Associate Sourcing Manager, Fabric Development - West Elm

West Elm; New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 78,000 - 92,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous discount on WSI brands

401(k) plan

Paid vacations and holidays

Health benefits, dental and vision

Tax-free commuter benefits

Wellness program

Job summary

Williams-Sonoma, Inc. in Brooklyn, NY, is seeking an Associate Sourcing Manager to help develop and implement seasonal and long-term sourcing strategies for its product categories.

This role will partner with design teams and overseas offices to identify source markets and suppliers, manage vendor research and development, and ensure on-time delivery and quality while maximizing profitability. The position is based in Dumbo, Brooklyn, with a 4x/week office presence.

Qualifications

• 4+ years of college education (BA/BS).
• Minimum 2-year experience in offshore sourcing, buying/merchandising in a retail or manufacturing organization
• Strong knowledge of sourcing markets
• Travel required

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the design team and overseas offices/suppliers in assigned category(s) to:
• Execute creative designs
• Ensure product quality
• Meet on‑time delivery
• Support speed to market
• Maximize profitability
• Minimize risk, e.g., diversifying country and supplier placement
• Understand the global landscape and opportunities
• Partner with the design team during the development process to identify source markets and suppliers for requested materials, finishes, and products in the assigned product category(s).
• Manage sourcing processes and procedures in the assigned category(s) to successfully execute and deliver WSI products on time, which meet the design, quality, and value mission.
• Troubleshoot seasonal product issues related to the development
• Focus efforts on the management of core and top seasonal investments
• Update and maintain accurate product information via our PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) system
• Partners with overseas offices and suppliers in managing the assigned category(s).
• A close working partnership with buyers, design, and inventory.
• Coordinates with all support areas on new developments: QA, Engineering, Testing, Inspections, Packaging, and Inventory.
• Close coordination with overseas offices, suppliers, and service providers.

Skills

Strong knowledge of sourcing markets

Travel required

Education

BA/BS

Job description

About the Role

As an Associate Sourcing Manager, you will assist in the development and implementation of sourcing strategies, both short (seasonal/annual) and long term (3-5yrs) for the assigned product category(s). You will research, identify and develop production sourcing markets and suppliers that meet the product supply requirements of the assigned categories.

Job Description

About the Role

As an Associate Sourcing Manager, you will assist in the development and implementation of sourcing strategies, both short (seasonal/annual) and long term (3-5yrs) for the assigned product category(s). You will research, identify and develop production sourcing markets and suppliers that meet the product supply requirements of the assigned categories.

This role is in the Dumbo Brooklyn office 4x/week.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the design team and overseas offices/suppliers in assigned category(s) to:
• Execute creative designs
• Ensure product quality
• Meet on‑time delivery
• Support speed to market
• Maximize profitability
• Minimize risk, e.g., diversifying country and supplier placement
• Understand the global landscape and opportunities
• Implement a product sourcing strategy in the assigned category(s) appropriate for each source region considering such factors as:
• Country competencies
• Supplier capabilities, capacities, and growth plans
• Country and vendor risk
• Partner with the design team during the development process to identify source markets and suppliers for requested materials, finishes, and products in the assigned product category(s).
• Manage sourcing processes and procedures in the assigned category(s) to successfully execute and deliver WSI products on time, which meet the design, quality, and value mission. This should include the following:
• Vendor Research and Development - Capabilities, capacity, and growth plans
• Material Research and Development
• Comparative Studies - Products, costs, and risk
• Cost Negotiations based on parameters from merchandising
• Production placement and reservations - (based on information from planning and merchandising)
• Troubleshoot seasonal product issues related to the development
• Focus efforts on the management of core and top seasonal investments
• Update and maintain accurate product information via our PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) system
• Partners with overseas offices and suppliers in managing the assigned category(s).
• A close working partnership with buyers, design, and inventory.
• Coordinates with all support areas on new developments: QA, Engineering, Testing, Inspections, Packaging, and Inventory.
• Close coordination with overseas offices, suppliers, and service providers.

Criteria

• 4+ years of college education (BA/BS)
• Minimum 2-year experience in offshore sourcing, buying/merchandising in a retail or manufacturing organization
• Strong knowledge of sourcing markets
• Travel required

Our Culture & Values

We believe that taking care of our people is vital to our success and we strive to offer equitable and transparent practices for all. We prioritize connection, growth, and wellbeing.

People First

Putting People First means investing in overall well‑being and opportunities to grow and advance within the organization. Depending on the position and location, here are a few highlights of what benefits may be available:

Benefits

• A generous discount on all WSI brands
• A 401(k) plan and other investment opportunities
• Paid vacations, holidays, and time off to volunteer
• Health benefits, dental and vision insurance, including same‑sex domestic partner benefits
• Tax‑free commuter benefits
• A wellness program that supports your physical, financial and emotional health

Continued Learning

• In‑person and online learning opportunities through WSI University
• Cross‑brand and cross‑function career opportunities
• Resources for self‑development
• Advisor (Mentor) program
• Career development workshops, learning programs, and speaker series

WSI will not now or in the future commence an immigration case or "sponsor" an individual for this position (for example, H-1B or other employment‑based immigration).

This role is not eligible for relocation assistance.

The expected starting pay range for this position is $78,000 - $92,000. Applicable pay ranges may differ across markets. Actual pay will be determined based on experience and other job‑related factors permitted by law. In addition to competitive pay, compensation may include a variety of other components like benefits, paid time off, merit, and bonus opportunities.

About Us

Our Company

Founded in 1956, Williams‑Sonoma, Inc. is the premier specialty retailer of high‑quality products for the kitchen and home in the United States. Our family of brands are Williams Sonoma, Williams Sonoma Home, Pottery Barn, Pottery Barn Kids, Pottery Barn Teen, Rejuvenation, West Elm, Mark & Graham, Outward, and GreenRow. These brands are among the best known and most respected in the industry. We offer beautifully‑designed, stylish and functional products for every area of the home, including the kitchen, living room, bedroom, home office, closet, laundry room and even outdoor spaces. We’ve seen some big changes since our first brick‑and‑mortar store opened more than half of a century ago. What hasn’t changed is our passion for high‑quality products, functional design, outstanding customer service, and enhancing the lives of our customers and the communities where we operate. Today we’re a multi‑brand, multi‑channel, global enterprise supported by state‑of‑the‑art technology and some of the most talented teams in retailing - and we are always looking for new energy and ideas.