SOURCING SPECIALIST - MENSWEAR

at  Woolworths

POSITION SUMMARY

Industry: Wholesale & Retail Trade
Job category: Other: FMCG, Retail, Wholesale and Supply Chain
Location: Cape Town
Contract: Permanent
EE position: No

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 KPIs
• 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 Clothing environment and/or
• Relevant business degree / diploma in Textiles, Fashion, Clothing product management
• Understanding of the International and South African clothing industry.
• 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

Please refer the Job description for details