Vendor Quality Specialist

About the role

The Vendor Quality Specialist monitors, evaluates, and improves the performance, compliance, and overall quality of third-party vendors supporting the company’s transportation and logistics operations. They serve as a liaison between internal stakeholders and external service providers to ensure vendors meet established service, quality, safety, and operational standards.

Responsibilities

• Monitor vendor performance against established Service Level Agreements (SLAs), quality standards, and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).
• Conduct vendor audits and performance reviews to ensure compliance with company policies, customer requirements, contractual obligations, and regulatory standards.
• Investigate vendor-related service failures, shipment issues, claims, and customer complaints to determine root causes and implement corrective actions.
• Collaborate with vendors and internal departments to resolve operational issues and improve service quality.
• Track, analyze, and report vendor performance metrics, identifying trends and recommending process improvements.
• Develop and maintain vendor scorecards, performance dashboards, and supporting documentation.
• Maintain accurate vendor records, scorecards, and performance documentation.
• Assist in onboarding new vendors by verifying documentation, certifications, insurance requirements, and compliance standards.
• Monitor vendor compliance with safety, security, operational, and customer-specific requirements.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives by identifying opportunities to enhance vendor performance, reduce service failures, and improve operational efficiency.
• Work closely with Operations, Procurement, Customer Service, Safety, and Finance to ensure vendor expectations are communicated, understood, and achieved.
• Prepare reports and presentations for leadership regarding vendor quality, performance trends, corrective action plans, and risk areas.
• Participate in vendor meetings, business reviews, and performance discussions.
• Ensure timely follow-up on corrective action plans, audit findings, and vendor commitments.
• Identify recurring operational issues and partner with vendors to implement preventive measures and long-term solutions.
• Maintain confidentiality of vendor information and company data.
• Perform all other duties as assigned to meet evolving business needs.

Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED equivalent required; undergraduate degree in a related field preferred.
• Professional certifications such as Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP), Certified Professional in Supplier Diversity (CPSD), Lean Six Sigma, or related certifications are preferred but not required.
• 2+ years of experience in logistics, transportation, supply chain, vendor management, quality assurance, operations, or a related field.
• Knowledge of transportation operations, freight management, carrier/vendor performance management, and service quality measurement preferred.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to evaluate data, identify trends, and implement corrective actions.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to present performance results and recommendations to various stakeholder groups.
• Ability to build collaborative relationships with internal teams and external business partners.
• Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to prioritize multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Experience with Transportation Management Systems (TMS), ERP systems, vendor management platforms, reporting tools, or related business applications preferred.
• Knowledge of root cause analysis, corrective action planning, continuous improvement methodologies, and performance management principles preferred.
• Demonstrated discretion and confidentiality in handling and protecting sensitive information.
• Proficient with common office technologies, including Windows PCs, Microsoft O365 (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.), and web conferencing (Teams, Zoom, Webex, etc.).

Schedule

100% on-site, with occasional travel for vendor and company site visits, meetings, and events.