This role is responsible for executing global strategic sourcing strategies, as well as driving product vision to commercialization. Sourcing is accountable to successfully implement our brand portfolios aesthetic, quality, cost, margin, and on-time delivery to maintain and elevate our high product standards.

 

The Sourcing Manager - Boots collaborates with our extended Vendor Partner Community. This position drives key sourcing metrics, including cost negotiations throughout the entire product development process, ensuring the delivery of high-quality products, and guaranteeing on-time delivery. A working knowledge of strategic global sourcing is essential, encompassing both direct-to-factory and agent relationships, all while balancing vendor and Country of Origin (COO) strategies. This role requires strong internal partnerships with critical cross-functional departments, including Buying, Planning, Design, Product Development, and Technical Design.

 

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Vendor Allocation: Strategically allocate development and production orders to optimize capacity, capability, cost-effectiveness, quality, and on-time delivery. 10%

Sourcing Risk Management: Proactively identify, assess, and mitigate potential risks throughout the sourcing and supply chain lifecycle. 4%

Sourcing Time + Action (T&A) Management: Manage and execute the Time & Action calendar for orders through shipment ensuring adherence to deadlines for order placement and production milestones. 10%

Vendor Relationship Management: Cultivate strong, collaborative relationships with the global network of vendors. Serve as the primary point of contact for all vendor communications, fostering partnerships that drive continuous improvement in both quality and efficiency. 10%

Cost Negotiations and Cross-Costing: Lead comprehensive cost negotiations with vendors to secure the most competitive pricing without compromising quality, ethical standards, or delivery timelines. Conduct thorough cross-costing analyses across multiple vendors, regions, and material options to identify opportunities for significant cost savings and ensure optimal value for the company. 25%

Target Margins Actualization: Proactively manage and monitor all product costs throughout the development and production lifecycle to ensure the consistent actualization of target margins. Implement strategic cost-saving initiatives and identify areas for expense optimization while maintaining product integrity and quality standards. 10%

Vendor Forecast Management: Ensure vendors receive timely and precise visibility into demand to optimize their production, raw material procurement, and capacity allocation. 8%

Travel to Mills & Vendors (As Required) 2%

Vendor Scorecard Management: Maintain a vendor scorecard document to track and evaluate vendor performance across key metrics such as quality, on-time delivery, compliance, and responsiveness. Use data from scorecards to drive vendor improvement initiatives and strategic decision-making. 2%

Execute Vendor and Mill Country of Origin Strategy: Implement and manage the company's strategic approach to vendor and mill country of origin to balance country penetration and minimize risk. 6%

New Vendor Onboarding: Ensure new vendors meet company standards and agree to all requirements as it relates to quality, ethical practices, and operational efficiency. 4%

Raw Material Rationalization: Drive initiatives to optimize raw material sourcing, identifying opportunities for consolidation, cost savings, and improved utilization without compromising product quality or design. 5%

Attend Weekly Cross-Functional Team (CFT) Meetings: Actively participate in weekly Cross-Functional Team meetings to provide updates on sourcing activities, address challenges, and collaborate with design, product development, and buying teams to ensure alignment and efficient execution. 4%

Demonstrates an elevated level of quality work, attendance, and appearance

Demonstrates a high degree of professionalism in communication, attitude and teamwork with customers, peers, and management

Adhere to all local, federal, and state laws in addition to Company policies, procedures, and practices.

Perform any other duties that may be assigned by management

•      Bachelor’s degree in business, Supply Chain Management, Textiles, or related field (or equivalent years of direct work experience)

•      10+ years of experience with global apparel sourcing with demonstrated success in managing complex vendor networks, countries of origin, and in region travel experience EMEA, APAC, LATAM, NA a plus

•      Knowledge and working experience with category-specific sourcing (boots)

•      Proven ability to manage full product lifecycle from Concept to PO placement with a focus on cost engineering

•      Strong negotiation skills with a track record of achieving cost savings without compromising product quality or timelines

•      Proficient with PLM, Microsoft Office Suite, and Excel

•      Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret forecasts + cost data 

•      Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast paced, deadline driven environment

•      Ability to travel internationally for up to 14 days at a time in multiple countries of origin, up to 35% of the year

•      Strong communication, customer service, time management and organizational skills

•      Strong leadership skills

•      Ability to manage and develop talent

 

·       Customer Centric/Product Driven– Is attentive to our customers and understands our brand/product quality requirements

·       Offers product options that are aligned with our brand ethos and design intent/direction

·       Continually searches for ways to partner and work in a transparent manner with multiple divisions

·       Ensure Effective Communication - Listens carefully and attentively to others' opinions and ideas

·       Communicates information clearly, concisely, and professionally

·       Establish Trust - Follows through on commitments. Is honest and direct with others. Promotes a culture of respect for, commitment to, and compliance with Company values, beliefs, and standards. Ensures the protection of confidential information.

In general, the following physical demands are representative of those that must be met by a Partner to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to allow differently abled individuals to perform the essential functions of the job.

·       Standing, walking and squatting less than 50% of the work shift

·       Required to lift, move and carry up to 40 pounds

·       Ability to read, count and write to accurately complete all documentation and reports

·       Must be able to see, hear and speak in order to communicate with partners and vendors

·       Specific vision abilities include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus

·       Manual dexterity required using hands to finger; handle, feel and type; reach with hands and arms.

[    ] Sedentary: Limited activity, no lifting, limited walking

[ X ] Light: Office work, some lifting, bending, stooping or kneeling, walking

[    ] Moderate: Mostly standing, walking, bending, frequent lifting

[    ] Arduous: Heavy lifting, bending, crawling, climbing

 

In general, the following conditions of the work environment are representative of those that a Partner encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.  Reasonable accommodations may be made to allow differently abled individuals to perform the essential functions of the job within the environment.

·       The workspace is clean, orderly, properly lit and ventilated with proper safety compliance.

·       Noise levels are considered moderate