Job Description

The role of the Apparel Senior Sourcing Manager is to execute the EMEA sourcing strategy for both `47 and New Era to support the product development and bulk production of Apparel categories that meet our brand quality standards. The Apparel Senior Sourcing Manager will work closely with peers in the strategic business units, product development team, design team, innovation team to turn ideas into great merchandise. The Apparel Senior Sourcing Manage reports to the Senior Head of Global Sourcing EMEA.

Pre-Season Management; Annual/ Seasonal Planning

• Review the seasonal category strategy with Senior Global Head of Sourcing EMEA, New Era and `47 Category Managers.

Product Management:

• Support Product Development and Product Management on sample and artwork development that align with the category sourcing strategies.
• Communicate to purchasing and vendors raw materials to be ordered for seasonal development, SMS and bulk production.
• Manage sampling time and action calendar to meet key milestones.
• Monitor on-time delivery of development samples.
• Collaborate with Product Development, Design and Fabric R&D to troubleshoot seasonal style issues.
• Liaise with Headwear Sourcing on fabric requirements for Hook Up Program’s.

Financial Management

• Ensure initial costing for all development is updated on PLM prior to final line review and sales sample ordering.
• Review and resolve style exceptions not meeting margin goals.
• Lead cost negotiations for adopted categories.
• Review and resolve style exceptions not meeting category margins prior to finalizing costing in the line sheet prior to PO issuance.

Seasonal Planning

• Work closely with the Senior Global Head of Sourcing to build a strategic vendor base to develop and produce product that meet brand quality standards.
• Provide input to Senior Global Head of Global Sourcing to help shape and inform 5-year sourcing plan.

In Season Management

• Hand over production tech packs from the Sourcing team to the Production team
• Communicate adopted styles and delivery/lead times requirements to Production teams
• Communicate pre-booking or early fit requirements for style exceptions to cross functional team.
• Communicate to merchandising and planning about raw material and production minimums for adopted styles.
• Confirm order/qty placement and TAC for adopted styles with Production teams and vendors.
• Manage and update raw materials and style updates to Raw Materials team.

Knowledge and Experience

Skills, Experience and Knowledge

• Knowledge of Manufacturing and product engineering, trade regulations, testing protocol, product integrity, production cycle timeline, calendar management, fabric construction and manufacturing
• Managing the sourcing function including offshore raw materials and finished goods, experience in both the European and Asian market
• Develop credible relationships with suppliers, customers and employees with proven results in obtaining cost reductions and reducing costs in the manufacturing/supplier channel
• Knowledge of trends in market conditions, pricing and futures markets as they may impact the purchase of current as well as possible future products and services.
• Detail Oriented with strong follow through
• Demonstrate proactive problem solving
• Ability to react to change
• Influencing, negotiating skills
• Solid working knowledge of ERP/MRP systems, quality and supplier management
• Computer skills: proficiency in Microsoft applications, web-based applications

Personal qualifications

Through experience, you must be able to demonstrate achievement over time in all of the following areas:

• A personality profile suited for an expansion stage enterprise, i.e. an entrepreneurial, roll-up-the-sleeves type who is self-starting, flexible, focused, confident, “hungry”, resilient and resourceful
• Able to think through the details and contingencies of options and plans and make sound business decisions
• Articulate and able to clearly state objectives and strategies to superiors, customers and suppliers

Qualifications and Achievements

Minimum experience:

• 5 Years’ Global Sourcing experience.

Physical Requirements:

• Domestic and International travel required

Please note that this role is 4 days working in our Milton Keynes office, and 1 day working from home.