VENDOR MANAGER

Let’s be real, stadium renovations are cool, but what if they could also raise money, excite donors, and keep tons of materials out of landfills?  

That’s where CollectU comes in. We turn stadium and arena renovations into once-in-a-lifetime collectibles. From reclaimed seats and signage, to turf, flooring and unique limited-edition pieces, we help universities transform nostalgia into new revenue. Our campaigns preserve history, excite fans, and support sustainability, all while raising funds for future projects. 

We’re a fast-growing team of innovators, marketers, and sports fans who love bringing stories to life and transforming legacy into lasting memories. 

Location: Hybrid - Remote and in-office, Northbrook, IL
Experience: 3–6 years
Reports to: Senior Account Manager
Salary Range: $70,000 - $80,000

The Role

At CollectU, we don’t just sell memorabilia, we preserve moments. Seats, bricks, floors, signs, and pieces of sports history are transformed into limited-edition collectibles with real meaning behind them.

We’re looking for a Vendor Manager who thrives at the intersection of execution, negotiation, and accountability. You’ll be the person who ensures every product we sell is sourced, produced, and delivered on time, on budget, and at the quality our brand demands, with zero excuses and no details slipping through the cracks.

If you get a weird amount of satisfaction from locked-in timelines, tight vendor pricing, clean production runs, and solving problems before they become fire drills, this role was made for you.

What You’ll Do

  • Own vendor relationships across manufacturing, finishing, packaging, and logistics
  • Drive timelines from PO → production → delivery (no misses)
  • Negotiate pricing and improve margins
  • Hold vendors accountable to quality and deadlines
  • Coordinate with Ops, Account Managers, and Finance to hit launch dates
  • Collaborate with Account Managers to understand and bring to life client's vision and expectations

What We’re Looking For

  • 3–6+ years in vendor management, supply chain, or operations
  • Strong operator—organized, proactive, and solution-oriented
  • Comfortable managing multiple vendors/projects at once
  • Knows how to push for better pricing without sacrificing quality
  • Thrives in a fast-moving, build-as-you-go environment

Why CollectU?

  • You’ll help turn real sports history into meaningful, tangible keepsakes
  • You’ll have ownership, trust and real impact from day one
  • You’ll work with a passionate, fast-moving team that cares deeply about doing things the right way
  • This position is hybrid, with a mix of remote work and in-office days (Northbrook, IL), based on team needs and collaboration
  • We offer 90% employer-paid health insurance, paid time off, and additional benefits

Why This Role Matters

If vendors slip, we slip. You’ll be directly responsible for product readiness, margins, and execution across the business.

If you love sports, relationship building and details and want to be part of preserving legacy one collectible at a time we’d love to hear from you. To apply, please send your resume, cover letter and a paragraph or two telling us about your favorite sports or collectible-related story to careers@gocollectu.com.