Apparel Product Development and Sourcing Manager

$68,000 - $75,000/Yr

Unclassified - Torrance, CA

Full-time - Mid Level

Torrance, CA

About the position

The Apparel Product Development & Sourcing Manager is responsible for developing and overseeing production specifications and manufactured products across various factories, ensuring alignment with the company's mission and philosophy. This role involves creating sourcing strategies that meet the company's goals and objectives, as well as researching, analyzing, and evaluating prospective factories to determine their core competencies and capabilities. The manager will recommend factory selections based on criteria such as target costs, quality, minimums, lead times, and certifications. In addition to factory selection, the manager will measure and monitor factory performance to ensure customer satisfaction, addressing any issues that arise in a timely manner. Establishing and maintaining effective business relationships with factories, suppliers, coworkers, and management is crucial. The manager will oversee product development and manufacturing schedules to ensure that prototypes, photo samples, and finished goods are delivered on time. This includes coordinating the production and approval of go-by samples and ensuring that a complete set of signed samples is available at the manufacturing facility. The role also requires coordinating the introduction of current or future products, including sourcing raw materials and factories for production. The manager will be responsible for competitive pricing processes for finished goods and raw materials, as well as monitoring sourcing markets to develop strategies based on market intelligence. Collaboration with the Sales department is essential to understand customer product requirements and communicate these to factories. The manager will coordinate milestone meetings throughout the development process, ensuring that all samples, costs, and related information are accurately compiled for review. Furthermore, the manager will handle the Tech Pack process for new and carryover styles, ensuring sufficient factory capacity for upcoming launches. Developing negotiation strategies to achieve sustainable supplier relationships is key, including periodic rebidding to maintain competitive costs. The manager will work with the Logistics Department to account for duty and freight rates in the landed cost and negotiate key terms with factories. Continuous cost and performance improvement strategies will be identified and executed in collaboration with factories and coworkers. The manager will also work with the Quality Assurance team to monitor product quality, investigate issues, and coordinate necessary product testing with approved labs. Special projects may be assigned as needed.

Responsibilities

• Develop sourcing strategies that align with company goals and objectives.
• Research, analyze, and evaluate prospective factories to determine their capabilities.
• Recommend factory selections based on target costs, quality, minimums, lead times, and certifications.
• Measure and monitor factory performance to ensure customer satisfaction and resolve issues promptly.
• Establish and maintain effective business relations with factories, suppliers, coworkers, and management.
• Oversee product development and manufacturing schedules to ensure timely delivery of prototypes and finished goods.
• Coordinate the production and approval of go-by samples and ensure their use in the production process.
• Coordinate the introduction of current or future products, including sourcing raw materials and factories.
• Manage the competitive pricing process for finished goods and raw materials.
• Monitor sourcing markets and develop strategies based on market intelligence.
• Collaborate with the Sales department to understand customer product requirements and communicate them to factories.
• Coordinate milestone meetings throughout the development process to compile samples, costs, and related information for review.
• Manage the Tech Pack process for new and carryover styles.
• Ensure sufficient factory capacity for upcoming launches or new programs.
• Develop negotiation strategies to achieve sustainable supplier relationships.
• Work with the Logistics Department to account for duty and freight rates in the landed cost.
• Negotiate key terms with factories, including cost, minimums, lead times, and payment terms.
• Identify and execute continuous cost and performance improvement strategies with factories and coworkers.
• Monitor product quality with the Quality Assurance team and investigate issues as they arise.
• Coordinate necessary product testing with approved labs and communicate non-compliance findings.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Three to five years of progressively responsible experience in the global sourcing environment.
• Three to five years of progressively responsible product development and/or factory experience strongly desired.
• Ability to travel overseas as needed.
• Strong negotiation, analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Detail-oriented with strong follow-through and organizational skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft Outlook and Excel.

Nice-to-haves

• Knowledge of business culture, cost factors, and major risks in foreign countries.
• Ability to react to change and work with multiple teams.

Benefits

• 401(k) with 3% match
• Dental insurance
• Employee discount
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance