Associate, Vendor

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The Associate is expected to drive the execution of processes and tasks related to Supplier Management. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience conducting deep dive analysis to better understand trends, developing mitigation or improvement proposals based on insights, and communicating data insights to executive levels. The ideal candidate will have strong leadership, analytical, and interpersonal skills. This position supports all aspects related to Supplier Management cost and service levels and minimizing risks and deviations over contract commitments.

As a key contributor to US Foods supplier base cost, this leader will partner with stakeholders including Commercial, Supply Chain, Finance, IT, and Logistics to set and manage optimal supplier relationships. The Associate will be expected to be able to take full ownership in incubating new improvement ideas and in piloting and launching these initiatives. Such initiatives could include technology implementations, business process reengineering, etc.

The ideal candidate will have a combination of strong analytical skills, data literacy, supply chain and financial knowledge and communication abilities. In addition, candidates should possess experience in leading cross‑functional strategic efforts and should be comfortable introducing new ideas for established processes. The Associate should provide clear planning, strong management and detailed tracking over all activities that fall under her/his purview.

This role is Hybrid and will be Onsite one day a week (Tuesdays) in Rosemont, IL and Virtual.

• Execute process and project mandates from VP Supplier Relationship Management, including providing updates and tracking of progress, managing risks, and delivering results.
• Contribute to the development of strategic initiatives during the analysis, piloting and implementation stages.
• Collaborate to resolve issues generated by suppliers or to support suppliers.
• Support Supply Chain and Logistics in supplier negotiations.
• Provide planning, analytical and monitoring capabilities across the different stages.
• Apply and execute different Supplier Relationship Management frameworks, based on business needs, including contract conditions fulfillment, KPI measurement and evaluation, risk management, supplier negotiation analytics, etc.
• Develop effective communication materials to communicate results to leadership and align stakeholders from different functions on opportunities, risks, and necessary strategic actions.
• Lead communication efforts with the field or internal / external stakeholders on Supplier management.
• Develop strategies with key business partners to sustain high performance across suppliers.
• Support sustainment of strategic relationships with select suppliers.
• Assess rewards and penalties for suppliers based on contract performance and other conditions.
• Support execution of benchmarks to enhance US Foods Supplier Management capabilities.

Internal:

• Working teams across Field Leadership, Commercial, Category Management, National Accounts, DC Operations, Replenishment, Finance, IT, Logistics, SLT/ELT/BOD, Stakeholders across full organization

External:

• Working teams of US Foods suppliers

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management or related field
• Master’s degree or MBA is a plus

• 5+ years of work experience in consulting and/or strategy function

• Proven record leading strategic / analytical projects
• Demonstrated ability to execute complex, cross‑functional projects
• Continuous improvement mindset: vigilant in identifying ways to challenge the status quo
• Strong aptitude for making data‑based decisions and developing novel ways to utilize data
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills a must
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects - prioritization, planning and task delegation

This role will also receive an annual incentive plan.

Benefits for this role may include health insurance, pre‑tax spending accounts, retirement benefits, paid time off, short‑term and long‑term disability, employee stock purchase plan, and life insurance. To review available benefits, please visit

Compensation depends on relevant experience and/or education, specific skills, function, geographic location, and other factors as applicable by law (for example: state minimum wage thresholds). The expected base rate for this role is between $65,000 - $100,000.

*** EOE – Race/Color/Religion/Sex/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/National Origin/
Age/Genetic Information/Protected Veteran/Disability Status***