Assistant Sourcing Manager, Sustainable Textiles and Materials Sourcing

Role Summary:
The Assistant Sourcing Manager (ASM), Sustainable Textiles and Materials Sourcing, assists with sustainable fabric sourcing and development and supports the physical and digital Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) fabric library. In this role, you will support a “fabric first” strategy and materials process discipline throughout the product-to-market process. In partnership with the Sourcing Manager, Sustainable Textiles, you are responsible for assisting in the execution of sustainable fabric sourcing strategies across categories and/or departments. The ASM supports development, collaboration, and achievement of product quality, time/cost efficiency, and revenue growth objectives.

The ASM supports the development of pre-season and in-season sustainable fabric sourcing. This role works cross-functionally and partners with Product Designers, Merchants, Sustainability Strategists, Technical Designers, and Regional Offices to assist in developing fabrics for products that realize the global vision. The ASM supports Product Design teams to help ensure that all fabrics meet sustainability targets, margin goal objectives, and are in alignment with the category sourcing strategy, driving optimal quality for Disney Branded Merchandise.

This role assists in the achievement of The Walt Disney Company (TWDC) 2030 Sustainable Materials goals. The ASM helps establish and maintain a working library of core and sustainable materials and trims within PLM and other resource tools. The individual contributes at all stages of the product pipeline, including assisting with fabric testing and in-season bulk fabric reviews. This role also assists with managing calendar deadlines, development tracking, and daily communication with Suppliers and internal business partners.

This position reports to the Sourcing Manager, Sustainable Textiles and Materials Sourcing. The ASM provides support and assistance with operational and organizational functions to develop and source sustainable fabrics under the strategic guidance of the Sourcing Manager.

Responsibilities

Include the following; other duties may be assigned.

• Assist the Sourcing Manager in building and maintaining the physical and digital PLM fabric, trim, yarn, and wash libraries with core, novelty, and sustainable options, including mill and costing data.
• Enter and maintain material data library in the PLM system, including directional costing and MOQs; update quarterly cost fluctuations under guidance.
• Assist in executing mill and vendor strategies on costing, placement, and production management of textiles and trims.
• Support cost negotiations and delivery terms with Suppliers; maintain fabric detail sheets and fabric headers for all fabrics in the library under supervision.
• Regularly update cross-functional teams on fabric and trims costing trends as directed.
• Assist the Sourcing Manager in identifying future fabric and material development requirements; support proposal of new material R&D opportunities.
• Assist in sourcing cost-effective sustainable alternatives and support negotiation of volume-related cost reductions.
• Utilize tools to support Category Sourcing Managers in costing simulations based on material selections.
• Assist in analyzing sustainable fabric needs across brands and categories; support recommendations to cross-functional partners for leveraging qualities/platforming fabrics across Brands and Categories, utilizing the fabric, trims, and wash resource library.
• Apply knowledge of sustainable fabrics and certifications; ensure fabrics meet safety and quality standards under guidance.
• Assist in research and development of fabrics, trims, print techniques, and washes with sustainable options for review with Design, working within aesthetic and cost parameters.
• Assist in facilitating review of production lots, swatches, and knit downs.
• Assist in maintaining QC log on bulk fabrics, including dye lots; catalog bulk approvals; gather and review Supplier reports on fabric defects and review results with mills under supervision.
• Assist in reviewing fabric submits and facilitate communication of approvals or comments to Suppliers in partnership with Product Design, Sourcing, and Brand Merchandising.
• Support seasonal and ongoing fabric development, including day-to-day meetings and communications with design, fabric mills, global sourcing, and overseas offices under guidance.
• Support cross-functional meetings to review fabric by populating agendas and recaps, identifying development charts with meeting notes, and communicating results of fabric reviews to Suppliers as directed.
• Support collaboration with Product Integrity team to ensure proposed materials meet all existing and foreseen Safety/Quality/Regulatory guidelines.
• Assist with daily communication and follow-up with vendors and fabric suppliers to ensure fabrics are being developed, delivered, costed, and produced appropriately, resolve routine issues, and ensure compliance with Disney processes, procedures, and quality standards under supervision.
• Assist in maintaining data integrity of the digital fabric library in the Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) Software.

Qualifications and Skills

• Technical understanding of fabric construction and performance.
• Demonstrated understanding of fiber, yarn, fabric, knitting, washing, dyeing, finishing, testing, and garment construction.
• Exposure to sourcing and production of textile products.
• Knowledge of sustainable fabric certifications and manufacturing processes.
• Effective communication skills with cross-functional partners and Suppliers/Manufacturers.
• Ability to assist with development of various fabrics and timelines in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work collaboratively with multiple design and development partners; a team player.
• Active self-starter and learner; ability to adapt quickly to changing business strategies and corporate sustainability priorities.
• Knowledge of Product Lifecycle Management System(s).
• Exposure to production manufacturing and product engineering, global trade regulations, global testing protocol, global product integrity, production cycle timeline, calendar management, fabric performance, and garment/product construction.
• MS Excel skills that can be used to combine and analyze data from various sources, and generate reports.
• Ability and desire to be flexible, adapt to change, and grow with organization.
• Schedule flexibility to accommodate global time zones.

Required Education

Bachelor’s degree in Textiles/Material Science/Merchandising/Product Development/Design, Retail Management, General/International Business, Supply Chain, or equivalent professional experience.

Work Arrangement:
This role is considered hybrid, which means the employee will spend most of their time (usually 4 days, Monday-Thursday) on-site from a Company designated location in Central Florida and the remainder of their time remotely.