Vendor Compliance Specialist

Position Summary

The Vendor Compliance Specialist ensures that all vendors comply with the company's standards and contractual obligations. This critical role involves monitoring vendor performance, mitigating risks, and ensuring adherence to regulatory and operational standards. The Specialist will collaborate with departments such as procurement, legal, and internal audit to manage vendor relationships and address any compliance issues.

Key Responsibilities

• Assists in the onboarding of new vendors by verifying that all legal, financial, and operational requirements are met, and ensures all vendors comply with company policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements during the onboarding process.
• Collects, maintains, and tracks vendor documentation, including contracts, certifications, and licenses.
• Works to increase vendor enrollment with automated process flows for purchase orders, invoices, and payments.
• Conducts regular audits to ensure vendors comply with company standards, contractual obligations, and applicable laws (e.g., environmental, labor, safety regulations), and monitors vendor performance using key performance indicators (KPIs) and compliance metrics.
• Assists in identifying potential risks or compliance issues, escalating these concerns to management when necessary.
• Investigates and resolves vendor compliance issues or discrepancies, working with cross-functional teams to find resolutions.
• Communicates non-compliance issues to vendors and assists in developing corrective action plans, monitoring follow-up on corrective actions to ensure issues are resolved and compliance is restored.
• Serves as the primary point of contact for vendors regarding compliance-related matters and communicates compliance requirements and updates to vendors, providing education and support as necessary.
• Maintains positive and proactive relationships with vendors to promote long-term partnerships and compliance adherence.
• Implements best practices to improve efficiency across all vendor interactions with Casella, including contracts, purchase order flow, invoicing, and accounts payable.
• Prepares regular compliance reports for management, summarizing vendor performance, compliance status, and areas of improvement, and analyzes trends in vendor compliance issues to provide recommendations for improving vendor management processes.
• Works closely with internal teams such as procurement, quality control, legal, and logistics to ensure vendor-related compliance is aligned with business objectives, and supports the development and enforcement of vendor risk management policies
• Participates in training and other learning opportunities to expand knowledge of the company, products, sales, and services and performs any other duties needed to help drive our vision, fulfill our mission, and/or abide by our core values.

Education, Experience & Qualifications

The successful candidate will have a bachelor’s degree in business administration, supply chain management, finance, or a related field,1-3 years of experience in vendor management, compliance, supply chain, finance, or procurement, with a preference for those experienced in conducting audits and monitoring compliance standards. Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint) and experience with ERP systems are preferred. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are essential for interacting with vendors and cross-functional teams in a fast-paced, dynamic environment. Vendor management or compliance-related certifications (e.g., Certified Professional in Supply Management - CPSM, Certified Regulatory Compliance Manager - CRCM) are a plus.

Additionally, strong attention to detail, organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities are crucial. An analytical mindset with the ability to interpret data, identify discrepancies and compliance issues and generate actionable insights, is also highly valued.

Attributes

Competitive, charismatic, and results-driven individual who can build and maintain fruitful relationships based on personal integrity and trust and see the larger picture while synthesizing detailed information to create sales opportunities.

Benefits

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life & Disability Insurance, Maternity & Parental Leave, Flexible Spending Accounts, Discounted Stock Program, 401K, Employee Awards, Employee Assistance Plan, Wellness Incentive, Tuition Assistance, Career Pathways, and More.