Manager, Vendor Relations and Dispute Resolution

The role requires strong leadership capabilities, vendor management expertise, cross-functional collaboration, and the ability to drive process improvements that enhance efficiency and strengthen vendor relationships. This leader sets the strategic direction for the vendor relations function, ensures operational excellence, develops and mentors team members, and maintains critical vendor partnerships.

Position Summary:

Amerit Fleet Solutions, one of the leading fleet maintenance companies in the US, is looking to hire a skilled Manager of Vendor Relations & Dispute Resolution.

 

The Manager of Vendor Relations & Dispute Resolution leads a team of four specialists responsible for managing vendor onboarding, account setup and maintenance, and the resolution of billing disputes and escalations. This leader sets the strategic direction for the vendor relations function, ensures operational excellence, develops and mentors team members, and maintains critical vendor partnerships. The role requires strong leadership capabilities, vendor management expertise, cross-functional collaboration, and the ability to drive process improvements that enhance efficiency and strengthen vendor relationships.

Compensation: Competitive Salary Pay - Paid weekly, every Friday! Salary Range: $100,000-110,000 depending on experience.

 

The benefits of belonging – what’s in it for you? 

 

• Full benefits within 30 days
• Medical, dental, vision, prescription drug coverage, life insurance, disability insurance
• 401(k) match program
• Paid vacation, holidays, and sick time
• Commitment to your safety through boot and prescription safety glasses reimbursement
• Career and learning development with an extensive training program through our Amerit University
• Employee referral program, up to $1,000 bonus
• ASE certification program with fee reimbursement and bonus
• Employee recognition platform that includes opportunities to redeem points for merchandise
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• 24/7 nurse triage line
• Employee discounts on cell phone service and entertainment tickets
• Employee resource groups (ERGs) that foster inclusion
• Wellness and fitness programs through our providers

Essential Duties & Responsibilities:

Team Leadership & Development
Directly manage and oversee a team of four, including hiring, performance management, and professional development
Conduct regular one-on-one coaching sessions and team meetings to review workload, monitor progress against priorities, and ensure alignment with departmental objectives
Foster a culture of open communication, encouraging team members to raise questions, concerns, and barriers affecting performance
Provide coaching, guidance, and mentoring to develop team capabilities and prepare high performers for advancement
Remove obstacles to success and reinforce accountability for meeting established expectations, quality standards, and deadlines
Set performance metrics and conduct regular performance reviews against departmental objectives and individual goals
Strategic Vendor Relations & Escalation Management
Maintain and strengthen relationships with key national account vendors
Lead recurring status meetings and working sessions with national account vendors to review accounts receivables, disputed POs, aging invoices, process challenges, and action items
Handle high-priority vendor escalations and complex disputes requiring management-level resolution and negotiation
Escalate and resolve critical aging invoice issues and billing discrepancies that impact cash flow or vendor relationships
Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders to remove barriers, improve processes, and expedite resolution of open issues
Operational Oversight & Process Optimization
Provide oversight of vendor onboarding workflows, account setup and maintenance processes, and dispute resolution procedures
Monitor key performance metrics including ticket resolution times, dispute closure rates, aging balances, and vendor satisfaction
Identify opportunities for process improvement, automation, and workflow optimization; lead implementation of enhanced procedures
Review and ensure quality of team deliverables including vendor documentation, dispute resolutions, and account configurations
Oversee compliance with established processes, service level expectations, and company policies across the function
Cross-Functional Collaboration & Stakeholder Management
Participate in New Business Implementation (NBI) meetings to ensure vendor onboarding readiness and support successful customer implementations
Coordinate with Accounts Payable, Finance, Operations, and other departments to resolve escalations and address systemic issues
Serve as subject matter expert and escalation point for complex vendor, PO, and billing issues requiring senior-level involvement
Partner with cross-functional teams to develop and implement strategic initiatives (e.g., account sunsetting processes, vendor program improvements)
Reporting & Strategic Planning
Prepare regular reporting on team performance, vendor metrics, aging invoices, dispute resolution status, and identified trends
Identify and recommend process improvements, technology investments, and organizational changes that enhance efficiency and vendor satisfaction
Set annual goals and objectives for the team aligned with organizational strategy; track and communicate progress toward goals
Required Qualifications
5+ years of experience in vendor management, account management, operations, or related field
2+ years of direct team management or supervisory experience
Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and manage multiple stakeholders simultaneously
Strong experience with dispute resolution and complex negotiation
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Proficiency with email, collaboration tools, spreadsheets, and business systems
Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities with proven ability to drive process improvement
Ability to work effectively in a collaborative, fast-paced environment and respond to shifting priorities
Preferred Qualifications
Fleet management, transportation, or automotive industry experience
Experience with Zendesk or similar ticketing systems
Background in dispute resolution, billing, accounts payable, or finance operations
Experience with process improvement methodologies or continuous improvement initiatives
Key Competencies
Leadership & Team Development
Vendor Relationship Management
Conflict Resolution & Negotiation
Strategic Thinking & Planning
Process Improvement & Optimization
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Performance Management & Accountability
Communication & Stakeholder Engagement
Decision-Making & Problem-Solving
Work Environment
This role operates in a fast-paced, dynamic environment with frequent vendor, cross-functional, and team communications. The position requires flexibility to respond to urgent escalations and shifting priorities. Regular communication includes email, phone calls, video meetings, and participation in cross-functional working sessions and vendor calls.