Manager, Merchandise Sourcing (Raw Materials)
Houston, TX, United States
About the Role
This role supports our critical objectives on innovation, competitive advantage, quality, and cost optimization through application of extensive knowledge on textile sourcing, manufacturing process, development, and quality execution. Specifically, this role will be responsible for supporting assessments of sourcing options, facilitating technical product development discussions with mill/vendor counterparts, and problem-solving issues which arise during the development and production cycle. This role will also be instrumental in our drive to increase our fabric platforming volumes by continuing to build on our strategic relationships with fabric suppliers. This role will work closely with the Brand R&D, Fabric Team, Product Development Team and Product Integrity Team, Mills & Vendors.
What You'll Do
Leverages on technical knowledge and experience, together with of depth in understanding of the strengths and capabilities of suppliers to bring innovation from our suppliers across multiple brands with an elevated emphasis in performance active crossing over into other categories, as needed.
Supports Ad Hoc Countering in partnership with Global Mill Management team; Ensure fabrics developed are approvable, meet performance standards and work with suppliers to resolve any issues if needed.
Fosters and grows mill relationships and influences mill matrix to diversify Americas regional fabric capabilities to meet migration goals through counter sourcing and support R&D teams to drive newness, innovation.
Supports corporate sustainability goals through targeted component raw materials development and manufacturing processes of preferred fabric articles across brands.
Ability to do “should be” costings to support competitive negotiations by Mill Management team.
Participates in assessment of new Fabric Suppliers and new mills onboarding.
Work with vendors/mills to resolve or trouble-shoot any quality issues called out.
Develops the technical knowledge of team members.
Who You Are
Technical Projects – Experience managing projects fabric/technical related with an emphasis in performance active. Well versed in interpreting physical testing results including but not limited to stretch/recovery and modulus to drive consumer satisfaction through optimized fabric & fit performance. Well versed in fiber, yarn and fabric components to meet brand aesthetic, quality requirements and merchant financial goals through collaborative fabric engineering within the multi-tiered supplier matrix.
Business Acumen – Experience in building and establishing fabric/technical strategy & meeting or exceeding seasonal costing goals. Well versed in elevated “should be” negotiating skills leveraging movement in commodities markets to benchmarking yarn & finished fabric costs across multiple regional suppliers.
Problem Solver- can proactively solve problems and effectively manage multiple challenges.
Collaboration- Proven ability influencing and making decisions cross-functionally in a matrix environment where speed and cultural sensitivity is crucial.
Experimentation – proven ability to gather and analyze data along with implementing learnings for future use.
Personal Leadership- demonstrated leadership presence, presentation, influencing.
Work history- 5+ years experience in active performance fabric development with a specialization in knits working with active performance brands.
Languages- Fluency in English and Spanish as a second language preferred.
Based- Open to re-location within Central America (Guatemala).
Travel- Americas regional travel as needed.
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