DIRECTOR OF SOURCING

Director of Sourcing

SAUSALITO, CA (hybrid)

Serena and Lily is seeking a Director of Sourcing to join our team in Sausalito, California. This role will report to the Vice President of Sourcing and will have direct reports to mentor and guide. We are looking for an experienced individual who has strong knowledge in sourcing, production, and product development. You will identify opportunities and make recommendations. You will manage information across functions, leading and working closely with all cross-functional partners. This role will manage a large supplier base both domestically and internationally in a range of product types. Each day can range from small tasks to building large strategies for this role.

The ideal candidate is a strong and motivational leader, a strategic thinker, a collaborative cross-functional partner, and a reliable team player. You must also have a strong business acumen, an impressive work ethic, advanced presentation skills, a deep understanding and appreciation for the S&L customer, and a sincere commitment to the development of your direct reports.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Oversee sourcing teams and strategies across multiple categories or business units.
• Develop and execute long-term sourcing strategies aligned with organizational goals.
• Manage supplier partnerships and drive cost savings, efficiency, and innovation.
• Work closely with senior leadership to influence company-wide sourcing policies.
• Works directly with Agents/Vendors in all Furniture & Upholstery product categories. Vendors range from overseas to domestic importers.
• Managing and onboarding Domestic or Direct Import US vendors to suit Serena & Lily's packaging, labeling, and operations processes.
• Optimize sourcing procedures to attain maximum efficiency.
• Manage Calendar & timelines w/ cross-functional teams and vendors/agents to ensure on-time deliveries.
• Close working partnership with Design, Merchandising, Planning, DC, and Quality & Compliance.

PRESOURCING & STRATEGY

• Evaluate current supplier portfolio and introduce new suppliers to balance the sourcing matrix with strategic goals for growth.
• Identify, cultivate and maintain new and existing supplier relationships both domestically and internationally.
• Work with the design team during the initial development process to identify region or vendors for requested materials, finishes and products in the assigned product categories. Direct the sampling process by identifying markets to cost and sample.
• Executes and advises on vendor strategies to support design and merchandising strategies (including vendor allocation).
• Identify potential product in the assigned categories that present opportunities in new markets.
• Responsible for identifying and tracking vendor capabilities, including innovation in design and production (materials and techniques), quality, core competency, capacity, speed to market.
• Develop strategies to reduce core production lead times and increase speed to market

PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT

• Allocate designs to appropriate sources with support growth strategies.
• Deliver aesthetically correct samples that meet design/merchant vision.
• Develop and monitor pre-production activities (sample development, quotes, packaging, etc) to ensure all are completed in a timely manner.
• Negotiates favorable costs based on targets provided by Merchant team and effectively ensuring design and materials are aligned to either hit first cost target or make adjustments based on design and material direction.
• Work closely with merchants and design. Identifying opportunities for improving design execution, quality and cost.
• Strategically source, allocate and negotiate cost and deliveries. Improve IMU and reduce lead times.
• Improve vendor reliability through the management of vendor performance - provides feedback to suppliers on their performance.
• Work with vendors & internal teams on solutions for quality issues and production delays.

PRODUCT MANAGEMENT

• Anticipate and resolve issues. Negotiate for best delivery and ship dates.
• Monitor pre-production activities: collaborate with design/merchants to ensure all approvals completed before production; work with agents and vendors to ensure all performance/packaging/chemical testing is completed before production.
• Monitor purchase order milestones to ensure development is approved prior to ordering and any outstanding approvals are escalated to Sr Management.
• Work with vendors & internal teams on solutions for quality issues and production delays.
• Identify cost, quality, and leadtime opportunities for existing products.

CAPACITY

• Share major updates or changes from assortment strategies or adoptions that would affect the markets & allocation strategy.
• Troubleshoot capacity issues and develop long term capacity planning strategies.
• Assess and analyze vendor capacities and partner with planning teams to utilize projections and forecasts.

QUALITY

• Ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, including sustainability and ethical sourcing guidelines with guidance from QA/Compliance team
• Work closely with internal teams on reviewing returns-develop plans for damage or quality issue reductions. Identify inferior quality source and chargeback.
• Develop relationships with QA partners internally and internationally.
• Ensure standards are met for packaging and product testing.
• Work closely with vendors and agents to track necessary product and package testing.
• Leverage returns data to identify opportunities for issue reductions.
• Implement chargebacks for second quality production of product.

LEADERSHIP

• Manage and mentor a team of 4, including sourcing managers and assistants.
• Training in the following areas: S&L sourcing operating procedures, production and sourcing policies, technical, negotiation and communication skills.
• Promote the development of subordinates through supervision and training.
• Leadership experience managing teams working in a fast-paced environment.
• Pro-actively approach problem solving.
• Implement operational efficiencies.
• Adapt quickly to changes.
• Driven by deadlines with a high sense of urgency.
• Experience traveling overseas to evaluate vendors and to determine areas of improvement.
• Lead efforts to establish the sourcing function within the organization, including setting goals, defining metrics, and reporting on performance.
• Act as a change agent, driving the adoption of new processes and systems to enhance sourcing capabilities.
• Mentor and guide junior team members, providing training and support as needed.

PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT

• Focus on strategies, leadership qualities, and systems that foster the growth and success of individuals and teams
• Define a clear people development vision that aligns with the organization's goals. This includes identifying the skills, competencies, and leadership qualities required for future success.
• Encourage tailored development plans that address specific needs of individuals while aligning them with the broader organizational strategy
• Succession planning
• Support retention by career pathing and engagement strategies

REQUIREMENTS:

• A minimum of 8 years in a Hardlines Sourcing or Production Role. Experience in Furniture and Upholstery is preferred.
• Strong leadership, strategic thinking, and stakeholder management skills.
• Experience in managing teams and complex supplier negotiations.
• Intermediate to advanced understanding of manufacturing processes for Furniture and Upholstery categories.
• Knowledge in product sourcing internationally as well as domestically.
• Ability to manage small and large tasks simultaneously.
• Understanding of raw material properties, fabric, embroidery, construction, and finishes.
• Excellent communication skills
• Strong negotiation, financial reporting and quantitative analysis skills.
• Strong capacity planning and production management capabilities.
• Knowledge of product packaging and product testing.
• Logistics and supply chain management and coordination experience.
• Effective communicator with internal and external parties, must have the ability to work in/with cross functional teams.
• Proactive approach to problem solving, adapt quickly to changes.
• Demonstrates high level of organization and can quickly reprioritize based on the needs of the business.
• Detail oriented and driven by deadlines and high sense of urgency.
• Ability to manage production to the master calendar.
• Must be willing to accommodate off hours/overseas meetings.
• Travel required.
• Proficient reading, written and verbal language skills (English).
• Multi-cultural awareness and respect.
• College Degree required.

COMPENSATION:

• $150-180k per year is the anticipated starting base pay for this role. This range represents the low and high end of the anticipated base salary range for this role. The actual base pay is dependent upon many factors, such as: experience, education, and skills.
• Employees (and their families) are covered by medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance should they choose to participate in Serena & Lily's benefits. Employees can enroll in our company's 401k plan. During the first year of employment, full-time employees accrue twenty-one days of PTO and seven paid holidays throughout the year.

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