Associate Raw Material Sourcing CONTRACTOR (PT/FT)

Principal Duties and Responsibilities: Work with mills and overseas vendors on seasonal fabric development by communicating directly with mills and providing support to sourcing team. Assist the Fabric R&D process by translating design direction into fabric requirements and relate fabric requirements to mills. Own sourcing processes across assigned categories and collaboratively support seasonal product development process and timelines by managing mill selection, fabric quality, costing, lead times, and MOQs. Provide continuous communication with design/PD to ensure collaboration/alignment throughout the development process. Drive and influence continuous process improvements & opportunities to help improve efficiencies and profitability within the department. Understand product costs to identify price distortions and engage cross-functional partners for solutions. Negotiate price with domestic and overseas suppliers based on market fluctuations and quantities. Drive cross-functional calendar adherence and alert cross-functional partners on calendar implications should deliverables be missed. Build/maintain the fabric library to ensure all fabrics are brand/price appropriate. Manage receipt of new fabrics, present to Design, and file accordingly. Maintain and review records of fabric developed, cost, delivery, & fabric/mill performance. Perform filing, data entry, and organizing on a daily basis. Proactively manage potential issues; driving to resolution with cross-functional teams. Requirements/Qualifications: Minimum 3 years of experience in global strategic sourcing or procurement including raw material selection, supplier selection, management; relevant experience in a textile/PD or mill-related background is preferred. Possess technical knowledge of yarns, fabrics, dyeing, printing, finishing, and finished goods manufacturing processes. Previous experience/exposure to international factories/vendors required. Demonstrated ability to collaboratively manage multiple projects across categories, commodities, and suppliers. Understanding of product construction and costing. Ability to work independently to deliver results and influence stakeholders internally and externally. Strong verbal and written communication skills & understanding of design fabric intent.

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