Vendor Relations & Strategy Manager in Mississauga, Ontario at Wheels, Inc.

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 everything we do, from big bets to daily execution.
• Intellectually Curious – Fuel Your Minds: Be bold, challenge assumptions, think differently, look outside the box. Strive to unlock your own thinking and create new possibilities.
• Commit and Deliver – Own It: Take responsibility for your work, from start to finish, and be accountable for the results. Think and act like an owner of the business.
• Relationships Matter – Share the Ride: Trust is central, both with key internal and external stakeholders. Relationships are not a side effect of work but a driver of success.

JOB SPECIFICATIONS, PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT

Work Environment: This position is in Mississauga, Ontario and operates in a professional office environment.
Position Type/Standard Schedule: This is a Full-time position, Monday through Friday.
Travel: Regular travel (approximately 20-30%) is expected for this position.
Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee must regularly talk and hear and use hands and fingers to operate call center tools.

DISCLAIMER

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

We're proud to offer a competitive salary, extended health, dental and vison care, virtual heath, paid time off, & paid holidays, retirement with company match, exclusive discount programs, wellness programs, and more.

The base salary range for this position is listed above. This position is eligible to participate in the annual incentive plan which is based on company performance and individual performance. Compensation ranges are based on several factors including geographic location. Final offer amounts are determined by factors including, but not limited to, experience, credentials, education, certifications, skill level required for the position, the scope of the position, and geographic location. Actual pay offered will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

Wheels applies AI-based analysis to application materials to help assess fitness for hire for the specific job being applied for and to recommend job postings that align with the candidate’s skills, by comparing the candidate’s skills to the characteristics and qualifications listed in job postings and/or criteria established by Wheels’ hiring team.

As one of the largest fleet management companies in North America, Wheels features a portfolio of 900,000+ vehicles under management across the continent, a global alliance in 61 countries, and a client base that consists of some of the best-known businesses in the world. No matter the industry type or business size, we’re proud to work across sales and service fleets, trucks and equipment, and last mile delivery to ensure we power your potential.

The culture at Wheels is the secret to our 80+ years of success. And the reason people choose to join — and stay with — our team.

When you join the team, you'll work with professionals who are passionate, friendly and smart. We foster a welcoming and inclusive environment for all, combined with the encouragement to continuously learn and grow. From day one, we invest in your long-term development through annual performance goals and reviews, educational and wellness programs, awards and celebrations, and more.

Ready to experience the Wheels culture for yourself?

• 10 years average employee tenure

• 10 times recognized as one of Chicago's Best and Brightest Companies to Work For

• 50+ health, wellness and engagement benefits

• 2,500+ online learning programs

Diversity: Wheels deeply values the strength of diversity both in the communities we serve and our own employee base. This includes treating everyone as equal, respecting and valuing diversity, providing equal opportunity and fostering a safe space to work.

Community: We are heavily involved in the communities where we operate. We offer opportunities for employees to make a positive impact through mentorship and tutoring elementary school students, participating in blood drives, donating to United Way and other charitable organizations in the greater Chicagoland and Toronto areas.

Sustainability: Wheels is actively committed to becoming a cleaner fleet management company through recycling programs, public transportation support and more.

We Are Dedicated to the Safety and Health of our Employees

Our employees are critical to delivering on our commitment to client success, which is why we offer a variety of programs focused on the health and wellness of our people.

We hire people who have a customer-focused mindset and a strong collaborative nature. Because at Wheels, customer service and teamwork don't just happen in the office. It is during the informal moments when employee trust is strengthened and friendships are made. We value these moments, which is why we host departmental contests, summer gatherings, family events, holiday celebrations and more.

At Wheels, your well-being is our priority. As part of our commitment to your health and well-being, we’re proud to offer access to the Advocate Health Care Wellness Portal—a personalized platform designed to help you take charge of your health journey.

The 2026 Wellness Program is designed to support you in achieving your personal health goals. Best of all, it’s flexible and fits into your busy lifestyle.

This program is designed to support your overall well-being—physically, emotionally, and financially—by providing tools and incentives that encourage healthy living.