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