Vendor Management Associate

We Value What Makes You, You

IMS is committed to building and maintaining a team that reflects the diverse consumer base and communities that we serve. We know that when our associates are empowered to bring their whole selves to work, they feel valued and appreciated, and bring better results for our clients. We strive to build a culture that rewards people for their unique perspectives and contributions, and where our people are connected - to the work we do, to each other, and to IMS.

Who are you?

You think critically and solve problems. You can handle a variety of tasks and work on multiple projects at once.

Additionally, you embody the IMS principles of Passion, Collaboration, Integrity, Inventiveness, and Proactivity. You will be part of a team that strives to provide excellent service and thought leadership to our clients and want to bring your best to the organization and see your work brought to life.

What’s the opportunity?

IMS is currently seeking a Vendor Management Associate to work out of either our Skokie, IL, or our Kenosha, WI facilities. The Vendor Management Associate will work directly with the Senior Director of Strategic Sourcing, key IMS functional contacts, and supplier contacts to optimize the supplier validation processes as well as other vendor management tools and vendor partnerships. This role serves as a critical foundation to IMS’s Vendor Management group by ensuring IMS utilizes vendors who can deliver an optimal balance of reliability along with high-quality and creative products and solutions. This job provides a challenging work environment where your efforts drive meaningful results for our vendors, our co-workers, and IMS, while providing you an exceptional learning experience and ample room for growth.

Primary Responsibilities Include:

• Managing the supplier validation process of collecting, reviewing, and processing legal and financial documents while meeting or exceeding monthly validation KPI goals
• Maintaining the vendor database across multiple systems and tools to ensure all stakeholders have the most current and accurate vendor information available in a clear, concise, and valuable added format
• Reviewing vendors’ gaps in validation requirements, determining viable options, creating and sharing recommendations to IMS management, and documenting all findings and outcomes
• Accurately, politely, and professionally communicating verbally and via email with internal stake holders and business leaders of current and prospective vendors regarding validation and other vendor concerns
• Collaborating with Accounting, Production, Vendor Management, and Account teams to identify and present process improvement opportunities to the Vendor Management director, create the respective plans, and implement process improvements throughout multiple departments
• Conducting accurate and timely recurring and ad-hoc reporting and analysis as needed
• Thoroughly and accurately documenting and sharing key takeaways from interdepartmental meetings and confirming involved associates have completed their next steps prior to the next meeting as needed
• Other duties as assigned
  
  
  

The Skills And Experience You Have

Qualifications:

• 1-2 years of experience and/or knowledge of Business, Strategic Sourcing, Supply Chain, or Accounting
• Excellent organization, methodical problem solving, and communication skills, and the ability to work independently and manage priorities under tight timelines; ability to work resiliently under pressure
• High attention to detail and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Ability to understand a process, breakdown and document the process, offer recommendations for improvement, and implement those improvements across the organization with support from management
• Flexible, solution-oriented approach to solve problems/address questions on the fly, while maintaining process/timeline requirements
• Proficiency in Word, Excel, Outlook and willingness to learn new software as needed
• An associate or bachelor's degree is preferred, but not required
  
  
  

What We Offer

In addition to playing an important role at IMS, you'll receive:

• Competitive salary
• Medical, dental, vision, and 401(k) with match
• Generous PTO policy
• Robust peer recognition program
• Training and development opportunities
• Commitment to growing and enhancing our organizational culture
  
  
  

Who We Are

IMS represents leading brands at the point of purchase – in store, online, and behind the scenes – including digital and traditional signage, print and POP, branded merchandise, and more. Our marketplace is solution agnostic, so our clients achieve best execution at lowest price throughout North America. Our integrated platform (planning, procurement, freight, warehousing, kitting, fulfillment, field execution, analytics, and program management) empowers our clients to stay at the strategic level, knowing that we can help turn their marketing vision into a reality. Visit us at: www.IMSretail.com.

IMS is wholly owned by Omnicom Group (NYSE: OMC), an inter-connected global network of leading marketing communication companies offering a diverse, comprehensive range of marketing solutions spanning brand advertising, customer relationship management, media planning and buying services, public relations and numerous specialty communications services to drive bottom line results for its clients (www.omnicomgroup.com).

A note to candidates

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every single one of the qualifications as described in a job description. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive company and we are most interested in finding the BEST candidate for the job. That candidate may be one who comes from a less traditional background, and that’s okay. We would strongly encourage you to apply, even if you don't believe you meet every one of the qualifications described.

IMS is an Equal Opportunity Employer



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