The posting
For A Better You
At iHerb, we believe that living a healthy and balanced life should be easy and accessible to everyone. As a team member, we’ll empower you to live this promise each day as you make a truly global impact in your career.
We constantly strive for innovation, while transforming and improving the online shopping experience for our customers. We believe that individually we are incredible, but when we come together, our growth is infinite. In an industry that is constantly evolving, we are on a mission to make an impact on the global market, and the individual and collaborative efforts of our people are paramount to helping us succeed.
Whether you work in one of our logistics centers, technology hubs, corporate offices or even from home, your role at iHerb will take you beyond what’s expected, turning challenge into change. If you're ready for it, we want you to join our team. Get started now.
Job Summary:
As one of the first Merchandising hires for Europe, the Vendor Manager (EU) will lead the evaluation, curation, and expansion of our product assortment across the European region. This role requires strong commercial judgment and the ability to balance strategic long-term goals with hands-on daily execution.
You will serve as the key bridge between our global strategy and local market execution: identifying high-potential brands, securing competitive commercial terms, navigating EU-specific compliance requirements, and leveraging data-driven insights to drive category growth and revenue expansion.
Job Expectations:
1. Category & Assortment Management
- Manage category assortment, supplier coordination, and product lifecycle activities across assigned categories to ensure market relevance within Europe.
- Execute pricing, promotional, and assortment initiatives to drive category growth, market share, and overall commercial performance.
- Support product launches, catalog optimization, and regional assortment expansion, ensuring new brands and products are seamlessly integrated into the European catalog.
- Partner cross-functionally to support operational execution and customer experience outcomes, working closely with regional and global stakeholders.
2. Commercial & Vendor Management
- Negotiate competitive, end-to-end commercial terms with vendors, including everyday pricing, marketing budgets, rebates, accruals, delivery schedules, and volume agreements.
- Procure products directly from manufacturers or authorized distributors, adhering strictly to company policies and regional sourcing standards.
- Build and maintain strong vendor relationships to foster innovation, drive margin improvement, and establish clear expectations.
- Manage vendor contracts, handle product evaluations, and resolve operational issues in collaboration with cross-functional partners.
3. Operational Excellence & Compliance
- Understand, navigate, and adhere to Europe-specific compliance, regulatory, and supply-chain requirements. Partner closely with Compliance and Regulatory teams to manage documentation, catalog additions, and approvals.
- Own key category metrics (KPIs) for new and existing brands. Monitor and evaluate pricing, costs, and system adjustments to maintain required mark-ups and protect margin performance.
- Collaborate with Inventory Management and Planning to align on forecasts, inventory turns, vendor performance, and order cycles.
- Partner with Marketing to develop profitable, high-impact promotional co-op activities.
- Align regularly with the Director of Merchandising and global teams (requiring occasional availability for US Pacific Time zone meetings).
- Utilize category reports and data analytics to identify market opportunities, guide commercial decision-making, and support long-term business growth.
The duties and responsibilities described above provide a summary of this position and do not constitute an exhaustive list of all job functions. Additional duties and responsibilities may be assigned as business conditions or requirements dictate, with or without prior notice.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Required:
- Strong, proven negotiation skills with a track record of securing highly competitive commercial terms and navigating vendor contracts.
- Advanced analytical, data-interpretation, and decision-making abilities with a deep understanding of retail pricing structures and margin dynamics.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to influence stakeholders at all levels—both internally (regional/global) and externally (vendors).
- Ability to manage multiple shifting priorities, solve complex problems, and make sound judgments in a fast-paced, startup-like environment.
- High attention to detail with strong organizational and project management capabilities.
Equipment Knowledge:
- Experience with ERP/WMS systems (e.g., SAP), EDI, project management tools (e.g., Asana), or business intelligence platforms (e.g., Tableau) is a strong plus.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
- Experience with Google Workspace (Gmail, Drive, Docs, Sheets, Forms) is preferred.
Experience Requirements:
- Generally requires a minimum of 4 years of progressive experience in buying, category management, merchandising, or a directly related commercial role.
- Experience in an international or regional e-commerce environment is highly preferred, with a strong preference for Pan-European market experience.
Education Requirements:
- Bachelor’s Degree in Business, Merchandising, or a related field (or equivalent practical work experience).
Judgment/Reasoning Ability: Able to identify, troubleshoot and resolve problems quickly using sound judgment, poise and diplomacy. Ability to use judgment and reasoning skills, and determine when to escalate issues, as required, in a timely manner.
Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by a Team Member to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the Team Member is regularly required to talk and hear. The Team Member is frequently required to sit, walk, climb stairs, use hands and fingers, bend, stoop and reach with hands and arms. Reaching above shoulder heights, below the waist or lifting as required to file documents or store materials throughout the work day. The Team Member may occasionally lift or move office products and supplies up to 25 pounds. Proper lifting techniques required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Work Environment: The noise in the work environment is usually moderate. Other factors are:
- Hectic, fast-paced with multi-level distractions
- Professional, yet casual work environment
- Office / Warehouse environment
- Ability to work extended hours as required
If you like wild growth and working with happy, enthusiastic over-achievers, you'll enjoy your career with us!
Staffing Agency Submission Notice iHerb does not accept unsolicited 3rd party ("Agency") candidates. If you are an Agency, please send any requests to be considered as a supplier in our Vendor Management System to [email protected]. Do not contact iHerb employees directly. If requested to work on a role, any Agency candidates would be presented through the internal recruiting organization.
iHerb is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status. iHerb provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment.
