Retail Procurement Manager, Contracts

As a Retail Procurement Manager at BARK, your primary responsibilities include reviewing, negotiating, and managing contracts with retailers and vendors. You'll also build and maintain strategic relationships with key partners while ensuring alignment with BARK's strategic objectives. Additionally, you will support the growth of business relationships through vendor relationship management strategies and intensive business analysis.

To qualify for the Retail Procurement Manager position at BARK, you should have a BA/BS degree and a minimum of 5 years of experience in supply chain and procurement, specifically with handling large retail contracts. Advanced negotiation skills, effective collaboration with dispersed teams, and strong analytical abilities are also crucial for success in this role.

The Retail Procurement Manager at BARK plays a critical role in supporting both domestic and international operations. By interacting with various teams and building strong relationships with suppliers, you will help implement strategies that enhance efficiency and profitability across the supply chain, ultimately leading to greater customer satisfaction and business growth.

At BARK, the working environment for a Retail Procurement Manager is dynamic, collaborative, and fun! You’ll be part of a team that thrives on innovation and is serious about making dogs happy while ensuring the effectiveness of supply chain operations. Plus, we have a flexible work structure with options for remote work, making it easy to balance your professional and personal life.

BARK is dedicated to employee development and encourages continuous learning. As a Retail Procurement Manager, you will have opportunities to work on high-visibility projects and collaborate closely with senior leadership. Moreover, BARK fosters an environment where innovative ideas are welcomed, allowing you to grow professionally while contributing significantly to the company’s mission.

When answering this question, highlight your past contract negotiation experiences, focusing on specific challenges you faced and strategies you employed to achieve favorable terms. Include metrics to showcase your success and emphasize your understanding of the retail environment.

Discuss your strategies for establishing rapport and trust with vendors, such as regular communication, transparency, and mutual goals. Provide examples of successful partnerships you've developed in previous roles and the impact they had on overall supply chain success.

Explain your analytical methods, such as utilizing data analytics tools and key performance indicators (KPIs) to assess the supply chain's efficiency. Discuss how you've applied these analyses to drive improvements and decision-making in previous positions.

Provide a specific example that outlines the challenge, your thought process for resolving it, and the outcome. Highlight your problem-solving skills and adaptability in navigating complex situations, emphasizing what you learned from the experience.

Discuss your methods for monitoring compliance and managing contract renewals. Highlight your proactive approach to identifying potential issues and communicating effectively with stakeholders to ensure everyone is aligned and informed.

Emphasize interpersonal skills, negotiation abilities, strategic thinking, and data analysis capabilities. Discuss how these skills contribute to successful procurement and supply chain management, along with specific examples of how you’ve developed and applied them.

Provide your strategy for prioritization, such as using project management tools or frameworks to manage deadlines effectively. Highlight a scenario where your prioritization skills led to the successful completion of key projects amidst competing demands.

Discuss the impact of technology on procurement processes, including AI, automation, and data analytics. Provide examples of how you've leveraged technology to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, or improve vendor relationships.

Share a specific instance when you faced a supply chain disruption, detailing your immediate response and long-term solutions. Emphasize your ability to remain calm under pressure and actively collaborate with teams to overcome challenges.

When addressing this question, convey your passion for dogs and how it aligns with BARK's mission. Discuss the appeal of BARK's innovative culture and how your skills and experience make you a perfect fit for driving strategic initiatives within the company.