Manager, Sourcing - Bags & Belts

About the role

As the Manager of Sourcing for Bags and Belts at Quince, you will play a vital role in shaping our product offerings and ensuring that we maintain high standards of quality, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness. Your primary responsibility will be to identify and onboard compliant vendor partners across China and Southeast Asia, driving the sourcing strategy for our bags and belts category. You will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including merchandising, planning, and design, to align on cost and margin targets while fostering strong relationships with our manufacturing partners. This position demands a strategic thinker who is adept at negotiating terms and enhancing vendor performance through established KPIs.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Identify and onboard compliant vendor partners across China and Southeast Asia to expand our sourcing capabilities.
• Develop supplier scorecards and key performance indicators (KPIs) to monitor and improve partner performance consistently.
• Negotiate critical terms with suppliers, including minimum order quantities (MOQs), pricing, capacity planning, and lead times to ensure efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
• Assess the total capacity and production offerings from vendor partners to align with our business needs.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with factory owners and production leaders to ensure seamless operations and adherence to Quince's standards.
• Act as Quince's local ambassador, representing our brand values and commitment to quality and sustainability in all interactions with partners.
• Collaborate with merchandising, planning, and design teams to ensure alignment on cost and margin targets for new product developments.
• Work closely with the Product Development (PD) team to streamline timelines by addressing and resolving any factory bottlenecks.
• Support broader sourcing initiatives, including evening bags, hand-woven bags, and bag accessories, to enhance our product range.
• Maintain clear and transparent reporting on project status, risks, and vendor performance to ensure effective communication across teams.

Requirements

• A minimum of 10 years of experience in sourcing, product development, or supply chain roles, particularly within the leather and non-leather handbag industry; experience with belts and small leather goods (SLG) is advantageous.
• In-depth knowledge of leather, fabric, and hardware costing, as well as testing and manufacturing processes.
• A robust network of bag vendors based in Southeast Asia to facilitate sourcing and partnerships.
• Proven success in managing product development timelines, negotiating costs, and onboarding and training factories effectively.
• Proficiency in English, both written and spoken, to engage with international partners and teams.
• A Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Leather Goods, or a related field is required.
• Strong analytical skills to assess vendor performance and make data-driven decisions.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to foster collaboration and relationship-building with various stakeholders.

Nice to have

• Experience in a direct-to-consumer (DTC) business model, particularly in the retail or fashion sectors.
• Familiarity with sustainable sourcing practices and a passion for environmental responsibility in manufacturing.
• Knowledge of additional languages spoken in Southeast Asia to enhance communication with local vendors.
• Previous experience working with AI and analytics tools to drive sourcing strategies and efficiencies.

Skills & tools

• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel, for data analysis and reporting.
• Familiarity with sourcing and supply chain management software to streamline operations.
• Strong negotiation and contract management skills to effectively manage supplier agreements.
• Knowledge of quality control standards and practices in the manufacturing process.
• Ability to leverage analytical tools to assess market trends and vendor performance.
• Excellent project management skills to oversee multiple sourcing initiatives simultaneously.

Practical notes

• This position is based in Shenzhen or Shanghai, and candidates must be willing to travel as necessary to meet with vendors and oversee production processes.
• Quince offers a competitive salary package, commensurate with experience, along with benefits that support work-life balance and professional growth.
• Employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check, in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
• Quince is committed to fostering an inclusive workplace and encourages applications from diverse backgrounds and experiences, ensuring equal opportunity for all candidates.

At Quince, we are dedicated to challenging the norms of the retail industry by providing high-quality essentials at affordable prices. Our mission is to ensure that luxury is accessible to everyone, and we achieve this by leveraging innovative technologies and sustainable practices. Joining our team means becoming part of a dynamic, mission-driven organization where your contributions will have a meaningful impact on the future of retail. If you are passionate about sourcing, product quality, and sustainability, we invite you to apply for the Manager, Sourcing

Bags & Belts position and help us redefine what it means to offer exceptional value to our customers.