Vendor Development Manager

About Smith

Founded in 1984, Smith sources, manages, and distributes the electronic components that go into everything from mobile phones and computers to appliances and automobiles. Smith is the leading independent distributor of electronic components and ranks eighth among all global distributors.

We buy and sell components 24 hours per day, with global sales of USD $3.4 billion in 2025 and in excess of USD $16 billion over the last five years. We’re always moving as we help manufacturers navigate market shifts, customize supply chain solutions, test components using cutting-edge technology, and more.

As a privately held company, Smith employs more than 700 people worldwide, with offices spanning four continents. Our team members are spread out around the world while staying connected to each other, allowing us to provide the expertise of a multinational company while still giving the tailored support of a local business. We have regional headquarters in Houston, Amsterdam, and Hong Kong (China) sales and purchasing offices in Austin, Bangalore, Berlin, Cluj-Napoca, Guadalajara, London, Munich, New York, Penang, São Paulo, Seoul, Shanghai, Shenzhen, and Tokyo, and distribution hubs in Houston, Amsterdam, Hong Kong (China), and Singapore.

For more information, please visit our company website: https://www.smithweb.com/

Key Responsibilities:

·         Develop, manage, and strengthen relationships with new & existing suppliers in APAC (especially China), ensuring alignment with quality, cost, and delivery objectives.

·         Establish and nurture strategic supplier partnerships, including franchise distributors and direct manufacturers, to secure access to product and market intelligence.

·         Building multi‑level networks within key supplier organization.

·         Gather and share detailed information on parts availability, costs, and market updates through regular report.

·         Lead contract negotiations (payment terms) and identify cost‑saving opportunities and special price offers.

·         Provide Sales with proactive opportunities by matching favorable supply with customer demand.

·         Monitor industry developments to inform sourcing decisions and business planning.

·         Ensure suppliers meet Smith quality standard and regulatory requirements; collaborate with Quality to conduct audits and implement corrective actions. 

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in supplier development, procurement, or supply chain management.
• Strong commodity expertise, including Memory, CPU/GPU, and major IC manufacturers such as TI, ADI, ST, Broadcom, etc.
• Hands‑on experience managing suppliers in China or the broader APAC region, including on‑site visits, business reviews, and relationship‑building meetings.
• Excellent social and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build rapport quickly, communicate effectively, and negotiate confidently at all levels.
• Good understanding of semiconductor industry standards and regulatory practices.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and general PC applications.
• Willingness to travel for supplier visits, audits, and business meetings as required.

We are an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer.