Sourcing Specialist - Fashion

Findojobs South Africa; Wes-Kaap; On-site; ZAR 200,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment firm in Cape Town seeks a professional to enhance Sourcing and Supplier Strategy in the clothing industry. Candidates with over 8 years of retail experience and a relevant degree are preferred. This role involves supplier negotiations, managing multiple seasons, and ensuring compliance with sustainability standards. The ideal candidate will also possess strong project management skills and the ability to travel locally and internationally.

Qualifications

• 8 years or more Buying/Sourcing/Technical retail experience in a Clothing environment.
• Proven experience in Supplier negotiations.
• Ability to travel both locally and internationally.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the development of the Sourcing and Supplier Strategy.
• Lead end-to-end Supplier onboarding, engagement, and communication processes.
• Conduct product costings based on Tech Pack inputs from Technical Product Development.

Skills

Supplier negotiations

Supplier management

Project Management

Capacity Planning

Communication

Understanding of Imports and Supply Chain Logistics

Education

Relevant business degree/diploma in Textiles, Fashion, Clothing product management

Job description

Job category: Other: FMCG, Retail, Wholesale and Supply Chain

Location: Cape Town

Contract: Permanent

EE position: No

Introduction

Contribute towards the development of Sourcing and Supplier Strategy. Identify appropriate factories/suppliers/regions and manage the sourcing of product options aligned to the sourcing and product strategies.

Key Responsibilities

Contribute to the development of the Sourcing and Supplier Strategy

• Analyse and review Supplier performance scorecards (quality, OTIF, innovation and sustainability)
• Review trends on Supplier delivery to financial KPI’s
• Identify opportunities for new Suppliers to close Supplier gaps / risks
• Consolidate inputs from Heads of Planning, Buying and Design on Product Category Strategy
• Identify Suppliers that meet the Business Innovation and Sustainability targets

Conduct Supplier Engagement, Communication and Performance Management

• Lead end-to-end Supplier onboarding, engagement, and communication processes
• Create and issue requests for samples (only for Concept and Development Samples before costs are confirmed, and for In-Season Trade / Trend Updates)
• Mitigate any issues that may arise on the request and receipt of physical samples
• Conduct Supplier Performance conversations, identify performance issues and implement corrective actions
• Evaluate Supplier compliance with sustainability and ethics standards

Conduct Costing and Supplier Negotiation

• Conduct product costings based on Tech Pack inputs from Technical Product Development
• Ensure an in-depth understanding of the Product aesthetic and technical requirements
• Manage Requests for Quote
• Conduct Supplier negotiations to ensure the achievement of required financial KPIs – partner up with Buying on new Product Concepts / Volume Inputs
• Finalise cost, obtain approval on quotes and handover Formula / Development Style with Preferred Quote to Buying

Perform Capacity Planning and Management throughout the Season

• Consolidate the required inputs from Planning
• Perform Capacity Planning and ensure that volume flows and drops are successfully communicated with Suppliers
• Continuously engage with Suppliers, track shipment and ensure that adjustments and updates are executed during trade

Manage Strategy Execution and Issue Resolution

• Implement and manage Seasonal Trading Plans in conjunction with Planning and Buying, and work with Suppliers to revise and update production plans
• Monitor Supplier Strategy Execution, identify deviations from strategy, address issues with Supplier, Planning and Buying Teams
• Oversee order management and product tracking, promptly communicating changes or delays to Group Planning and Buying Teams to achieve On-Time-In-Full (OTIF) targets
• Participate in relevant Trade Meetings to gain insights into trading actions that need to be executed
• 8 years or more Buying/Sourcing/Technical retail experience in a Clothing environment and/or
• Relevant business degree / diploma in Textiles, Fashion, Clothing product management
• Understanding of the International and South African clothing industry
• Proven experience in Supplier negotiations
• Ability to travel both locally and internationally
• Supplier Management & Understanding of Imports and Supply Chain Logistics
• Project Management (running multiple seasons, priorities, WMC, Critical Path)