Director Vendor Management & Enablement

Our merchandising team aims to deliver the best value and selection to our customers through products, services and solutions all centered around our customers' needs. We are driven by customer insights and analytics to bring products and solutions to market seamlessly. We're inclusive, well-rounded professionals who have deep experience in buying, selling, negotiating, operations, design, innovation, finance and more.

The Director, Vendor Management & Enablement will lead the development and execution of operational strategies that support vendor and merchant readiness, adoption, and ongoing performance across the merchandising ecosystem. This role is focused on improving speed-to-market, reducing friction, and driving consistent execution of operating standards.

What you'll be doing:

Vendor Management

• Implement vendor agreement standards, SLAs, and compliance expectations, and ensure adherence at scale

• Establish governance mechanisms to monitor vendor adherence, identify risks, and drive accountability

• Implement vendor segmentation frameworks and engagement approaches established through business priorities

Enablement Planning & Execution

• Implement and manage vendor and merchant SLAs and readiness standards

• Support continuous improvement of enablement processes

• Support adoption of tools, workflows, and processes that improve operational effectiveness

• Lead development of enablement playbooks, training, and communications

Training & Capability Development

• Own the development of scalable training strategies and programs for vendors and merchants, partnering with L&D

• Ensure training content reflects current needs, workflows, and standards

• Measure effectiveness and continuously refine based on adoption and performance metrics

Vendor Readiness

• Support vendor trainings and process rollouts, ensuring suppliers are ready to transact and scale

• Reduce vendor friction through process improvements and guided workflows

• Partner with vendors & merchants to resolve thematic issues

Merchant Enablement

• Equip merchants with the tools, processes, and clarity needed to manage assortment and vendor execution

• Drive behavioral change to align with future-state operating model

• Improve ease of doing business across merchandising

Process Excellence & Performance Management

• Monitor and report on KPIs across vendor and enablement performance (adoption, cycle time, quality, compliance, vendor readiness)

• Establish reporting frameworks and dashboards to provide visibility into performance and opportunities

• Facilitate process improvement initiatives to reduce friction, improve quality, and increase efficiency

• Provide operational insights and performance reporting to support business decision making

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Coordinate cross-functional alignment across Merchandising, Product, Digital, L&D, and Technology

• Provide business input into roadmap planning to ensure enablement and vendor needs are addressed

• Partner with business stakeholders and technical teams to support enablement-related initiatives

• Facilitate communication and issue resolution among stakeholders

Team Leadership

• Build and lead a high-performing team responsible for vendor management, enablement, and training

• Establish clear roles, ownership, and career pathways across the team

• Manage resource allocation and workload planning to support business needs

• Drive a culture of accountability, operational excellence, and continuous improvement

What you bring to the table:

• Strong ability to influence stakeholders and drive alignment across cross-functional teams.
• Ability to translate business strategy into scalable programs, processes, and measurable outcomes.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to build, develop, and scale teams and operating models.
• Passion for improving systems, workflows, quality, and the overall vendor and merchant experience.
• Data-driven mindset with a focus on continuous improvement and operational performance.
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to simplify complex operational challenges.
• Ability to lead change and drive adoption of new tools, processes, and ways of working.
• Sound judgment, strong initiative, and the ability to operate independently in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to manage multiple priorities and initiatives simultaneously.
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management, and executive presentation skills.

What's needed - Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor''s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Operations, Merchandising, Retail Management, Organizational Development, or a related field.

• 10+ years of experience in merchandising operations, vendor management, enablement, eCommerce, vendor onboarding, or a related field.

• 5+ years of experience leading teams, managers, or multifunctional organizations.

• Experience leading cross-functional initiatives from planning through execution and operational adoption.

• Experience implementing operational processes, governance frameworks, service level agreements, and compliance standards.

• Experience developing KPIs, dashboards, and reporting frameworks that drive business performance and decision-making.

• Experience leading process improvement initiatives that improve operational effectiveness, quality, compliance, or efficiency.

• Experience leading complex projects or programs involving multiple stakeholders and business functions.

• Proficiency with data analysis, business reporting, and process management tools.

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, including Excel and PowerPoint.

• Experience utilizing AI-powered tools and capabilities to improve business processes and productivity.

What's needed - Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Business Administration or a related field.
• Experience driving change management and adoption of new systems or processes.
• Experience leading vendor readiness, training, or enablement programs.
• Experience supporting large-scale operating model, process, or technology transformation initiatives.
• Experience implementing workflow, supplier management, learning management, or enablement platforms.
• Lean, Six Sigma, Change Management, Project Management Professional, or related certification.
• Experience developing scalable operational programs across large, complex organizations.
• Experience managing vendor governance, compliance, risk management, and performance improvement initiatives.
• Experience using business intelligence and reporting platforms such as Power BI, Tableau, or similar tools.

We Offer:

• Inclusive culture with associate-led Business Resource Groups
• 22 days of PTO and Holiday Schedule - 7 observed paid holidays + 1 floating holiday
• Online and Retail Discounts, Company Match 401(k), Physical and Mental Health Wellness programs, and more!

The salary range represents the expected compensation for this role at the time of posting. The specific base pay may be influenced by a variety of factors to include the candidate''s experience, skill set, education, geography, business considerations, and internal equity. In addition to base pay, this role may be eligible for bonuses, or other forms of variable compensation.

Staples is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law.