Senior Client Manager, Hardlines & Home

William E. Connor & Associates Ltd.; Hong Kong; On-site; HKD 1,200,000 - 1,600,000; Full time

Job summary

William E. Connor & Associates Ltd. in Hong Kong seeks an experienced Hardlines & Lighting sourcing and category development lead to independently drive growth across multiple brands and markets. You will manage supplier networks, perform market intelligence, and develop compelling proposals with stakeholders in mind.

The role demands deep manufacturing knowledge, cross-functional leadership, and willingness to travel to advance supplier development and category strategies.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of leadership across Hardlines & Lighting sourcing or adjacent commercial functions.
• Extensive knowledge of manufacturing processes, materials, construction methods, tooling, finishing techniques, and factory operations.
• Established supplier network across multiple sourcing regions, with a track record of qualifying, negotiating with, and onboarding new manufacturing partners.
• Demonstrated ability to convert market, product, and supplier insights into category expansion and measurable business opportunities.
• Fluent in English and Mandarin; willingness to travel as required.

Responsibilities

• Own the growth and sourcing strategy for Hardlines & Lighting across relevant brands, categories, and markets.
• Translate business priorities into actionable category, country, product, and vendor development plans.
• Identify opportunities to expand existing categories, enter adjacent product areas, and develop commercially compelling proposals aligned with client needs.
• Use market intelligence, category knowledge, and supplier capabilities to advise on commercial potential, country strengths, cost drivers, and supply-chain risks.
• Leverage and expand an established network of Hardlines & Lighting manufacturers, component suppliers, and industry contacts across multiple sourcing markets.
• Identify and evaluate suppliers based on capability, quality, technical competence, cost, MOQ, capacity, speed, compliance readiness, scalability, and fit with the client's aesthetic.
• Lead factory capability assessments and supplier recommendations, then drive the process through selection, approval, onboarding, and pilot readiness.
• Build scalable sourcing lanes in priority and emerging markets to support category growth, diversification, and long-term commercial objectives.
• Act as the primary category expert, applying deep knowledge of product engineering, materials, components, tooling, manufacturing processes, finishing techniques, and category economics.
• Independently assess product concepts, commercial viability, factory capabilities, and end-to-end supply-chain requirements.
• Identify relevant products, material, design, and manufacturing trends and translate these into differentiated client opportunities.
• Challenge supplier proposals and development assumptions using market intelligence, technical expertise, and commercial judgement, recommending practical alternatives where needed.

Skills

Leadership

Category development

Sourcing

Supplier network

Market intelligence

English & Mandarin

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Hardlines & Home professional to independently lead category growth and global sourcing across these product areas.

This is a hands-on sourcing and business development role. The successful candidate will bring deep knowledge, an established multi-country supplier network, and the commercial judgement to identify new product opportunities, suitable vendors, and the right manufacturing markets.

Responsibilities:-

Category Strategy & Business Growth

• Own the growth and sourcing strategy for Hardlines & Lighting across relevant brands, categories, and markets.
• Translate business priorities into actionable category, country, product, and vendor development plans.
• Identify opportunities to expand existing categories, enter adjacent product areas, and develop commercially compelling proposals aligned with client needs.
• Use market intelligence, category knowledge, and supplier capabilities to advise on commercial potential, country strengths, cost drivers, and supply-chain risks.
• Leverage and expand an established network of Hardlines & Lighting manufacturers, component suppliers, and industry contacts across multiple sourcing markets.
• Identify and evaluate suppliers based on capability, quality, technical competence, cost, MOQ, capacity, speed, compliance readiness, scalability, and fit with the client's aesthetic.
• Lead factory capability assessments and supplier recommendations, then drive the process through selection, approval, onboarding, and pilot readiness.
• Build scalable sourcing lanes in priority and emerging markets to support category growth, diversification, and long-term commercial objectives.
• Act as the primary category expert, applying deep knowledge of product engineering, materials, components, tooling, manufacturing processes, finishing techniques, and category economics.
• Independently assess product concepts, commercial viability, factory capabilities, and end-to-end supply-chain requirements.
• Identify relevant products, material, design, and manufacturing trends and translate these into differentiated client opportunities.
• Challenge supplier proposals and development assumptions using market intelligence, technical expertise, and commercial judgement, recommending practical alternatives where needed.

Client & Cross-Functional Leadership

• Partner with client stakeholders to shape category and sourcing strategies and build persuasive proposals for business expansion.
• Provide clear direction to country offices on growth priorities, sourcing objectives, required factory profiles, and evaluation criteria.
• Work through dedicated merchandising, QA, operations, and administrative teams for day-to-day execution.
• Maintain visibility of the growth pipeline and contribute category intelligence, competitive insights, and sourcing-led ideas to annual planning and quarterly business reviews.

Qualifications:-

• 10+ years of leadership across Hardlines & Lighting sourcing, category development, or adjacent commercial functions.
• Extensive knowledge of manufacturing processes, materials, construction methods, tooling, finishing techniques, and factory operations.
• Established supplier network across multiple sourcing regions, with a track record of qualifying, negotiating with, and onboarding new manufacturing partners.
• Demonstrated ability to convert market, product, and supplier insights into category expansion and measurable business opportunities.
• Advanced commercial acumen, including cost analysis, value engineering, risk assessment, and the ability to challenge proposals relating to pricing, capacity, MOQ, lead times, and sourcing strategy.
• Working knowledge of product safety, testing, regulatory requirements, social compliance, and responsible sourcing.
• Fluent in English and Mandarin, with the cultural awareness and presence to engage clients, suppliers, senior leadership, and regional teams.
• Available to travel as required for supplier development, factory evaluations, sourcing initiatives, client needs, and industry events.

Connor is an equal opportunities employer. Personal data provided by applicants will be used strictly for recruitment purposes only. Only short-listed candidates will be notified. Applicants who are not invited for an interview within 8 weeks may consider their applications filed for future reference.