The Associate Sourcing Manager is the liaison between the Buyers and agents/factories. This position is responsible for partnering closely with the Sourcing Manager in developing the overall sourcing strategy by category.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

Support the Sourcing Manager in the Product Partner Matrix process 

Lead for the Product Partner Matrix discussion for assigned responsibility

Compile and analyze data (Product Partner Scorecard) and make recommendations for grow/maintain/decline

Partner with Sourcing, Trend and Merchant Partners to align the matrix to the business needs 

Identify any gaps in the matrix and present recommendations to fill to the team

Assist in balancing global risks with country of origin diversification plans 

Partner with Manager to communicate action plans with Agents/Product Partners

Assist in onboarding new agents/factories

Track, report and manage agent/factory performance

Drive margin savings through cost negotiations during the development process

Identify cost improvement opportunities (bidding)

Clarify and communicate specs and product engineering details, labeling and packaging instructions and other information to in country sourcing and/or vendors 

Negotiate the costs from the directives

Compile and submit costing worksheets for PO creation to Merchant Partners

Execute, manage and report on production, resolve any issues to ensure on-time delivery

Build collaborative relationships with business and support teams

Perform other duties assigned by manager

 

 

 

 

Qualifications and Competencies

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required

Candidate must have a minimum of 3 - 5 years’ experience in international sourcing and/or buying, preferably within home goods, working directly with agents/factories

Strong organizational and project management skills

Ability to source from and work with overseas markets as needed

Strong ability to identify global issues and communicate within the organization

Demonstrate strong analytical, negotiating and problem-solving skills

Ability develop/maintain strong working relationship with peers and cross-functional teams

Demonstrates leadership and decision-making skills

Demonstrates strong listening, written and oral communication skills

Willing and able to travel for market and store trips

Flexible and adaptive to changing priorities

Possesses a clear understanding of the supply chain: product development, sourcing, packaging and shipping

Able to organize and prioritize workload to meet deadline

Takes calculated risks to achieve results 

Develops creative solutions to business issues

Prior experience working in a US/European retail business model is a plus

International travel required