilities Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication, reading, and analytical skills. Ability to effectively plan, organize and negotiate. Excellent customer service skills include being competent, accurate, responsive and engaged. Ability to perform all aspects of the job accurately and efficiently as possible while providing exceptional customer service. Physical Requirements Frequency at which you would carry/lift in a typical day: Occasionally 0

• 33% Frequently 34
• 66%

Continuously:

67

• 100% Lift from

Waist:

< than 10 lbs.

• Not at all 10 to 25 lbs.
• Not at all 26 to 50 lbs.
• Not at all 51 to 75 lbs.
• Not at all 75 to 100 lbs.
• Not at all 100+ lbs.
• Not at all Lift from

Floor:

< than 10 lbs.

• Frequently 10 to 25 lbs.
• Frequently 26 to 50 lbs.
• Occasionally 51 to 75 lbs.
• Not at all 75 to 100 lbs.
• Not at all 100+ lbs.
• Not at all Carried for

Distance:

< than 10 lbs.

• Not at all 10 to 25 lbs.
• Not at all 26 to 50 lbs.
• Not at all 51 to 75 lbs.
• Not at all 75 to 100 lbs.
• Not at all 100+ lbs.
• Not at all Physical Activity Frequency at which you would do the following in a typical day: Sitting (a continuous period of being seated)
• Continuously Standing (for sustained periods of time)
• Frequently Walking (moving about on foot to accomplish tasks)
• Frequently Bending/stooping (downward and forward)
• Occasionally Crawling (moving about on hands and knees or hands and feet)
• Not at all Climbing/Walking Stairs (ascending or descending)
• Frequently Reaching (extending arms in any direction)
• Frequently Crouching/squatting (bending the body downward and forward by bending leg and spine)
• Occasionally Kneeling (bending legs at knee to come to rest on knee(s))
• Occasionally Balancing (maintaining body equilibrium to prevent falling)
• Occasionally Repetitive motion (substantial movement (motions) or the wrists, hands, and/or fingers)
• Continuously Pivoting (movement in any direction with one foot, keeping the other in contact with the floor)
• Occasionally Pushing/Pulling (using upper extremities to press against or draw or tug)
• Occasionally Grasping (Applying pressure to an object with the fingers and palm)
• Continuously Fingering (picking, pinching, typing; working with primarily fingers and not whole hand)
• Continuously Talking (expressing or exchanging ideas by means of the spoken word)
• Continuously Driving (the control and operation of a motor vehicle)
• Occasionally Desk work (work usually performed at a desk)
• Continuously Use of a computer
• Continuously Use of a telephone
• Continuously Hearing (Perceiving the nature of sounds at normal speaking levels)
• Continuously Exposure (to adverse weather & temperature conditions)
• Occasionally Travel (travel needed to perform job duties)
• Occasionally Additional Information This job description is a summary of the job duties and responsibilities and is not intended to cover all possible job duties and is subject to change at the employer's discretion.

Employees must be able to perform the essential job duties and satisfy job requirements either with or without a reasonable accommodation. Our History Border States is a leader in the electrical supply distribution industry with approximately 130 locations in 31 states. Our employee-owners are second to none in delivering top-notch customer service and in demonstrating extra-ordinary people skills. We are one of the largest independent electrical distributors in the United States providing products and services to the construction, industrial and utility industries. Border States has a competitive benefit package and is a 100 percent employee-owned company. Employee-ownership is a significant part of our culture and our success stems from the dedication of our employee-owners. We practice open-book management and our employee-owners are empowered with clearly defined levels of authority to be innovative and decisive, allowing us to respond quickly to the needs of customers. Employee-owners understand their roles in the success of the company and care about customers' needs, which drives our focus on adding value to everything we do. We recognize that not all customers are the same and each has specific requirements. Our employee-owners understand these diverse needs and have the commitment, resourcefulness and flexibility to outperform all others. ValuesAs a Border States employee-owner, you're responsible for living our mission, service philosophy and service standards. Our PurposeWe believe unstoppable businesses shouldn't go it alone. We are owners

• of relationships, of outcomes, of every moment these unstoppable businesses need to deliver.

Service PhilosophyWe earn customer loyalty and confidence by caring about their needs and adding value to everything we do. Service StandardsBorder States employee-owners are competent, accurate, responsive, and engaged . Your careerJoin an experienced team at one of the largest electrical distributors in the United States. What are you waiting for? Border States has a competitive benefits package which includes but is not limited to: Health, Dental and Vision BenefitsAccident, Critical Illness, Hospital IndemnityFSA & HSAEmployee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)Disability Benefits401(k) Retirement PlanLife InsuranceEmployee Assistance ProgramPaid HolidaysPaid Volunteer TimePersonal Leave time and more!

Border States provides bonuses to their employee-owners upon the achievement of branch and company goals. Equal Opportunity For All It's not just the law. It's something we've believed in since our founding. We value the diversity of all of our employee-owners and will always be an equal opportunity employer. Drug Free/Smoke Free workplace Employment may be contingent on the offered candidate successfully passing one or more of the following pre-employment screenings: Criminal background check (required for all positions) Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) check (required for positions involving driving) Drug testing The MVR check and drug testing vary by role and will be communicated to the offered candidate during the onboarding process and as applicable.