Title:  Associate, Vendor Compliance & Operations

About I-CAR:

The Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR) is a growing, not-for-profit organization, headquartered in Hoffman Estates, Illinois, serving the automotive collision repair industry globally. The organization was established by representatives of the collision repair, automotive, and insurance industries in 1979 and has doubled its revenue over the last six years.

Today, the I-CAR brand is stronger than it has been in 40 years of operation and has gained a worldwide reputation. There is momentum and excitement among its committed workforce, instructors and volunteers to continue to help the organization grow and expand its breadth of reach and scale. I-CAR leadership believes that the future of the organization will be importantly influenced by its continuing innovation and relevance of its products, technical programs and services.

Position Summary:

The Associate, Vendor Compliance & Operations plays a critical role in ensuring the organization's vendor relationships are optimized for performance, compliance, and risk mitigation. This role is responsible for managing the full vendor lifecycle—from onboarding and due diligence through ongoing performance evaluation and contract oversight. In collaboration with Legal, Finance, Operations, and other stakeholders, the Associate supports strategic sourcing efforts and ensures vendor engagements align with corporate standards. Additionally, this role provides backup support to purchasing operations in the absence of the Purchasing Supervisor.

Essential Job Functions:

Vendor Lifecycle Management

• Lead the end-to-end vendor onboarding process, ensuring timely completion of all compliance checks, documentation, and approvals.
• Administer the annual vendor performance review process, including scorecard distribution, stakeholder input collection, and performance follow-ups.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date vendor records within ERP and procurement systems, including contact details, contract terms, and compliance status.
• Identify and recommend opportunities for vendor consolidation, cost savings, and improved service delivery.

Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure all vendor activities align with organizational compliance, audit, and risk management standards (SOC 2, ISO, or similar).
• Collaborate with Legal, Finance, and other departments to review contracts, assess risk, and ensure adherence to organizational policies.
• Maintain centralized storage and version control of all vendor-related documentation, including contracts, scorecards, and compliance forms.
• Support audit readiness by providing accurate and timely vendor data and documentation.

Process Improvement

• Recommend and implement improvements to vendor onboarding, monitoring, and documentation workflows.
• Develop and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs) for vendor management activities.
• Partner with cross-functional teams to streamline contract review, approval, and renewal processes.

Purchasing Support (Backup Duty)

• Serve as a backup to the Purchasing Supervisor, supporting day-to-day purchasing activities, including order placement and vendor correspondence as needed.

Required Skills/Abilities/Competencies: 

• Strong understanding of compliance frameworks (e.g., SOC 2, ISO) and vendor performance metrics.
• Proven ability to collaborate across departments, including Legal, Finance, and Operations. Experience with legal contract review processes.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and working knowledge of ERP/procurement platforms.
• Exceptional attention to detail, organizational skills, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.

• Negotiation experience with vendors or suppliers.

Education and Experience:

• High School Diploma or G.E.D. required. Associate's degree in business, supply chain management or related field strongly preferred.
• 3–5 years of experience in vendor management, procurement, compliance coordination, or similar operational roles required.

EEO Statement: 

I-CAR is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity / expression, national origin, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under federal, state or local law, where applicable. Those with criminal histories will be considered in a manner consistent with applicable state and local laws.