Global Sourcing Manager

Big Lots; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Big Lots is seeking a seasoned Global Sourcing professional to lead direct sourcing of vendors across countries. You will manage the import process from definition to shipment, develop sourcing direction with Merchants, and oversee Agents’ sourcing activities and follow-up.

You will negotiate prices, manage trips for vendor development, and ensure compliance with company procedures. Strong communication and Excel/Word mastery are essential.

Qualifications

• College degree and at least five years of retail buying or sourcing experience.
• Experience in complex merchandise categories with high sales volume.
• Product development experience preferred.
• Excellent negotiation and marketing skills.
• Strong interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong PC skills; proficient in Excel and Word.

Responsibilities

• Define import opportunities with Merchants by category and style.
• Create sourcing direction for items and classifications.
• Negotiate prices and terms with vendors; support merchant negotiations.
• Manage Agents and overseas trips, costing, specs, and quotes.
• Oversee POs, factory certification, testing, production, inspection, QA issues.
• Arrange travel to countries and trade shows for sourcing.
• Ensure all import processes and procedures are followed.
• Participate in comparative shops for product categories.

Skills

Negotiation

Communication

Travel readiness

Organization

Education

College degree

Tools

Excel

Word

Job description

Job Overview

Responsible for the direct sourcing of both new and existing vendors, businesses and countries. Manages the entire import process from the definition of product sourcing direction until the merchandise is shipped. Develops product sourcing direction and goals working with the Company’s Merchants, communicates sourcing direction to overseas organizations (Agents) and manages the Agent’s sourcing process and follow‑up.

Responsibilities

• Works with Merchants to ensure a clear understanding of the merchandise strategies and define import opportunities by classification and by style.
• Creates sourcing direction for items and classifications based on Merchant direction.
• Negotiates prices and terms with vendors based on merchant direction. May negotiate directly with the vendors through direction given to the Agents or in support of merchant negotiations.
• Manages Agents in the planning and execution of overseas trips, development of new resources and finalization of costing, specs and final Quote Sheet. Ensures the Agents are following the defined processes and procedures of Global Sourcing.
• Manages all aspects of work in progress, including purchase order confirmation, factory certification, testing, pre‑ticketing, confirmation of production, inspection, resolution of quality assurance issues, booking and shipment. Ensures company defined timelines are met.
• Travels to various countries to work with the Merchants and Agents on vendor selection and product development and selection.
• Travels to domestic and foreign trade shows to work with Merchants to better understand the product category and to source deals with foreign vendors.
• Insures all import processes and procedures are followed.
• Participates in comparative shops for product categories.

Qualifications

• College degree and minimum of five years of retail buying experience or sourcing experience required at the Buyer level.
• Experience in buying or sourcing complex merchandise categories and categories with large sales volume required.
• Product Development experience preferred.
• Excellent negotiation and marketing skills required.
• Strong interpersonal, verbal and written communication and organization skills required.
• Strong PC and Microsoft Office skills, with proficiency in Excel and Word, required.
• Ability to travel internationally for up to 12 weeks during the year required.

EEO Statement

We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws.