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About the Sourcing Team

Execute strategic sourcing goals globally to address Company and Brand business needs within the organization. This position is responsible for working with multiple departments and communicating important Sourcing updates to the leadership team in Merchandising at WSI, Inventory at WSI, Product Development at WSI, Quality Assurance, and Global offices.

Overview of the role

Develop and implement sourcing strategies, both short (seasonal/annual) and long term (3-5yrs) for the assigned product categories. Research, identify and develop production sourcing markets and suppliers that meet the product supply requirements of the assigned categories.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with the design team and overseas offices/suppliers in assigned categories to:
• Execute creative designs
• Ensure product quality
• Meet on-time delivery
• Support speed to market
• Maximize profitability
• Minimize risk, e.g., diversifying country and supplier placement
• Develop and implement a product sourcing strategy in the assigned categories appropriate for each source region considering such factors as:
• Country competencies
• Supplier capabilities, capacities, and growth plans
• Country and vendor risk
• Understand and recommend ideas to support the global landscape needs
• Partner with the design team during the development process to identify source markets and suppliers for requested materials, finishes, and products in the assigned product categories.
• Direct the sampling process by identifying markets and suppliers to cost and sample.
• Identify opportunities to cost engineer products, leverage materials, and implement best practices across brands
• Manage sourcing processes and procedures in the assigned categories to successfully execute and deliver WSI products on time, which meet the design, quality, and value mission. This should include (but is not limited to) the following:
• Vendor Research and Development - Capabilities, capacity, and growth plans
• Material Research and Development
• Comparative Studies - Products, costs, and risk
• Cost Negotiations based on parameters from merchandising
• Production placement and reservations - (based on information from planning and merchandising)
• Identify potential products in the assigned categories that present opportunities in new markets
• Perform a consultant role for merchants and design regarding the following:
  • Identifying opportunities for improving design execution, quality, and cost

  • Executing enhancements on existing products

  • Problem-solving
• Partners with overseas offices and suppliers in managing the assigned categories.
• A close working partnership with buyers, design, and inventory.
• Manage an associate and/or cross-functional team
• Influence brand leadership and cross-functional partners to achieve a balanced global landscape for manufacturing.
• Update and maintain accurate product information via our PLM (Product Lifecycle Management) system
• Coordinates with all support areas on new developments: QA, Engineering, Testing, Inspections, Packaging, and Inventory.
  

Criteria

• 4+ years of college education (BA/BS)
• Minimum 3-5 years experience in offshore sourcing, buying/merchandising in a retail or manufacturing organization
• Strong knowledge of sourcing markets
• Travel required
• Ability to perform work onsite in the San Francisco offices full-time pending state, local, and Company return-to-work guidance during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
  

Our Mission Around Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

We firmly believe that working in a culture focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion spurs innovation, creates healthy and high-performing teams, and delivers superior customer experiences. We will create and nurture a global company culture where we confidently bring our authentic selves to work every day: where the only criteria for advancement are the quality of our work, the contributions we make to our teams and the business, and our ability to lead; and where our individual differences—whatever they may be—are valued, explored and appreciated.

Benefits Just for You

Depending on your position and your location, here are a few highlights of what you might be eligible for:

• A generous discount on all Williams-Sonoma, Inc. brands
• A 401(k) plan and other investment opportunities
• Paid vacations, holidays, and time off to volunteer
• Health benefits, dental and vision insurance, including same-sex domestic partner benefits
• Tax-free commuter benefits
• A wellness program that supports your physical, financial, and emotional health
  

Your Journey in Continued Learning

• In-person and online learning opportunities through WSI University
• Cross-brand and cross-function career opportunities
• Resources for self-development
• Advisor (Mentor) program
• Career development workshops and learning programs
• Speaker series
  

WSI will not commence an immigration case or "sponsor" an individual for this position at this time (for example, H-1B or other employment-based immigration).

This role is not eligible for relocation assistance.

Williams-Sonoma, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Williams-Sonoma, Inc. will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with the requirements of the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, or other applicable state or local laws and ordinances.