Sourcing Manager

About the role

You will lead a team responsible for managing a class or sub-class-level category, cultivating cross-functional and vendor relationships to optimize cost strategy and the vendor network.

This is an on-site position based in our Northbrook, IL office with the flexibility to work remotely on Fridays (Monday through Thursday on-site).

Responsibilities

• Execute and advise on vendor strategies using a vendor matrix to support Product Development and Buying strategies, including vendor allocation.
• Negotiate favorable first costs based on targets provided by the Merchant team, ensuring design and materials align with cost targets or adjusting as needed.
• Develop and monitor pre-production activities (sample development, quotes, packaging, etc.) to ensure timely completion.
• Track product sampling, escalate potential delays, and ensure samples are available for review by deadlines in the product development calendar.
• Analyze and calculate procurement costs, suggesting methods to decrease expenditure.
• Monitor purchase order milestones to ensure development approvals are secured before ordering and escalate outstanding approvals to senior management.
• Identify and track vendor capabilities, including:
  • Innovation in design and production (materials and techniques)
  • Value—cost and quality
  • Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
• Assess and analyze vendor capacities, partnering with planning teams to utilize projections and forecasts.
• Maintain a close working partnership with Design, Buying, Planning, and Quality and Compliance teams.
• Improve vendor reliability through performance management.
• Achieve margin goals.
• Assess, react, and communicate missed production or purchase order deadlines to appropriate business units.
• Assist the Sourcing leadership team on products and tasks.
• Supervise an associate and help them achieve their individual savings targets.
• Recruit, hire, train staff, evaluate performance, and recommend or initiate promotions, transfers, and corrective action.
• Participate in ongoing training regarding technology upgrades and new systems applicable to the position.
• Travel overseas as needed.

Requirements

• Excellent reading and written language skills in English, multi-cultural awareness and respect, basic arithmetic, interpersonal skills, telephone presence, and data entry skills.
• Intermediate to advanced understanding of manufacturing processes for assigned categories.
• Ability to manage and develop direct reports.
• Ability to manage a timing and action calendar.
• Effective email communication with overseas vendors and agents.
• Strong negotiating skills.
• Strong financial reporting and quantitative analysis skills.
• Ability to be agile and flexible in a changing environment.

Qualifications

• A minimum of 5 years in a Sourcing or Product Development role.
• 3 years of relevant management experience.
• College degree required.

Schedule

On-site Monday through Thursday in Northbrook, IL, with remote work flexibility on Fridays.