Ralph Lauren Sourcing Specialist, Accessories

BoF Careers; Bengaluru Urban; On-site; INR 1,400,000 - 2,300,000; Full time

Job summary

Ralph Lauren Corporation seeks a senior Merchandiser with extensive leather product experience to drive sample development, costing, and vendor coordination. You will ensure on-time development and secure approvals, working closely with factories and the Raw Material team.

Ideal candidates have 10+ years in leather apparel/accessories merchandising, Diploma in leather, and strong Excel skills, with fluent English and collaboration across brands and calendars.

Qualifications

• Merchandising/sourcing experience with US buying office or large trading business (desirable).
• At least 10 years of manufacturing experience across leather apparel and accessories merchandising focusing on product development.

Responsibilities

• Develop samples and secure proto samples to SRS.
• Carry out base testing for fabrics and raw materials; coordinate with Raw Material team for approvals.
• Carry out/revise costing; negotiate with suppliers to meet product targets.
• Allocate vendors; work with identified suppliers for production.
• Coordinate with capacity team on capacity management and lead times.
• Ensure timely approvals and pre-production activities; follow production TNA to ship on time.

Skills

Merchandising/sourcing

Leather knowledge

Excel and data analysis

Strong communication

Brand/product development

Education

Diploma in leather

Tools

Excel

Job description

Company Description

Ralph Lauren Corporation (NYSE:RL) is a global leader in the design, marketing and distribution of premium lifestyle products in five categories: apparel, accessories, home, fragrances, and hospitality. For more than 50 years, Ralph Lauren's reputation and distinctive image have been consistently developed across an expanding number of products, brands and international markets. The Company's brand names, which include Ralph Lauren, Ralph Lauren Collection, Ralph Lauren Purple Label, Polo Ralph Lauren, Double RL, Lauren Ralph Lauren, Polo Ralph Lauren Children, Chaps, among others, constitute one of the world's most widely recognized families of consumer brands. At Ralph Lauren, we unite and inspire the communities within our company as well as those in which we serve by amplifying voices and perspectives to create a culture of belonging, ensuring inclusion, and fairness for all. We foster a culture of inclusion through: Talent, Education & Communication, Employee Groups and Celebration.

Company Description

Ralph Lauren Corporation (NYSE:RL) is a global leader in the design, marketing and distribution of premium lifestyle products in five categories: apparel, accessories, home, fragrances, and hospitality. For more than 50 years, Ralph Lauren's reputation and distinctive image have been consistently developed across an expanding number of products, brands and international markets. The Company's brand names, which include Ralph Lauren, Ralph Lauren Collection, Ralph Lauren Purple Label, Polo Ralph Lauren, Double RL, Lauren Ralph Lauren, Polo Ralph Lauren Children, Chaps, among others, constitute one of the world's most widely recognized families of consumer brands. At Ralph Lauren, we unite and inspire the communities within our company as well as those in which we serve by amplifying voices and perspectives to create a culture of belonging, ensuring inclusion, and fairness for all. We foster a culture of inclusion through: Talent, Education & Communication, Employee Groups and Celebration.

Position Overview

• To work on sample development process in order to ensure that samples are developed accurately to secure orders | To secure costing , negotiations, time action plan | Work closely with factory to ensure all development related activities are secured well on time to secure 100% Ontime.
• Should have good knowledge and understanding of leather and leather products

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Responsible for sample develop and secure sample proto to SRS
• Ensure base testing is carried out for fabrics and raw materials and work closely with Raw Material team for approval
• Carryout/ revise costing and negotiate prices with suppliers - Understand product costing and suggest alternative constructions, fabrications, and/ or vendors to meet Product Manager's aesthetic and margin targets
• Vendor allocation for product and work closely with identified vendors
• Work closely with capacity team on capacity management
• Ensure sample Leadtime is as per RL standard or keep minimum
• Work to secure all approvals prior to order confirmation.
• Secure all pre-production activities timely .
• Work with factory to ensure production TNA is followed and secured to ship on time

Experience, Skills & Knowledge

• Merchandising/ sourcing experience preferred with US buying office or large trading business.
• At least 10 years of manufacturing experience across leather apparel and accessories merchandising with main focus in product development.
• Diploma in leather or similar experience in leather industry desirable.
• Profound product and material knowledge in high end brands products with good fashion sense
• Good working knowledge in in leather and leather products - accessories and apparel .
• Knowledgeable in development processes with strong hold on follow up , cost , TNA and best practices
• High adaptability and flexibility to changing business environments, able to work independently.
• Detail-oriented and able to handle very structured process.
• Good PC skill, especially in Excel , Excel analysis, familiar with multiple systems, charts and reports.
• Strong interpersonal skills, communication skills and problem-solving skills.
• Fluency in both spoken and written English.
• Candidates to have /with multiple brands, calendars & product categories exposure.