Vendor Operations Lead

Business Unit: Store Support Centre (SSC)

*Important: please note that this is an onsite contingent worker contract under third party employment.Who we are

lululemon is an innovative performance apparel company for yoga, running, training, and other athletic pursuits. Setting the bar in technical fabrics and functional design, we create transformational products and experiences that support people in moving, growing, connecting, and being well. We owe our success to our innovative product, emphasis on stores, commitment to our people, and the incredible connections we make in every community we're in. As a company, we focus on creating positive change to build a healthier, thriving future. In particular, that includes creating an equitable, inclusive and growth-focused environment for our people.

About this team

Vendor Operations & Engagement reports into the Global Sourcing team and is part of lululemon's Supply Chain organization. This team takes the lead in creating, delivering and sustaining tools, processes and programs to support the Product and Supply Chain organizations and our product vendor base.

The Vendor Operations and Engagement team cuts across strategy and operations to ensure lululemon has a robust vendor base to meet growing demands across geographies, product categories and new ventures. Key areas of focus are: Vendor Operations (including new vendor approval process, documentation, risk management, and vendor-facing processes and initiatives), Vendor Communications (management of our vendor-facing extranet and communication channel), and Vendor Engagement programs and events (encompassing vendor meetings, events and impact programs).

Reporting to the Manager, Vendor Operations, the Vendor Operations Lead is primarily responsible for leading the new vendor onboarding process, including the collection of vendor profile information and documents and the creation and sustainment of vendor data and documentation across systems. This role is perfect for a natural problem solver with strong attention to detail who thrives in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment.

A day in the life:

• Lead the end-to-end new vendor approval process (NVAP) for the exploration, assessment, setup and onboarding of new parent vendors and facilities, including collection of information and documents from vendors, triggering assessments and setup of vendors in systems
• Track onboarding progress and prepare and deliver status updates and progress reports to key stakeholders
• Communicate directly with vendors to request information, troubleshoot issues, and connect with leadership and cross-functional partners as required
• Develop, publish and maintain dashboards and reporting on key vendor NVAP metrics and risks
• Partner closely with Global Sourcing teams to drive seamless onboarding of new vendors to support growth plans and business strategy
• Manage cross-functional meetings, lead conversations with cross-functional teams to gain alignment and move work forward towards target season deadlines
• Ensure vendor and facility data is complete and accurate across tools and systems, and develop and maintain vendor-facing documentation and SharePoint site content (e.g. NVAP Portal)
• Lead and participate in cross-functional initiatives to support the implementation of new tools, systems, and processes that impact our vendor base
• Identify process improvement opportunities and partner with cross-functional teams to design, document, implement and continuously improve systems, tools and processes to reduce complexity, improve efficiency and unlock capacity across the organization
• Support vendor meetings and onboarding sessions with cross-functional partners as required
• See the bigger picture and understand the up and downstream impacts of changes to vendor data, tools, systems, and processes

Qualifications:

• 5+ years' experience in project management, operations or other related field, preferably in a vertical apparel retail environment
• Strong knowledge of production, raw materials and manufacturing, with experience managing vendor relationships
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office tools (Excel, PowerPoint, Visio, etc.). Experience with Smartsheet, Power BI, Power Automate and vendor management systems is an asset
• Experience managing multiple projects and priorities with a variety of different stakeholder groups, working in a high-pressure environment and delivering under tight timelines
• Ability to interface with leadership, subject matter experts, vendors, and internal teams to solve complex business problems
• Demonstrated experience with identifying, documenting and driving process improvements
• Experience in building and maintaining reports and dashboards
• Exceptional organizational and analytical skills with the ability to collect, organize, analyze, and disseminate significant amounts of information to solve complex problems
• Able to work cross-functionally with different departments and at different levels within an organization to enroll and influence decision-making
• Self-motivated, passionate, detail oriented, solutions focused, critical thinker, intellectually curious, and able to work independently
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work collaboratively to move work forward
• A team player that truly believes they are successful when the organization is successful

Must haves:

• Acknowledges the presence of choice in every moment and takes personal responsibility for their life.
• Possesses an entrepreneurial spirit and continuously innovates to achieve great results.
• Communicates with honesty and kindness, and creates the space for others to do the same.
• Leads with courage, knowing the possibility of greatness is bigger than the fear of failure.
• Fosters connection by putting people first and building trusting relationships.
• Integrates fun and joy as a way of being and working, aka doesn't take themselves too seriously.

Beyond the Paycheck (Benefits & Perks): At lululemon, we care for and invest in the whole person – body, mind, spirit. Our total rewards program is designed to support you in achieving your goals and focus on the things you love. In addition to competitive base pay and a team-based bonus program, we also offer paid time off, generous employee discounts, fitness/yoga classes, parenthood top up program and personal and professional development programs. Note: availability of these benefits and perks may be subject to your location & employment type and may have certain eligibility requirements. The Company reserves the right to alter these benefits and perks in whole or in part at any time without advance notice.

#LI-CY1

Learn more about what it's like working for lululemon in our Asia-Pacific markets:

Only those applicants under consideration will be contacted. Please accept our utmost appreciation for your interest. lululemon is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on merit and business needs, and not on race, color, creed, age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, marital status, medical condition, physical or mental disability, military service, pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions or any other classification protected by federal, state or provincial and local laws and ordinances. Reasonable accommodation is available for qualified individuals with disabilities, upon request. This Equal Employment Opportunity policy applies to all practices relating to recruitment and hiring, compensation, benefits, discipline, transfer, termination and all other terms and conditions of employment. While management is primarily responsible for seeing that lululemon equal employment opportunity policies are implemented, you share in the responsibility for assuring that, by your personal actions, the policies are effective.

lululemon is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to applicants with disabilities. If you would like someone from our team to contact you for individualized support, email us at accommodations@lululemon.com. In your email, please include the position title, the location of the position and the nature of your request.