Sourcing Manager, Decorative Textiles

About this opportunity...

The Sourcing Manager for Decorative Textiles provides sourcing and operational expertise on all aspects of the Product Life Cycle from strategy to development to delivery. Reporting to the VP of Sourcing, this role is the liaison between the Agent/Vendor/Overseas office and the Merchant team that manages critical deliverables. The Manager will drive delivery of product that is in line with the brand aesthetic, quality and value that meets the Merchant objectives. The Manager will support education of merchants and as well training of Associate Sourcing Managers.

What you will do and what you will learn...

• Manages Sourcing and Product Development operational functions for designated product categories. Responsible for the development of products from initial design concept to placement to production to shipment of an item.
• Anticipates potential problems and risks; generates ideas, insights and solutions to resolve or avoid potential problems; proposes solutions to Director/VP.
• Demonstrates a critical eye for product and skill developing raw materials and finishes. Receives, organizes, and assesses samples for aesthetic and overall quality.
• Owns product costing and cost engineering leveraging knowledge of HTS.
• Monitors milestone calendars to ensure that deadlines are met, issues are flagged and updates to the team are timely.
• Facilitates effective communication with vendors and agents to ensure shipments are delivered on time; troubleshoots and resolves any issues that arise.
• Keeps product knowledge current by shopping the competition, Ross/dd’s stores, and the market; makes recommendations to the Ross/dd’s assortment mix based on learnings. Demonstrates understanding of price value relationship.
• Takes initiative to utilize product knowledge to research and develop new resources and creative methods of sourcing product to impact the assortment.
• Partners with Director/VP on the onboarding of new suppliers/ countries/ factories.
• Provides relevant data to merchants for PO issuance and ensures accuracy before sending completed PO to vendor.
• Owns continual development and refining of workflow, processes and tools in partnership with the Director/VP.
• Establishes and cultivates strong relationships with all internal and external business partners.

What you need to be successful...

• Bachelor’s degree or commensurate required
• 5+ years sourcing experience, in Product Development/Sourcing/Merchandising within a large retail chain (Participation in a retail training program a plus)
• Knowledge of the product development and production process as well as technical aspects of the product (e.g., Materials, machinery and etc.)
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
• Demonstrated proficiency in negotiating and influencing skills
• Proficient in retail math
• Strong critical thinking with a solution focused approach; ability to independently analyze information and make recommendations
• Comfort and experience embracing change and adapting to shifting priorities in a multitask environment
• Professional and effective written and verbal skill; experience communicating with international partners. Fluency in Bengali, Hindi, and/ or Mandarin Chinese a plus.
• Strong PC/Microsoft Office skills, with an emphasis on share tools and Excel spreadsheet applications
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally

#LI-NM1