Manager, Vendor Relations

Work Location Toronto Corporate Office About the Role The Manager, Vendor Relations plays a critical role in translating merchandising and commercial strategy into mutually beneficial supplier partnerships and trade programming for SNDL’s Cannabis Retail segment, supporting 120+ stores across the Value Buds and Spirit Leaf banners. The incumbent will also support the Category Management team in delivering centralized merchandising initiatives and programs. Reporting to the Senior Director, Category Strategy, you’ll act as the day-to-day relationship lead for 50+ suppliers, managing all aspects of the vendor partnership lifecycle with a focus on driving overall retail revenue and margin growth. Candidates based our of SNDL's Toronto (49 Spadina Ave) or Edmonton (17220 Stony Plain Rd) offices on a hybrid basis are strongly preferred. Exceptional candidates working remotely from Ontario, Alberta, or British Columbia may also be considered. Responsibilities Vendor relationship management Act as the primary relationship lead for 50+ vendors, managing all aspects of the partnership lifecycle including onboarding, business reviews, commercial negotiations, billing, collections, and issue resolution Lead the identification, sourcing, and set up of new suppliers to address assortment gaps and evolving customer needs, including the negotiation of commercial agreements (e.g., master supply agreements, data program agreements) Analyze retail, category, and vendor performance data to develop insight-driven business reviews, and vendor-facing data products (e.g., dashboards, data program deliverables) Manage data program billing activities, including preparing invoices, ensuring timely payment from vendors, and investigating discrepancies Vendor governance Partner with key vendors to continuously refine joint business plans, including through regular touchpoints (e.g., monthly reviews, biannual top-to-tops) Design and continuously improve vendor engagement processes, governance frameworks, planning cycles, and performance review cadences to create a consistent and scalable partnership model Develop reporting, scorecards, and business reviews that measure vendor performance and identify growth opportunities Centralized merchandising support Design and execute centralized merchandising processes and initiatives, stitching together disparate category plans into cohesive execution Provide representation for the Merchandising team to ensure seamless execution of in-store and digital merchandising and promotions initiatives Across all the above, partner closely with Category Management, Merchandising Operations, Retail Planning & Analytics, Supply Chain, Store Support, Store Operations, Marketing, Loyalty, Business Technology, and Finance Qualifications 7+ years of experience in retail merchandising / category management, trade marketing, commercial management, or a related role Experience working in a fast-paced retail and/or consumer goods environment. Bonus points if you have experience working in cannabis Proven experience managing external partnerships, negotiating commercial agreements, and influencing senior stakeholders Exceptional analytical skills with the ability to turn large amounts of disparate data into clear, actionable insights. Advanced proficiency in Excel with experience working with large datasets, financial analysis, and performance reporting is required Experience working with enterprise-grade BI systems. Bonus points if you have experience working with PowerBI Strong financial acumen with a solid understanding of retail KPIs, margin mechanics, promotional economics, and inventory metrics High attention to detail, strong communication skills, and the ability to manage multiple priorities across regions and timelines What Makes SNDL a Great Place to Grow: Competitive compensation including performance-based bonuses and annual salary reviews. Comprehensive health and dental benefits, including a Healthcare Spendin…

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