Job Details

Job Description

Job Overview

We are seeking a strategic, transformation-minded Senior Manager, 3rd Party Vendor Management to design, build, and operationalize a new enterprise function that centralizes and optimizes our relationships with external vendors supporting trading card printing and manufacturing.

Today, this work is fragmented across multiple departments-this role will consolidate ownership, set the long-term strategy, and implement the processes, tools, and metrics to deliver best-in-class execution in a fast-paced, high-growth environment. You will work closely with senior leadership to translate business goals into a scalable vendor management model, balancing strategic vision with hands-on execution.

Key Responsibilities

Function Design & Transformation

• Lead the creation of a centralized vendor management function, defining its charter, processes, governance model, and KPIs.
• Map and assess current-state processes across multiple departments; identify gaps, redundancies, and opportunities for integration.
• Build a roadmap for function maturity, from immediate quick wins to long-term strategic capabilities.

Vendor Strategy & Selection

• Develop a vendor segmentation and sourcing strategy aligned with business priorities.
• Lead RFPs and competitive bidding for new and recurring production jobs, applying rigorous cost/quality/capability analysis.
• Formalize scopes of work (SoW) and negotiate contracts that drive both short-term performance and long-term value creation.

Execution & Performance Management

• Establish vendor performance metrics and review cadence, including quarterly business reviews.
• Ensure vendors deliver on production milestones, quality standards, and on-time/in-full (OTIF) delivery targets.
• Partner with Quality Assurance to embed robust inspection and audit processes.

Cross-functional Leadership

• Serve as the primary point of integration between vendors and internal teams (Quality, Procurement, Logistics, Product, and Project Management).
• Build change management plans to ensure adoption of new vendor management processes across the organization.
• Drive alignment between vendor capabilities and evolving product/market strategies.

Continuous Improvement & Scaling

• Analyze vendor and operational data to identify improvement opportunities, cost savings, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Introduce technology, dashboards, and reporting tools to enhance visibility and decision-making.
• Recommend and implement vendor consolidation or diversification strategies as appropriate.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Operations, or related field; MBA or advanced degree strongly preferred.
• Experience in transformation, or strategic operations, ideally with exposure to manufacturing or supply chain functions.
• Proven success in building or restructuring operational functions, driving change, and influencing senior stakeholders.
• Strong vendor negotiation, selection, and performance management skills; experience in manufacturing or print production a plus.
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives from strategy through execution.
• Analytical thinker with strong project management discipline and a track record of measurable impact.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills; skilled at building trust across diverse teams.
• Experience in trading cards, collectibles, or CPG is a plus.
• Ability to travel up to 50%, including internationally.

The salary range for this position is $125,000- $150,000, which represents base pay only and does not include short-term or long-term incentive compensation. When determining base pay, as part of a final compensation package, we consider several factors such as location, experience, qualifications, and training.

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