Director, Store Support and Vendor Relations

Job Purpose

The Director, Store Support and Vendor Relations is a strategic leadership role responsible for sourcing and managing external service providers across all trades and geographic footprints in which the fleet operates. This individual will negotiate competitive service rates, ensure high-quality services, and secure applicable discounts to improve third-party service delivery to stores while reducing costs.

The role will spearhead monthly vendor reviews, manufacturer reviews, and negotiations with both manufacturers and service providers. Additionally, the position monitors part-purchasing and invoicing of outsourced services to ensure accuracy, efficiency, and alignment with cost reduction goals.

The Director, Store Support and Vendor Relations will also act as a point person for Operations training on key maintenance subjects, enhancing daily upkeep and preventing asset failures. Leveraging data from the work order management system, this role will identify and address recurring themes around asset issues, geographic problem areas, and new store concerns to drive continuous improvement across the facilities portfolio. 

Essential Functions

Vendor & Relationship Management

• • Source, select, and manage external service providers across all trades and geographic regions.
  • Negotiate agreements ensuring competitive rates, quality service, and applicable discounts.
  • Spearhead monthly vendor reviews, manufacturer reviews, and negotiations.
  • Collaborate with vendors and manufacturers to implement cost savings and service improvements. 

Financial Oversight 

• • Monitor and validate part purchasing and invoicing for outsourced services.
  • Ensure accuracy of vendor billing against contractual agreements.
  • Identify opportunities for cost reduction and streamlined financial processes. 

Training & Development Support

• • Serve as the point person for Operations training on key maintenance subjects.
  • Develop and lead training programs aimed at enhancing upkeep and preventing asset failures.
  • Collaborate with internal teams to ensure operational knowledge transfer. 

Work Order System & Data Utilization 

• • Leverage work order management system data to identify asset-related issues, recurring area concerns, and new store challenges.
  • Provide actionable insights to address recurring problems and drive continuous improvement.
  • Track and report on trends to guide practice service strategies.

Strategic Leadership & Collaboration

• • Provide strategic reporting and insights to the Executive Director of Facilities.
  • Align service support strategy with broader organizational goals.
  • Foster a culture of continuous improvement and customer-first service delivery. 

Additional Responsibilities

• • Uphold the mission, core values, and brand standards of the company by ensuring all practices reflect integrity, accountability, and operational excellence.
  • Performs other projects/duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required

• • Proven experience sourcing, managing, and negotiating with external service providers.
  • Strong communication, negotiation, and vendor relationship management skills.
  • Analytical skills with experience using work order or data management systems.
  • Background in vendor management, facilities operations, or related service supervision role.
  • Ability to manage competing priorities in a fast-paced environment. 

Preferred

• • 3+ years of leadership experience, preferably leading teams in facilities or multi-site operations.
    • Vendor management experience and/or service supervision experience is a plus. 
  • Experience working with maintenance trades, service providers, or manufacturers.
  • Knowledge of regional and national service area logistics.

Success Factors

• Vendor Partnership Excellence: Builds and maintains strong relationships with service providers and manufacturers that enhance reliability, reduce costs, and improve service outcomes. 
• Operational Insight: Uses data from the work order management system to identify patterns, forecast needs, and drive proactive facility improvements. 

Work Requirements

This position is based at the Baltimore Support Center with regular weekday hours, though some evenings or weekends may be needed for vendor or service priorities. Limited travel to stores or vendor locations may be required. Work is mainly in an office setting using a computer and phone, with long periods of sitting and frequent communication.