Director, Sourcing and Product Development
At Southern Tide, our mission is to share our love for the coastal lifestyle through premium products, experiences, and service.
We offer competitive benefits packages which may include generous vacation policy, health and wellness coverage, 401k with company match, discounted stock purchasing, options for education reimbursement, and amazing product discounts!
The Director, Sourcing and Product Development, is responsible for partnering with Design, Production, Merchants, Planning, and Vendors to develop product and improve cross functional productivity, execute strategies and drive decisions regarding cost, margin, vendor allocation, country of original allocation, fabric positioning, and quality. The Director will build a comprehensive long-term category strategy including Mill, Vendor and Country of Origin. The Director, Sourcing and Product Development must lead while also “do” and provide hands-on support and direct work at all levels and within all areas of responsibility. This role will establish relationships by building trust with internal and external stakeholders and developing and executing strategies to meet business outcomes.
Crew Position:
Costing/Sourcing Strategy
• Develop and lead seasonal and annual sourcing and placement strategies for all categories.
• Understand macro-economic impacts on supply chain, assess risks or opportunities and address in Divisional and Category Sourcing Strategies.
• Lead cost meetings throughout the development process and at milestone meetings. Present quantitative and analytical data from seasonal hindsight reports, costing tool, and margin rolls to influence decision making.
• Manage all cost, MOQ and lead-time negotiations with vendors to ensure financials goals and business needs are prioritized.
• Collaborate with Planning and Merchandise teams for projections as well as seasonal and long term greige commitments to negotiate costs, lead times and flexible inventory plans.
• Oversee and enter data as needed to ensure accurate maintenance and up to date vendor, COO, and cost related data in all tools and systems including but not limited to costing tools and Product Master.
Product Development
• Own and manage calendar and identify team and vendor specific deliverables.
• Be a champion of product innovation and new ideas that will support explosive growth for the company.
• Drive process improvement initiatives to manage the product development pipeline more efficiently.
• Oversee and direct team that will review all tech packs for product accuracy and clarity from design hand off through salesman sample stage to bulk. Support tech pack development as needed.
• Oversee and provide hands on support to the team that will manage product development and tracking processes from initial sample stage through salesman sample stage and bulk to ensure calendar deadlines are met through use of WIPs and tracking charts.
• Develop and maintain tools and processes that will keep track of seasonal product development cost against budget and LY. Own and manage season to date roll up that will track to budget.
Vendor Management
• Meet with vendors to develop and strengthen relationships, to better understand sourcing capabilities, negotiate costs/lead-times, resolve outstanding issues and source innovation. Travel to meet with vendors and explore new sourcing opportunities as budget allows
• Partner with Oxford CSR team regarding on-boarding process for new vendors in collaboration with Technical Design, Production and Compliance to ensure vendors understand company guidelines and procedures to complete product development and bulk production on time.
Leadership and Management:
• Manage, lead and oversee attracting, hiring, coaching, retaining, and motivating a world class team.
• Monitor and evaluate the performance and contributions of direct reports and staff in attaining business goals and objectives and provide feedback and development opportunities as appropriate.
• Oversee team to complete all deliverables on time according to development calendars.
• Perform other duties as needed to help support the overall business.
You will enjoy this job if you...
• Demonstrate a high degree of professionalism in communication, attitude and teamwork with business partners, peers, and management.
• Have a high level of taste and proven track record for creative fashion design.
• Have strong leadership skills in team building, mentoring and managing creative talent.
• Are confident in making decisions in a fast-paced, changing environment.
• Have a positive, driven attitude, eager to make a difference.
Who we would like to meet:
• Bachelor’s degree in Fashion Design, Product Management, or equivalent experience.
• Generally, 10+ years in apparel design, product development, and/or sourcing.
• 5+ years in supervisory/management role.
• Experience in creative fashion design services and project management.
• Experience with aspirational brands and retailing.
• Experience with multiple categories/full assortments.
• Proficient with Adobe Suite.
This Company is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against qualified applicants based on based on race, color, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, religious creed, sexual orientation, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, age, military and veteran status, marital status, physical or mental disability, protected medical condition, genetic information, reproductive health decision-making, lawful off-duty use of marijuana, or any other characteristic protected by law. If you need an accommodation to complete an online application, please contact the location you are applying to or contact us at HRRecruitingandonboarding@oxfordinc.com or 1-888-725-1899.
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Retail Apparel and Fashion
Product Management
Full-time