Torchora
Back to Home

Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Vendor Research Coordinator

💰 $55,000 - $85,000

ProcurementVendor ManagementResearchSupply ChainMarket Analysis

🎯 Role Definition

A Vendor Research Coordinator is responsible for conducting comprehensive research on suppliers, vendors, and market trends to support procurement, sourcing, and vendor management initiatives. This role involves gathering, analyzing, and presenting data to enable informed decision-making regarding supplier selection, risk management, and cost optimization. The coordinator works closely with procurement, operations, and vendor relations teams to ensure vendor strategies align with organizational objectives.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Procurement Analyst
  • Research Assistant
  • Supply Chain Coordinator

Advancement To:

  • Vendor Research Specialist
  • Vendor Relations Manager
  • Strategic Sourcing Analyst

Lateral Moves:

  • Supplier Quality Analyst
  • Contract Research Coordinator

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  1. Conduct in-depth research on existing and potential vendors, including capabilities, pricing, reliability, and compliance.
  2. Collect and analyze market intelligence to support procurement and vendor selection strategies.
  3. Evaluate vendor proposals and provide data-driven recommendations to procurement teams.
  4. Maintain and update vendor databases with accurate and timely information.
  5. Monitor vendor performance metrics and track historical data for trend analysis.
  6. Collaborate with vendor relations and procurement teams to assess supplier risk and performance.
  7. Prepare detailed vendor research reports, scorecards, and dashboards for management review.
  8. Assist in identifying alternative suppliers and competitive market options.
  9. Support due diligence processes for onboarding new vendors and suppliers.
  10. Ensure vendors meet regulatory, quality, and compliance requirements.
  11. Track changes in vendor capabilities, certifications, and industry standards.
  12. Conduct benchmarking studies comparing vendors on cost, quality, and service levels.
  13. Coordinate with internal stakeholders to gather research requirements and priorities.
  14. Participate in vendor selection meetings and provide analytical insights.
  15. Support vendor audits and compliance reviews with research documentation.
  16. Maintain confidentiality and security of sensitive vendor and market data.
  17. Recommend process improvements for vendor research and data management workflows.
  18. Assist with contract analysis by providing vendor background and market context.
  19. Monitor supplier innovations, market trends, and emerging technologies relevant to the business.
  20. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to align vendor research with business objectives.
  21. Prepare presentations and briefings summarizing research findings for executive leadership.
  22. Contribute to the development of tools, templates, and methodologies for efficient vendor research.

Secondary Functions

  • Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis.
  • Contribute to the organization's data strategy and roadmap.
  • Collaborate with business units to translate data needs into engineering requirements.
  • Participate in sprint planning and agile ceremonies within the data engineering team.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Proficiency in vendor management systems (VMS) and research databases.
  • Strong data collection and analysis skills using Excel, Power BI, or similar tools.
  • Knowledge of procurement, sourcing, and supply chain processes.
  • Experience conducting market research and competitive analysis.
  • Ability to evaluate vendor performance metrics and risk factors.
  • Familiarity with ERP systems and vendor data management tools.
  • Skilled in reporting, dashboard creation, and visualization of research findings.
  • Understanding of regulatory compliance, quality standards, and certifications.
  • Competence in benchmarking and supplier evaluation methodologies.
  • Experience with documenting and presenting analytical findings to stakeholders.

Soft Skills

  • Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
  • Excellent attention to detail and accuracy in research findings.
  • Effective communication and presentation skills.
  • Ability to prioritize and manage multiple research projects simultaneously.
  • Strong collaboration and teamwork mindset.
  • Adaptability to changing priorities and fast-paced environments.
  • Professionalism and ethical judgment in handling sensitive data.
  • Initiative and self-motivation in completing research tasks.
  • Critical thinking with the ability to synthesize complex data.
  • Commitment to continuous learning and process improvement.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, or related field.

Preferred Education:

  • Master’s degree or certification in Procurement, Supply Chain, or Market Research.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Supply Chain Management
  • Business Administration
  • Market Research
  • Procurement and Logistics

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • 2–5 years of experience in vendor research, procurement support, or market analysis.

Preferred:

  • Experience in vendor evaluation, sourcing analysis, or strategic supplier research.
  • Familiarity with industry-specific vendor markets and compliance requirements.
Explore More Careers