Vendor Relations & Strategy Manager

About the role

Job Description: JOB OVERVIEW The Vendor Relations & Strategy Manager - Canadian Operations is a key individual contributor responsible for managing and optimizing a broad vendor network across the Canadian market, with an immediate focus on SAAQ and provincial Ministry partnerships. This role will serve as the primary liaison between Wheels and our Canadian vendor base, including licensing and compliance offices, dealerships, repair shops, and other third-party service providers, ensuring vendor performance aligns with operational expectations and service level agreements. The successful candidate will be fluent in English and preferably Canadian French, located in the Greater Toronto Area, and will be based out of our Mississauga office. They will play a strategic role in implementing the vendor management framework, analyzing performance through data tools, and driving continuous improvement across multiple categories. This position requires regular travel within Canada (20-30%) to foster in-person relationships and drive operational accountability. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES - ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS Vendor Management: Establish and execute the vendor management framework across all outsourced service categories in Canada. Serve as the primary relationship manager for Canadian Ministries (e.g., SAAQ), dealerships, repair facilities, and more. Collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders (Operations, Procurement, Legal, etc.) to assess category maturity, conduct gap analyses, and shape future state operating models. Lead initiatives to drive performance improvements and align vendor services with Wheels' business goals. Use dashboards and BI tools to collect, analyze, and visualize vendor KPIs, driving decisions around vendor allocation and strategic prioritization. Set performance review cadence and facilitate vendor business reviews to identify risks, address issues, and promote a culture of continuous improvement. Support vendor identification, onboarding, contract negotiation (in partnership with Procurement), and lifecycle management. Ensure compliance with internal controls, regulatory standards, and contractual SLAs. Make vendor volume allocation recommendations based on performance trends and data insights. Process Improvement: Identify and implement opportunities to streamline internal and vendor-facing processes. Lead or support continuous improvement events (e.g., Kaizen) in collaboration with internal and external stakeholders. Partner with IT to develop enhancements to tools and systems that support vendor performance tracking and reporting. Provide actionable insights through both quantitative and qualitative analysis to inform vendor strategy and operational decisions. Communication and Stakeholder Collaboration: Present vendor performance and strategic recommendations to internal and external stakeholders. Partner with internal teams to promote use of top-performing vendors and support escalations as needed. Represent Wheels with professionalism and integrity in vendor interactions. Serve as a subject matter expert on vendor management in the Canadian market. LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES This is an individual contributor position COMPETENCIES - SKILLS Strong relationship-building and negotiation skills with a customer-centric mindset. Experience working with provincial and federal agencies (e.g., SAAQ) is highly desirable. Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Excel and BI reporting applications (e.g., Power BI, Tableau). Demonstrated ability to drive vendor strategy using performance metrics and analytics. Strong business acumen and ability to collaborate and influence across cross-functional teams. Ability to travel throughout Canada (approximately 20-30%). EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE 8+ years of experience in vendor management, supplier relations, or operational program management, preferably in automotive, logistics, or fleet services. Preferred: Bilingual (English and Canadian French) - fluent written and verbal communication required in both languages. CORE VALUES At Wheels, we believe in fostering a culture that is built on our Core Values and Guiding Principles. We cultivate a culture of excellence and innovation by upholding these values, driving our collective success and growth. Integrity - Always act with integrity and honesty. One Team - Treat others with dignity and respect; act as a cohesive, inclusive and accountable team that is making a difference. Innovation - Drive continuous improvement, spark creativity and embrace next generation thinking. Customer Success - Ensure that customer and driver success is at the heart of everything we do. CULTURAL ATTRIBUTES At Wheels, our culture guides us how we work every day, and we look for team members who show these behaviors: Discipline Drives Quality - Plan the Trip: Think proactively, hold a high bar, follow through by leveraging experience and systems. To produce quality outcomes, we must be intentional and deliberate in