Sr. Sourcing Manager

Job Description

We invite you to be part of our team of trailblazers dedicated to helping people discover and enjoy the outside. Come join us. Because on the inside we’re all outsiders. And if it’s outside, we’re all in.

We are seeking a resourceful strategic leader to oversee our team and promote an environment of strong collaboration and engagement. This role will establish relationships by building trust with internal and external stakeholders and developing and executing strategies to meet business outcomes. This is a great opportunity for a strong leader who has the ability to travel and is eager to learn the critical responsibilities of the Sr. Manager of Sourcing.

Position Purpose

Works with Director/VP in setting the vision, leading change, and is responsible for a wide breadth and depth of Sourcing activities related to multiple assigned product group/categories and vendors. Directs the Sourcing Managers and processes in supporting corporate goals as they relate to service, quality, and profitability for assigned product categories. Creates successful vendor performance management partnerships, while continuously improving relationships through direct communication and feedback.  Provides responsible monitoring and feedback related to L.L.Bean’s social responsibility requirements and contributes to successful business outcomes working collaboratively with business partners. The Senior Manager Sourcing functions at a highly autonomous level with a significant impact to the business

Responsibilities

Leadership

Oversees department of Sourcing Managers
Engage in proactive talent development and succession planning within Sourcing department. Anticipate, help identify and drive changes within the work team and across the organization. Create a high-performance culture and effectively lead teams thru uncertainty.
Actively coaches’ others to improve their performance.
Develops strategies and oversees tactical work while balancing short term needs & long term results.
Demonstrate strong leadership presence in translating the department’s vision into actionable goals and communicate the strategy and accountabilities necessary to achieve the goals.
Consults at many levels, leading cross functional communication and driving decision support.
Invites different perspectives as a means of input to problem solving.
Sourcing:

Responsible for Sourcing Management oversight of assigned product group/categories and vendors.
Work with Product Development pre-season to review line assortments and determine sourcing requirements.
Work in close collaboration with Product Development/Merchandising, Production Planning, Supply Chain, Distribution, and other cross functional partners, contributing to an environment of shared success.  Lead and assume responsibility for the Sourcing Plan and Timeline development and management.
Understand risks/benefits associated action plans and execute as necessary to address changes in business situations.
Develop, implement, and manage sourcing strategies and programs.
Identify and assess risks/benefits of the geographic, economic, political stability and infrastructure (logistics, territories trade laws/opportunities, duty, exchange rates) of the region. Develop and implement recommendations and alternatives as required to cover weaknesses in assessment.
Assess risks/benefits of how L.L.Bean is sourced on core programs. Develop position back-ups or dual vendors where appropriate.
Stay informed of how L.L.Bean is positioned for growth, acquisitions etc. and develop forward looking sourcing solutions that will best support growth of the company.
Participate in and lead multifunctional project teams to select world class suppliers.
Represent Sourcing on corporate projects and teams.
Negotiate production lead-time, production minimum and under minimum surcharge.
Work with risk management and legal counsel to minimize risk to L.L.Bean with regards to the Master Vendor Agreement (MVA) and product recall issues.
Product Costing:

Responsible for product costing including flash costing and vendor cost negotiation.
Collaborate with Merchandising, Product Creation, and Merch Financial Planning, to meet category IPM goals.
Identify, benchmark, and evaluate industry trends, technologies, approaches that are applicable to Sourcing at L.L.Bean.  Recommend and implement changes based on findings.
Oversee and negotiate Terms of Sales.   Negotiate payment terms.
Maintain Product Costing System accuracy and resolve information discrepancies.
Vendor Performance Management:

Responsible for working with vendors directly for the quality management of assigned product group/categories.
Assume accountability for the vendor’s adherence to vendor performance management criteria.
Hold Vendor and Sourcing staff accountable for high performance expectations.
Establish action plans for non-conforming products and vendors.
Monitor and take action on on-time performance and charge issues.
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Budget Management:

Develop department budget and operate within budgetary guidelines.
Contribute to Sourcing area’s Strategic Cost Management efforts through appropriate use of operating budget dollars and responsible management of merchandise samples.
Support function:

Partner with the Global Monitoring team to provide continued vigilance and feedback to the vendors regarding legal and compliance requirements as needed.
Assist Quality Assurance team with vendor communication, implementation of quality action plans and resolving charge back issues.
Support Corporate Sustainability goals and objectives.
Others:

Perform additional related responsibilities as requested.
Health and Safety Requirement

Every employee is responsible for contributing to a safe and healthy workplace. Employees are expected to be active participants in health and safety by following all safety policies and procedures, reporting unsafe conditions or at-risk behaviors to leadership, and conducting work in a safe manner. Those in a leadership role are also expected to model safe behaviors, evaluate risk, and ensure that risks are reduced to acceptable levels.

Skills and Qualifications

BA/BS required
8+ years of relevant experience required
Strong management experience, leading teams to deliver results collaboratively
Excellent oral and written communication skills
Excellent influencing skills
Strategic thinker
Strong collaboration skills
Strong knowledge of category technology
Ability to gain expertise in Material, Quality, Inventory and Human Right issues
Ability to build strong working knowledge of manufacturing processes and facilities
High degree of business negotiation experience and skills
Ability to independently resolve complex issues/problems but seeks advice and counsel for decisions including key stakeholders where appropriate
Ability to travel and adapt to multiple countries, cultures and situations
Demonstrated ability to prioritize, manage multiple projects and meet aggressive deadlines
Ability to build proficiency in MS-Office, SAP, PTC Flex/PLM, and CLO/Digital Product Creation
 

If you care about the outdoors, joining L.L.Bean is a great way to feel good about what you do. Our benefits package makes a good thing even better, with programs and perks designed to support your health and financial goals. Plus, maintaining a healthy work-life balance and re-charging outside are all part of the plan. Because, when it comes to the outside—we’re all in. Visit llbeancareers.com to learn more.

Being outside brings out the best in us, no matter where we come from or what we believe. At L.L.Bean, we value individual differences and encourage our co-workers to be themselves – because  the uniqueness of each individual makes L.L.Bean better.