Material Sourcing Specialist

Morgan McKinley; Hong Kong; On-site; HKD 420,000 - 660,000; Full time

Job summary

Morgan McKinley in Hong Kong seeks a Material Sourcing Specialist to lead end-to-end development and supplier relationships for leather, textiles, trims and hardware. You will bridge design, technical feasibility and commercial targets to deliver high-quality materials from concept through bulk production, maintaining quality and cost discipline across global supply chains.

The role requires strong negotiation, project management and English communication skills, with 5–8 years in raw material

Qualifications

• 5-8 years of raw material sourcing and development experience in leather goods or premium fashion accessories.
• Strong knowledge of tanning chemistry, hide grading, and material testing standards.
• Excellent negotiation, vendor management, and cost-analysis skills.

Responsibilities

• Source and develop seasonal leather/fabric collections aligned with design, cost and performance.
• Track raw material trends, supplier innovations, and commodity pricing.
• Onboard global suppliers, assessing quality, lead times, capacity and cost.
• Lead price negotiations and value engineering to meet FOB targets without sacrificing quality.
• Validate material viability pre-bulk release with data sheets and specs.
• Ensure compliance with REACH/RSL and testing protocols.
• Advance sustainability via certified tanneries, recycled textiles, and traceability.

Skills

Leather sourcing

Negotiation

Vendor management

Excel

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Job description

The Material Sourcing Specialist manages end-to-end development, commercialization, and supplier relationships, with a primary focus on leather alongside fabrics, trims, and hardware. This role bridges design innovation, technical feasibility, and commercial targets to deliver high-quality materials from concept through bulk production.

Key Responsibilities

• Source and develop seasonal collections of leather, textiles, hardware, and trims aligned with design, aesthetic, cost, and performance criteria.
• Track raw material market trends, supplier innovations, and commodity pricing fluctuations.
• Identify, evaluate, and onboard global suppliers across key manufacturing regions, assessing quality, lead time, capacity, and cost competitiveness.
• Lead seasonal price negotiations, annual cost reviews, and value-engineering initiatives to meet target FOB objectives without compromising quality.
• Validate the technical and commercial viability of materials prior to bulk release, establishing clear technical data sheets and material specifications.
• Ensure all sourced materials comply with international regulations (e.g., REACH, RSL), physical testing protocols, and corporate quality benchmarks.
• Drive sustainable sourcing initiatives by prioritizing certified tanneries, recycled textiles, low-impact finishing methods, and traceable supply chains.

Qualifications

• 5-8 years of experience in raw material sourcing and development, with demonstrated expertise in leather goods, handbags, footwear, or premium fashion accessories.
• Strong understanding of tanning chemistry, hide grading, weaving/knitting, hardware manufacturing, and material testing standards.
• Proven negotiation and vendor management skills; strong commercial acumen and cost-breakdown analysis; structured project management capability.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel; professional fluency in English (written and verbal). Existing relationships with international tanneries and material mills is an asset.