AS Beauty is one of the fastest-growing cosmetic companies in the market today. We are a family-run business based in New York, NY, focused on developing global beauty brands that deliver real-world solutions to a diverse consumer base. AS Beauty’s portfolio includes renowned brands Laura Geller Beauty, Bliss, and Julep Beauty. We are continually developing products that are innovative, effective, and ensure that our customers feel beautiful inside and out.
About the Role
The Director, Sourcing is responsible for the end-to-end sourcing and costing strategy across AS Beauty’s brand portfolio, from initial product concept through production. This role owns COGS management for new product launches and existing SKU updates, partnering closely with Product Development, Sales, Integrated Marketing, and Finance to ensure products entering the pipeline are commercially viable and positioned to achieve target margins.
As the primary negotiator and relationship owner for domestic and international manufacturing partners, the Director, Sourcing leads negotiations across unit costs, MOQs, tooling and mold fees, packaging, and other key cost drivers. These individual balances cost efficiency with product quality, speed to market, brand standards, and vendor reliability.
The Director, Sourcing works cross-functionally to validate pricing feasibility throughout the development process—from initial brief and sampling through final production—and is accountable for the accuracy, timeliness, and organization of pricing documentation, cost comparisons/BFAs, and sourcing trackers.
Beyond day-to-day costing, this role serves as a strategic sourcing leader, identifying and onboarding best-in-class suppliers, developing long-term vendor partnerships, and continuously evaluating the global supply chain for cost savings, innovation, improved capabilities, and operational efficiencies.
Key Responsibilities
- Own sourcing strategy and costing accuracy for new product launches and existing product updates across the AS Beauty brand portfolio.
- Lead sourcing initiatives across color cosmetics, skincare, bath & body, accessories, packaging, and components.
- Lead negotiations with domestic and international manufacturing partners on unit costs, MOQs, tooling and mold fees, payment terms, and other commercial terms.
- Source primary and secondary packaging across product categories, identifying solutions that meet cost, quality, functionality, aesthetic, and timing requirements.
- Prepare and present detailed cost comparisons and BFAs, including packaging, component, product, and final landed costs, to guide sourcing and vendor-selection decisions.
- Identify, evaluate, negotiate with, and onboard new formulation, packaging, component, and finished-goods suppliers globally.
- Build and maintain strategic, long-term relationships with key manufacturing and vendor partners.
- Proactively identify cost-saving and value-engineering opportunities across formulas, packaging, components, and manufacturing without compromising product quality or brand standards.
- Partner closely with Product Development, Sales, Integrated Marketing, and Finance to validate pricing and margin feasibility from initial brief through sampling, commercialization, and production.
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date pricing trackers, sourcing documentation, cost approvals, and vendor records.
- Monitor market and commodity trends, including resin, glass, aluminum, freight, and labor, and proactively identify potential risks to COGS and margin.
- Negotiate and manage vendor contracts and commercial agreements.
- Evaluate vendor performance across cost, quality, service, lead times, capacity, and reliability, managing escalations and corrective actions as needed.
- Lead, manage, and develop the sourcing/packaging team, establishing clear priorities and ensuring accountability across sourcing initiatives.
- Partner closely with and mentor the Project Manager to ensure sourcing, development, and production milestones are achieved across multiple concurrent product launches.
- Support quarterly and annual cost reviews, margin analysis, and reforecasting in partnership with Finance.
- Continuously assess the supplier network for opportunities to improve cost, quality, innovation, capacity, speed to market, and supply-chain resilience.
Qualifications
- 10+ years of progressive experience in sourcing, production, procurement, or supply chain management within the beauty, cosmetics, or personal care industry.
- Demonstrated sourcing experience across color cosmetics, skincare, bath & body, accessories, and packaging.
- Strong experience sourcing primary and secondary packaging, components, and finished goods across domestic and international markets.
- Deep expertise in cost negotiation, pricing strategy, COGS management, and margin optimization.
- Established relationships with domestic and international manufacturing partners, particularly suppliers and manufacturers throughout Asia.
- Strong understanding of beauty and cosmetic costing structures, including FOB and landed costs, freight and duties, tooling amortization, and MOQ economics.
- Proven experience negotiating tooling and mold agreements for custom packaging and new product development.
- Demonstrated experience leading, managing, and developing a team.
- Exceptional cross-functional collaboration, negotiation, and vendor-management skills.
- Proven ability to manage multiple concurrent product launches and sourcing initiatives in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
- Strong analytical skills and advanced proficiency in Excel, with experience building and maintaining detailed costing models and pricing trackers.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate sourcing recommendations and cost strategies to senior leadership.
- Willingness to travel domestically and internationally for factory visits, vendor meetings, trade shows, and supplier development.
Preferred Qualifications
- Strong knowledge of cosmetic manufacturing processes and relevant regulatory and quality requirements, including FDA, MoCRA, ISO, and GMP.
- Understanding of packaging materials, component engineering, decoration techniques, tooling, and manufacturing processes.
- Experience working with ERP, PLM, or other product-development/supply-chain management systems.
- Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Operations, or a related field.
- Mandarin language skills are a plus.
Department: Product Development + Sourcing
Reporting-to Title: VP Product Development & Sourcing