Associate Sourcing Manager - West Elm

West Elm; New York (NY); On-site; USD 75,000 - 82,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Brand discount

401(k) plan

Paid vacations

Health insurance

Commuter benefits

Wellness program

Job summary

West Elm is seeking an Associate Sourcing Manager for its Dumbo, Brooklyn office, four days per week. You will help develop and implement short‑ and long‑term sourcing strategies, identify new supplier markets, and collaborate with design and overseas teams to ensure quality and timely delivery. The role requires offshore sourcing experience and travel.

The position offers competitive pay and benefits, with a focus on cost optimization and supplier risk management across product categories.

Qualifications

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

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with design teams and overseas offices/suppliers to execute designs, ensure quality, on-time delivery, and profitability.
• Develop and implement sourcing strategies for assigned categories and source regions.
• Partner with design during development to identify source markets and suppliers for materials and products.
• Manage sourcing processes to deliver products on time, meeting design, quality, and value goals.
• Troubleshoot seasonal product issues related to development.
• Coordinate with overseas offices and suppliers on new developments and QA, engineering, testing, inspections, packaging, and inventory.

Skills

Sourcing markets knowledge

Supply chain collaboration

Education

BA/BS

Tools

PLM system

Job description

Job Description

As an Associate Sourcing Manager, you will assist in the development and implementation of sourcing strategies, both short‑term (seasonal/annual) and long‑term (3‑5 years), 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, four days per 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), and understand the global landscape and opportunities.
• Implement a product sourcing strategy in the assigned category(s) appropriate for each source region, considering: 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, meeting the design, quality, and value mission. This includes: Vendor research and development (capabilities, capacity, and growth plans); Material research and development; Comparative studies of 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 development.
• Focus efforts on the management of core and top seasonal investments.
• Update and maintain accurate product information via our PLM (Product Life Cycle Management) system.
• Partner with overseas offices and suppliers in managing the assigned category(s) and coordinate with all support areas on new developments: QA, engineering, testing, inspections, packaging, and inventory.
• Maintain close working partnership with buyers, design, and inventory teams.
• Coordinate 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.

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, 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.

Additional Compensation and 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.

Legal Information

WSI will not now or in the future commence an immigration case or sponsor an individual for this position (e.g., H‑1B or other employment-based immigration). This role is not eligible for relocation assistance. The expected starting pay range for this position is $75,000 – $82,000. 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 such as benefits, paid time off, merit, and bonus opportunities.