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Assistant Sourcing Manager

Job ID 10133397 Location Kissimmee, Florida, United States Business Disney Experiences Date posted Oct. 15, 2025
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Job Summary:

Assistant Sourcing Manager, Apparel - Merchandise Sourcing and Product Development

The Assistant Sourcing Manager (ASM), Apparel develops and manages partnerships with best-in-class suppliers and internal stakeholders as they pertain to the sourcing and production of best-in-category Disney-branded merchandise.  In partnership with the Associate Sourcing Manager and/or Sourcing Manager, Global Sourcing, s/he is responsible for executing Sourcing strategies across categories and/or departments.  The Assistant Sourcing Manager, Global Sourcing will develop, collaborate and produce results with regard to product quality, time/cost efficiency and revenue growth.

The Assistant Sourcing manager supports the development of the seasonal line from conception to delivery.  They work cross-functionally and are key partners to Designers, Merchants, Technical Designers, and the Regional Office in developing product to realize the global vision.  They will support the Product Design teams to ensure that all designs meet the margin goals objectives and are in alignment with the category sourcing strategy.

This person possesses the knowledge of successful global sourcing and product development strategies to drive margins and improve efficiencies across global markets and distribution channels Owned & Operated (O&O) retail and Shop-in-Shop (SIS). 

This position reports to the Sourcing Manager, Global Sourcing and Product Development.  The ASM provides support and assistance with operational and organizational functions to develop and source merchandise under the strategic guidance of the Sourcing Manager within a given department and/or sub-category of product.  This position requires some Domestic and International travel for cost negotiations, product placement and on-site factory visits.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Sourcing Strategy

  • Assist the Associate and/or Sourcing Manager in merchandise sourcing, costing and development of select product categories for O&O and SIS retail locations
  • Contribute to decisions on vendor strategy, product costing/placement, vendor communication and sample management related to assigned product categories
  • Responsible for ensuring products meet established standards for safety and quality including monitoring quarterly Product Review Requests (PRRs) with product integrity partners
  • Execute Sourcing strategies that maximize profitability and minimize risk with a goal of year-over-year improvement
  • Develops knowledge of industry to help inform Sourcing strategies, including manufacturing and category level trends for Softlines and/or Hardlines
  • Assists in seeking/vetting new opportunities, ideas, techniques and materials to drive product innovation with both new and existing Suppliers
  • Supports and executes all Sourcing initiatives, including:
  • Sustainability – achieving materials and Scope 3 emissions targets
  • Elevated product quality, including adherence to global regulatory requirements 
  • Monitor global labeling and product composition changes to ensure product consistently meet standards for the global marketplace

Cost Control and Profitability: 

  • In collaboration with the Associate and/or Sourcing Manager, evaluations macro-economic and geo-political impacts to cost– currency fluctuations, commodity rates, labor rates, trade agreements and disputes, COVID policies, environmental policies, etc.
  • Collaborate with cross-functional teams such as Merchants, Product and Technical Design to cost engineer development to meet gross margin objectives, develops product expertise to effectively recommend alternative construction, material and manufacturing
  • Evaluate quotes and placement decisions to achieve optimal costing within prescribed margin targets
  • Country of Origin (COO) Diversification:  Identify needs for new suppliers as applicable, partner with DGS and Responsible Sourcing to identify and vet potential new partners, including leading costing and sampling exercises
  • International Labor Standards (ILS) Work with TWDC Global Product & Labor Standards to ensure compliance policies are met

Innovation: 

  • Proactively seek new opportunities, ideas, techniques and materials to drive product innovation with both new and existing suppliers. Organize vendor innovation weeks to review market and manufacturing innovation on a seasonal basis
  • Monitor and track proto, line adoption, sell-in, ecommerce and commercialization samples to calendar milestone dates and all sample, fabric and CAD development tracking
  • Send out counter samples for resource and costing exercises; quarterly and when vetting new Supplier relationships
  • Product Development and Costing
  • Maintain the Development Tracking Report (DTR) for all open projects – tracking and reporting weekly on costing and sampling progress
  • Reviews and organizes samples, including initial Sourcing comments on execution, in preparation for weekly cross functional team meetings
  • Contact vendors to follow-up and verify the accuracy of provided data, resolve routines issues and ensure vendor alignment with Disney processes and procedures
  • Review and finalize final project allocation with the direction of the Associate and/or Sourcing Manager; formally communicate award decisions to Suppliers
  • Maintain all data points within Product Lifecycle Management tool (PLM)
  • Adhere to all costing and development milestones as outlined by the Product to Market (PTM) Calendar
  • Tired data inputs into PLM
  • Sample completion and approvals by Final Line Presentation
  • Follow-up with Suppliers regarding any outstanding issues, troubleshoot action plans resolve routine issues, and reinforce deadlines that Suppliers are required to achieve
  • Partner with Trade Compliance on all Supplier-related documentation and facility set-ups
  • Execute, under the direction of the Associate or Sourcing Manager, re-costing/re-development activities based on production challenges that impact item aesthetic

Productivity and Process: 

  • Tracks all samples approvals up until an approved pre-pro sample.  Accountable for monitoring progress of development and sampling against key milestone dates; communicate development and sampling status Sourcing manager and cross-functional partners
  • Assist in preparation of any ad-hoc reports as requested (time & action calendars, status updates, etc.)
  • Consult with Product Integrity to ensure standards for safety and quality in all intended sale markets, including monitoring quarterly Product Review Requests (PRRs) with product integrity partners.  Report testing concerns to Sourcing Manager and cross-functional teams
  • Attend weekly cross-functional team meetings
  • Complete data entry tasks including PLM, item setups, financial roadmaps, and invoicing

Collaboration and Communication:

  • Prepare standard any ad-hoc reports as requested (Time and Action Calendars, production timelines, status updates, etc.)
  • Build strong collaborative relationships with internal and external partners
  • Attend weekly cross-functional meetings and quarterly product line review meetings to understand key sourcing issues and action items
  • Communicate costing and development status to global and regional partners via email or team meeting updates, as well as during local weekly cross-functional meetings as required
  • Actively engage in Sourcing team organizational vibrancy, collaboration, and team activities.  Embrace diversity to advance a culture of inclusion

QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS:

  • Knowledge of Flex PLM system
  • Technical understanding of fabrics and garment manufacturing processes (where required)
  • Exposure to Sourcing & Production of multiple product categories
  • Proven track record of effectively communicating with cross-functional partners and Suppliers/Manufacturers
  • Ability to manage multiple SKU’s an timelines in a fast-paced environment
  • Ability to work collaboratively with multiple design and development partners, a team player
  • Ability and desire to be flexible, adapt to change and grow with organization
  • Schedule flexibility to accommodate global time zones

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About Disney Experiences:

Disney Experiences brings the magic of Disney stories and franchises to life through theme parks, resorts, cruise ships, unique vacation experiences, products and more around the world. Disney shines in the travel industry with six resort destinations in the United States, Europe and Asia; a top-rated cruise line; a popular vacation ownership program; and an award-winning guided family adventure business. Plus, Disney's global consumer products operations include the world's leading licensing business; the world's largest children's publishing brands; one of the world's largest licensors of games across all platforms; and Disney store locations around the world and on the web.

About The Walt Disney Company:

The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise that includes three core business segments: Disney Entertainment, ESPN, and Disney Experiences. From humble beginnings as a cartoon studio in the 1920s to its preeminent name in the entertainment industry today, Disney proudly continues its legacy of creating world-class stories and experiences for every member of the family. Disney’s stories, characters and experiences reach consumers and guests from every corner of the globe. With operations in more than 40 countries, our employees and cast members work together to create entertainment experiences that are both universally and locally cherished.

This position is with Disney Merchandise Sourcing & Dist., LLC, which is part of a business we call Disney Experiences.

Disney Merchandise Sourcing & Dist., LLC is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military or veteran status, medical condition, genetic information or disability, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law. Disney champions a business environment where ideas and decisions from all people help us grow, innovate, create the best stories and be relevant in a constantly evolving world.

DISABILITY ACCOMMODATION FOR EMPLOYMENT APPLICATIONS

The Walt Disney Company and its Affiliated Companies are Equal Employment Opportunity employers and welcome all job seekers including individuals with disabilities and veterans with disabilities. If you have a disability and believe you need a reasonable accommodation in order to search for a job opening or apply for a position, visit the Disney candidate disability accommodations FAQs. We will only respond to those requests that are related to the accessibility of the online application system due to a disability.

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Explore this Location Kissimmee, FL

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