Head of Vendor Relationship Management

Department

Commercial / Supply Chain / Procurement

Role Summary

The Head of Vendor Relationship Management is responsible for developing, managing, and optimizing strategic relationships with global and regional vendors supplying life science chemicals, reagents, laboratory consumables, and scientific or production equipment.

This role ensures strong supplier performance across pricing, availability, lead times, and commercial support, while identifying opportunities for portfolio expansion, improved margins, and joint business growth. The position acts as the primary interface between vendors and internal sales, operations, and finance teams.

Key Responsibilities

• Vendor Strategy & Relationship Management

• Own and manage strategic relationships with assigned vendors and principals

• Act as the primary point of contact for commercial, operational, and escalation matters
• Conduct regular business reviews with vendors to assess performance and growth opportunities

• Negotiate commercial terms including pricing, discounts, rebates, exclusivity, and commercial support

• Commercial & Revenue Enablement

• Work closely with sales teams to support quotation pricing, special bids, and deal structuring

• Ensure competitive pricing, accurate lead times, and product availability for customer quotations
• Identify cross-selling and upselling opportunities across vendor portfolios

• Drive repeat business and long-term revenue growth through strong vendor alignment

• Portfolio & Supplier Development

• Identify gaps in the current supplier portfolio and onboard new vendors where required

• Support introduction of new products, technologies, and solutions into target markets
• Coordinate vendor-led promotions, campaigns, trainings, and product launches

• Align vendor offerings with customer segments such as Pharma, Biotech, Academia, CDMOs, Food, and Chemical industries

• Internal Coordination & Process Optimization

• Collaborate with sales, supply chain, logistics, finance, and regulatory teams

• Ensure accurate vendor data, pricing structures, and contracts are maintained
• Support demand forecasting and inventory planning in collaboration with operations

• Improve supplier-related processes, documentation, and performance tracking

• Performance Monitoring & Reporting

• Track vendor KPIs including pricing competitiveness, delivery performance, margin contribution, and sales growth

• Analyze vendor profitability and take corrective actions where required
• Prepare management reports on vendor performance, risks, and opportunities

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences, Chemistry, Pharmacy, Biotechnology, Engineering, or Business
• 5–8+ years of experience in vendor management, procurement, key account management, or B2B commercial roles
• Proven experience working with international suppliers in life sciences or technical industries
• Strong negotiation, stakeholder management, and commercial acumen
• Fluent in English and French (written and spoken)

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in laboratory consumables, reagents, scientific instruments, or industrial equipment
• Understanding of pharmaceutical, biotech, or academic research environments
• Experience supporting sales teams with pricing, quotations, and supplier negotiations
• Familiarity with ERP or CRM systems

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Vendor revenue growth and margin contribution
• Pricing competitiveness and win-rate support
• On-time delivery and lead-time performance
• Number of active and strategic vendor partnerships
• Portfolio expansion and new vendor onboarding success

Job Type: Full-time

Ability to commute/relocate:

• Casablanca: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

Experience:

• Vendor Relationship: 1 year (Preferred)

Language:

• English (Required)

Location:

• Casablanca (Preferred)