Manager, Sourcing

Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution; United States; On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Disney Media & Entertainment Distribution seeks a Manager of Global Merchandise Sourcing to lead multi-category sourcing strategies and drive end-to-end product development from design to production. You will manage complex timelines, align cross-functional teams, and negotiate costs to meet profitability and brand standards.

The role emphasizes cross-cultural collaboration, supplier relationships, and global market knowledge, with travel to evaluate opportunities and expand supplier networks.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• 10+ years global sourcing and product development experience.
• 3-5 years people-management experience.
• Experience in project management.

Responsibilities

• Develops and executes short- and long-term sourcing strategies for multiple categories.
• Drives end-to-end project management across the product lifecycle from concept to production.
• Manages timelines, milestones and cross-functional reviews to ensure on-time delivery and profitability.
• Leverages cross-category tools and processes to optimize performance and reduce risk.
• Partners with Design and QA to ensure manufacturability and quality; supports data-driven decisions.

Skills

Project management

Product lifecycle

Design to production

Negotiation

Communication

Cross-cultural collaboration

Data analysis

English & Mandarin

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

Microcharts

Job description

Manager, Global Merchandise Sourcing

The Manager, Global Merchandise Sourcing is responsible for managing multiple merchandise categories and supporting the Senior Manager. The role will develop and execute short‑ and long‑term sourcing strategies, drive factory relationships, conduct initial cost negotiations, follow up on production, and be accountable for all strategic details and decisions of all categories. The role also requires strong project‑management capabilities to drive cross‑functional alignment, manage complex timelines, and ensure on‑time delivery across multiple concurrent initiatives. Additionally, the Manager must demonstrate deep product development expertise, translating design intent into commercially viable and scalable products throughout the product lifecycle.

Essential Functions

• Facilitates short‑ and long‑term sourcing strategies for managed categories, setting priorities, objectives, and action plans to improve supply base and mitigate risk with measurable accountability.
• Drives end‑to‑end project management across the product lifecycle, from concept to production. Seeks new ideas, techniques, and materials to drive product innovation.
• Develops and manages timelines and critical paths. Leads cross‑functional milestone reviews. Manages the development process, supporting on‑time delivery and driving profitability while maintaining design vision. Negotiates costing and proposes value‑engineering options to achieve profitability goals while ensuring product vision is achieved.
• Identifies opportunities to leverage cross‑category tools, information, processes and resources to optimize category performance.
• Partners with Design and QA to ensure manufacturability and quality. Transforms data into information and collaborates with Quality Assurance team on root cause/corrective action.
• Drives production tracking and issue resolution, communicating and troubleshooting exceptions and delays. Ensures on‑time delivery through proactive issue management.
• Inspires and motivates peers and direct reports.
• Proactively drives measurable efficiencies of team communications, tasks, and overall workflow to support continuous improvement.
• Travels domestically and internationally to evaluate viability of market opportunities, build factory and supplier relationships, and continuously expand product knowledge/expertise. Be the expert in all key sourcing regions.
• Understands market behavior and suggests strategy options to mitigate risk, protect the Disney brand, and achieve competitive advantage.
• Develops and maintains a stable and socially compliant supply base that meets ILS MCS, regulatory standards, and other established supplier performance requirements.
• Proactively addresses issues with timely and high‑caliber communication and actions.
• Explores new suppliers while conducting relevant capability and capacity assessments as well as facilitating the onboarding process and nurturing of new suppliers.

Core Skills

• Strong project management and critical path experience.
• Experience managing multi‑phase product development.
• Deep understanding of product lifecycle.
• Ability to translate design into production execution.
• Strong knowledge of product‑specific construction standards, materials, and manufacturing processes/techniques.
• Outstanding negotiation skills.
• Demonstrated ability to balance conflicting priorities between creative design and cost of goods objectives.
• Proficient in English and Mandarin or native dialects where applicable.
• Outstanding written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong analytical and strategy‑formation skills.
• Ability to influence internal stakeholders and drive efficient decision‑making.
• Understanding of macro‑economic pressures and variables that influence global sourcing decisions.
• Experience in merchandise sourcing and production management.
• Strong computer skills (e.g., Excel, PowerPoint, Microcharts, etc.).
• Ability to work on multiple projects within specified time frames.
• Demonstrated ability to work in a multi‑cultural environment.
• Understanding of China testing, safety, and labeling requirements and impact to product design and manufacturing processes.
• Understanding of free‑trade agreements, duties and resulting impact of sourcing strategies.

Desired Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree.
• 10+ years global sourcing experience and product development experience.
• 3‑5 years of people‑management experience.
• Experience in project management.