THE ROLE

Apparel - Sourcing Manager, Women's Leather Outerwear

We are seeking a strategic and entrepreneurial Sourcing Manager to build and lead our Women's Leather Outerwear function. This person will be tasked with identifying and onboarding new vendor partners from scratch. The role will focus primarily on Women's Leather Outerwear category with potential expansion into other categories.

This is a rare opportunity to own and build a sourcing operation in a high-impact category. The ideal candidate will bring deep knowledge of category manufacturing, strong vendor relationships (or the ability to cultivate them), and the operational rigor to scale new supply chains that deliver on cost, quality, and lead time.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Scout for vendor partners in NE who can manufacture high quality Women's Outerwear products with fast production lead time
• Pitching and on-boarding vendor partners in speed. This should be done with clear criteria around the initial test period and ensuring their ability to scale, if the test period is successful.
• Drive excellence in partner operations for existing supplier relationships within current Quince categories, while expanding a redundant supplier base improving Quince's product costs, quality, and commercial terms for sustainable sales and profitability
• Manage capacity at a supplier and style level to keep pace with company growth and scale
• Material Sourcing: Resource in speed any materials that can effectively improve product cost, quality and speed as options for scaling order. Have experience negotiating with suppliers throughout the supply chain from T1 to T2 & T3 (as needed) mill/ vendor partners.
• Open costing expertise: Have solid open costing breakdown experience from brand or manufacturer side to build a clear strategy for costing negotiations; able to construct a validated cost structure/ template to negotiate with vendor partners without relying on vendor data only.
• Act as an Ambassador to our partners in all interactions, building and deepening our relationships Continuous improvement
• Drive for higher hit-rate launches (reviews, returns, sales) through product excellence and drive for faster development times by identifying bottlenecks and proposing solutions
• Have a clear strategic, commercial understanding of the sourcing landscape and trade benefits that can improve product costs and speed of product to market destined for the USA, Canada, and Europe as an asset.
• Lead at 30,000 ft and 3000 ft involving a diverse set of stakeholders from different functions and nationalities. Be willing to be scrappy at times to improve on existing ways of working and redefining new processes and SOP for faster speed and continuous improvement.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Experience: 10 year + sourcing and merchandising experience in Women’s apparel categories with high-end national brands in the United States & Europe specifically in Women's Outerwear.
• Consumer focused and ambitious individual providing strategic leadership and act as a role model in business with self assurance, pride, and passion that exudes personal and professional impact
• Self-Motivated: Proven ability as a self starter and quick independent learner adapting swiftly to new challenges
• Detail Oriented: Exceptional attention to details with a data driven approach to decision making and problem-solving.
• Analytical Skills: Strong analytical mindset with a focus on execution, process improvement, and brand enhancement.
• Curiosity: Continuous learner with a proactive attitude, open to new perspectives and adaptable to changing circumstances.
• Supply Chain or Operations Background: Good track record in supply chain management or operations contributing to a well-rounded understanding of the retail landscape.
• Collaborative Nature: Excellent interpersonal skills, fostering collaboration across teams, skilled in written and verbal communication and presentation.
• Resilient under pressure and relentless in the drive to create broader impact by being bold and challenging the status quo.