Sourcing Specialist: Homeware at Woolworths

Introduction

• Contribute towards the development of Sourcing and Supplier Strategy. Identify appropriate factories/suppliers/regions and manage the sourcing of product options aligned to the sourcing and product strategies.

Job description
Contribute to the development of the Sourcing and Supplier Strategy​

• Analyse and review Supplier performance scorecards (quality, OTIF, innovation and sustainability).​
• Review trends on Supplier delivery to financial KPI’s​.
• Identify opportunities for new Suppliers to close Supplier gaps / risks​.
• Consolidate inputs from Heads of Planning, Buying and Design on Product Category Strategy​.
• Identify Suppliers that meet the Business Innovation and Sustainability targets​.

Conduct Supplier Engagement, Communication and Performance Management​

• Lead end-to-end Supplier onboarding, engagement, and communication processes​.
• Create and issue requests for samples (only for Concept and Development Samples before costs are confirmed, and for In-Season Trade / Trend Updates). ​
• Mitigate any issues that may arise on the request and receipt of physical samples​.
• Conduct Supplier Performance conversations, identify performance issues and implement corrective actions​.
• Evaluate Supplier compliance with sustainability and ethics standards​.

Conduct Costing and Supplier Negotiation​

• Conduct product costings based on Tech Pack inputs from Technical Product Development​.
• Ensure an in-dept understanding of the Product aesthetic and technical requirements​
• Manage Requests for Quote.​
• Conduct Supplier negotiations to ensure the achievement of required financial KPIs – partner up with Buying on new Product Concepts / Volume Inputs / Inputs​
• Finalise cost, obtain approval on quotes and handover Formula / Development Style with Preferred Quote to Buying​.

Perform Capacity Planning and Management throughout the Season​

• Consolidate the required inputs from Planning​.
• Perform Capacity Planning and ensure that volume flows and drops are successfully communicated with Suppliers​.
• Continuously engage with Suppliers, track shipment and ensure that adjustments and updates are executed on during trade​.

 Manage Strategy Execution and Issue Resolution​

• Implement and manage Seasonal Trading Plans in conjunction with Planning and Buying, and work with Suppliers to revise and update production plans​.
• Monitor Supplier Strategy Execution, identify deviations from strategy, address issues with Supplier, Planning and Buying Teams. ​
• Oversee order management and product tracking, promptly communicating changes or delays to Group Planning and Buying Teams to achieve On-Time-In-Full (OTIF) targets​.
• Participate in relevant Trade Meetings to gain insights into trading actions that need to be executed​.

Minimum requirements

• 8 years or more Buying/Sourcing/Technical retail experience in a retail environment.
• Homeware experience preferred.
• Relevant business degree / diploma in Textiles, Fashion, Clothing product management
• Proven experience in Supplier negotiations
• Ability to travel both locally and internationally
• Supplier Management & Understanding of Imports and Supply Chain Logistics
• Production Management
• Negotiation Skills
• Commercial Acumen
• Order/contract management
• Project Management (running multiple seasons, priorities, WMC, Critical Path)
• Customer Centric ​
• Analytical​
• Data Driven Decision Making​
• Results Orientated ​
• Judgement & Decision Making ​
• Cross Functional Collaboration ​
• Strong Communication
• Highly Numerate & Analytical