Manager, Sourcing I (Apparel)

Overview

Develop and lead global sourcing category team to execute the strategic global sourcing plan and meet company financial goals and aesthetic vision.

Job Responsibilities

Leadership

• Support Manager in leading a solution oriented and results driven sourcing team.
• Develop, train, and mentor direct reports
• Proactively assist Manager to identify, assess, and implement process improvements to increase efficiencies and accuracy.
• Collaborate with team members to apply consistent processes that work for all teams

Cost Negotiation and Metrics

• Participate in developing negotiation strategies to best support company financial goals and long-term supplier partnership
• Conduct pre/post seasonal analysis and present to SMT, including key performance metrics
• Identify and target development with vendors that can execute the aesthetic requirements and deliver company financial goals. Counter-source costing and sampling with multiple vendors
• Communicate costing and MOQ issues to cross-functional teams and drive resolutions
• Partner with cross-functional teams: PLM, Design, Product Development, QA, and Materials to cost engineer products that meet or exceed financial targets
• Understand fit and design modifications that affect price and follow through with vendors on updates as required
• Responsible for costing data integrity across multiple systems
• Report style costing for key meeting milestones: Line Reviews, Assortment Review, and Buy Meeting and additionally as requested by VP of Sourcing.
• Responsible for improving IMU and average unit cost year over year

Vendor Development and Allocation

• Assist in researching , developing and on-boarding new suppliers
• Identify suppliers’ capabilities to support and react to chase programs
• Lead and partner with mangers and directors to balance vendor base allocation

Procurement Management

• Process pre-production changes to vendors; communicate liability, quality, and delivery impact
• Negotiate fabric and garment production lead-times to ensure bulk commitments align with corporate calendar.
• Manage PO creation and procurement process (data set-up, feeds, prepack materials and order set up and uploading purchase requisitions process for PO creation.
• Data uploads as needed to maintain correct purchasing records.
• Responsible for product and order data integrity across multiple systems.

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Results driven and solution oriented
• Strong analytical skills
• Expertise in MS Office applications and PLM systems
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to multitask and to prioritize projects and deadlines
• Attention to detail and data integrity
• Strong leadership, problem-solving, and negotiating skills
• Ability to travel internationally
• Knowledge of apparel retail industry
• Strong interpersonal skills; comfortable and effective in dealing with conflict

Education/Experience Required

• 5-7 years’ experience in Sourcing, preferably in Apparel, Gear, Footwear, or Accessories
• 4 year college degree or equivalent work experience

Physical Requirements:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that are required by an associate to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Ability to work on computer and mobile phone for multiple hours; with frequent interruptions.
• Required to travel in elevator or stairwells to attend meetings and engage with associates on multiple floors throughout building.
• The associate must frequently lift and/or move up to 15 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 35 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
• Hotel, Airplane, and Car Travel Required.
• Ability to work in open environment with fluctuating temperatures and standard lighting.
• While performing the duties of this job, the associate is regularly required to talk or hear. The associate is frequently required to sit; stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; as well as reach with hands and arms.

Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:

This is a full-time position. As an International Retailer, occasional evening and/or weekend work may be required during periods of high volume. This role operates in a professional office environment and routinely uses standard office equipment.

Other Considerations:

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the associate for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. Reasonable accommodations may be made to qualified individuals with disabilities to enable them to perform the essential functions of the role.

Requirements & EEO Statement

The salary range for this position is $75,000 to $93,000 annually. Pay is based on several factors, including but not limited to position offered and work experience. In addition to your salary, SPARC Group, and its affiliated brands, offers a benefits package, including 401(k) plan, overtime pay, flexible work schedule and a generous employee discount program (all benefits are based on eligibility). Additional information regarding the benefits for this position can be found in the Benefits Guide that is available from our Human Resources Department.

SPARC Group LLC is an equal opportunity employer. We value a culture of inclusion and diversity within our workforce, and are committed to maintaining a workplace free from prohibited employment conduct, including discrimination or harassment on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, domestic partner status, civil partnership, status as a covered veteran, status in the Uniformed Services of the United States, citizenship and any other characteristic protected by law (“Protected Characteristics”).