Manager, Vendor Relations

Work Location

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.

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

• 5-8 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
• Proven experience building and refining scalable merchandising processes
• 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. Bonus points if you have experience working with PowerBI
• Strong financial acumen with a solid understanding of retail KPIs, metrics, and mechanics
• High attention to detail, strong communication skills, and the ability to manage multiple priorities

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 Spending Account.
• Three weeks of paid vacation with annual rollover.
• Flexible, hybrid work arrangements to support work-life balance.
• Recognition and rewards programs that celebrate individual and team achievements.
• Employee & Family Assistance Program (EFAP) with mental health, financial, and family support.
• Employee perks and discounts program, offering savings across fitness, wellness, lifestyle, retail, and everyday services

We are grateful for the interest in this role from all candidates, however, we will be contacting only those that are selected for next steps in the hiring process. 

Our Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion

SNDL is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to building a welcoming, inclusive, diverse and safe workplace where all of our team members have equal opportunity to succeed. We know this begins with recruitment. To honor our commitment, SNDL encourages applications from individuals of all backgrounds, sexual orientation, gender identity, ancestry, ages and abilities. 

Targeted compensation - $95,000 - $109,000

About SNDL

SNDL is one of Canada’s leading and fastest-growing liquor and cannabis companies. As the country’s largest private-sector retailer, our portfolio includes well-known banners such as Wine and Beyond, Liquor Depot, Ace Liquor, Value Buds, Spiritleaf, and Cost Cannabis.

We’re also one of Canada’s largest vertically integrated cannabis producers, recognized for our innovation, low-cost manufacturing, and award-winning brands including Top Leaf, Contraband, Palmetto, Bon Jak, La Plogue, Versus, Grasslands, Vacay, Pearls by Grön, No Future, and Bhang Chocolate.

Driven by purpose, performance, and people, SNDL is shaping the future of retail and cannabis by bringing people together through exceptional products and experiences.

Rate Of Pay

CAD

Learn more about SNDL