Sourcing Specialist

Our client is one of the global leaders in the upholstered furniture industry.

Location

Hong Kong or Shanghai

Report to

CEO

Responsibilities

• Constantly monitor market conditions and develop relationships with potential factory partners to ensure company can respond to changes in price conditions, trade regulations, commodity and labour rates, and any other global pressures that may impact the competitiveness or continuity of company's supply chain.
• Proactively research new factories and/or regions to drive competitive pricing while ensuring that network capacity, quality levels, and production lead times meet company's needs. Develop risk mitigation measures to ensure continuity of supply.
• Establish and maintain positive, productive relationships with key business partners.
• Lead strategic meetings and negotiations with key suppliers, regularly evaluate factory performance against vendor scorecards, and implement effective strategies to drive sustained quality levels, on-time shipments, and cost competitiveness.
• Lead team to anticipate, monitor, and resolve production issues to ensure quality merchandise and timely deliveries.
• Travel is necessary to strengthen relationships, advance company's strategies and goals, monitor key programs in production, and evaluate factories for capabilities and execution.
• Manage department budget, regularly monitor expenses against plan, and ensure that payables and/or other finance issues are resolved.

Requirements

• A minimum of 10 years of progressive sourcing or supply chain experience is required.
• Deep knowledge of the manufacturer competitive landscape, in particular for furniture, home décor in Greater China and Southeast Asia.
• Expertise in sourcing and negotiation strategies and practices and strong understanding of cost drivers throughout the supply chain.
• Prior experience managing/coaching direct reports, assessing talent, and building teams. Ability to lead, motivate, mentor, and coach others to maintain a positive work culture and effectively manage staff.
• Familiarity with testing and regulatory requirements for home furniture, able to assess and mitigate risk of product damage, defectives, and recalls.
• Excellent communication/influence skills and ability to forge effective cross-functional and cross-cultural relationships. High degree of written and spoken fluency in Cantonese, English and Mandarin is a plus.