ASSOCIATE SOURCING MANAGER - Women's Knits & Strategic Sourcing

Kohl's; Menomonee Falls (WI); On-site; USD 95,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Kohl’s is seeking a strategic Sourcing Specialist to own day-to-day sourcing execution for assigned categories. This role leads seasonal costing events, vendor negotiations, and cross-functional collaboration to meet cost, quality, and supply goals.

You will guide supplier strategy, evaluate performance, and support capability development across teams. Strong analytics and partner alignment are essential for ongoing success.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field is preferred.
• 3+ years of experience in retail, production, sourcing, or supply chain.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work across teams and international partners.

Responsibilities

• Own data analysis and translate insights into sourcing Strategy recommendations.
• Lead costing events, negotiations, and vendor management for assigned categories or brands.
• Evaluate supplier performance to inform vendor selection and program awards.
• Collaborate with Production, Materials, and Design to execute sourcing strategies.
• Provide guidance to Sourcing Coordinators to ensure high-quality execution.
• Serve as SME for assigned vendors, understanding performance, forecasts, and capabilities.
• Translate cost analyses into negotiation strategies and optimization opportunities.
• Develop analyses, data visuals, and leadership-ready recommendations.

Skills

Office Suite

Excel Pivot Tables

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Sourcing/Business/Supply Chain

Job description

About the Role

In this role, you will own day-to-day sourcing execution for assigned categories or brands. This role leads seasonal costing and vendor-management activities, converts analysis into recommendations, and partners across functions to deliver cost, quality, speed, and supply-continuity objectives.

What You’ll Do

• Lead data analysis and translate insights into recommendations that inform sourcing strategy, vendor negotiations, cost optimization, country of production mix, and seasonal costing events
• Manage strategy execution for assigned product categories or brands, lead structured costing events, seasonal negotiations, and ongoing business execution
• Support vendor strategy execution by evaluating supplier performance - inform vendor selection, program awards, and country of production allocation
• Drive cross-functional partnership with Production, Materials, and Design to execute sourcing strategies and resolve business challenges
• Provide guidance and coaching to Sourcing Coordinators, supporting capability development and high-quality execution
• Serve as the subject-matter expert and day-to-day strategy support for assigned vendor(s), maintaining a comprehensive understanding of their business performance, forecasts, capabilities, and strategic intent
• Drive cost exercises for current and future business opportunities translating cost analysis into negotiation strategies and optimization opportunities
• Develop and present analyses, data visualizations, and recommendations for leadership reviews and strategic decisions
• Support defined strategic sourcing projects and new initiatives that support business objectives
• Drive document best practices, the development of training resources, and continuously improve costing tools and processes
• Additional tasks may be assigned

Addendum - Strategic Sourcing

• Execute organization and project management for strategic sourcing initiatives
• Coordinate executive travel and Board of Directors sourcing content
• Support internal and external project reviews and follow-up actions
• Execute necessary analysis to vet, assess, and onboard new factory partners
• Provide data and analysis on vendors, countries of production, programs, and factory penetration
• Provide guidance and coaching to Strategic Sourcing Analyst, supporting capability development and high-quality execution

What Skills You Have

Required

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and Google Workspace
• Strong Microsoft Excel skills, including pivot tables and data analysis

Preferred

• Bachelor’s degree in Sourcing, Textiles, Business, Supply Chain, or a closely related field preferred
• 3+ years of experience in retail, production, sourcing, supply chain management, or a related field
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple priorities and support sourcing initiatives from concept through production
• Ability to work effectively across teams, vendors, and international partners
• Willingness and ability to travel as business needs require

This role is based at our Corporate Office in Menomonee Falls, WI. You’ll work onsite from Monday through Thursday, with the option to work remotely on Fridays.